Giving Linux a bash

[Inky Pete]

Right, I've been having problems with my old lappy with it slowing down and locking up so I decided to do a reinstall of XP from the recovery partition. This went smoothly enough, but didn't solve my problem - it also restored the machine to SP2 and I then found that Windows Update wouldn't work so couldn't update it to SP3 and get all the latest patches etc.

Next I used a generic XP install disk (having first retrieved my product key from the lappy) to do a full format of the hard drive and a clean install. Again, this went smoothly and Windows Update seems to be working - but now I can't activate XP either using the online tool or the phone based one, and I've got 27 days until XP locks me out.

Neither Microsoft nor the lappy manufacturer (Lenovo) are being any help at all and I'm just going round and round in circles.

So I'm thinking about going the Linux route, only I've never played with it and know next to nothing about it. From the reading I've done there appear to be a number of different versions and "distributions".

How do I know which one to pick? And does anyone have a link to a good, step by step installation guide? I can use the wife's lappy to have a guide on screen to follow while I'm performing surgery on mine.

[aeromech3]

I did this very same exercise with my Son's dated Dell but with an IT friend, whom 1st ran a virtual Linux on it as the XP was corrupt, then he managed to get the photo file data off the hard drive, bought a cheap Hard drive and loaded Linux Mint Nadia 13. Now we downloaded this by burning the ISO onto a DVD disc as it was a bit big for a CD being 968MB and note the burning word (Ashampoo Burning but what a pain for repeat mail to update) this was then loaded into the Dell and after that just followed the instructions.
http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=120 for 64 and =119 for 32 bit, chose Europe UK mirror and there are two sites..
Now as I understand this version whilst good is only supported for updates to 2014 but other Linux such as Maya much longer 2017. I now also have it on my newly built pc as the W7 I bought legit kept giving BSD and I know that now because I don't get BSD with Linux and don't need to use an AV. Tthough I also have to remember when copying text documets using Libre Office, to tick the microsoft 2003 and not the default ODF it works well then to play back on my XP Compaq laptop.
Mint users guide uploaded but a bit Big 1.5MB

[Icm76]

How do I know which one to pick?

only by trying them out for yourself can you know which is best for you, you probably already realised that ubuntu, mint and fedora are three of the biggest known so I'd be inclined to try those. The biggest differences are found in the desktop interface, a decent enough summary here: http://www.howtogeek.com/163154/linux-u ... ironments/

step by step installation guide?

you don't need one for the most mainstream distributions, you just put the .iso file on a disc or USB stick, let it run, click intall and then choose the language options as it asks you. When you feel comfortable you can delve into the more advanced options such as creating custom partitions and selecting specific applications to install (or not) as you see fit.

[BillyGoat]

Right, I've been having problems with my old lappy with it slowing down and locking up so I decided to do a reinstall of XP from the recovery partition. This went smoothly enough, but didn't solve my problem - it also restored the machine to SP2 and I then found that Windows Update wouldn't work so couldn't update it to SP3 and get all the latest patches etc.

As long as the product was activated, it would pull the updates down - first thing I'd have checked is the date and time was correct, this often throws out installs of the older product.

Next I used a generic XP install disk (having first retrieved my product key from the lappy) to do a full format of the hard drive and a clean install. Again, this went smoothly and Windows Update seems to be working - but now I can't activate XP either using the online tool or the phone based one, and I've got 27 days until XP locks me out.

Lenovo nor Microsoft are actually responsible here, it's kindof your issue. The key on the COA is SKU specific - it only works with the version that was it was paired too, which appears to be XP SP2, OEM media - chances are you've either got a different SP, or more likely a retail CD - they won't match, nor activate. You either need the correct media, or a new key (not likely) OR re-install the origional software, if you have the option.

Neither Microsoft nor the lappy manufacturer (Lenovo) are being any help at all and I'm just going round and round in circles.

Sorry to say, that will be the case unless you can do the above. It's not Microsoft's problem (technically) and Lenovo only support the software that was preinstalled, which you no longer have.

So I'm thinking about going the Linux route, only I've never played with it and know next to nothing about it. From the reading I've done there appear to be a number of different versions and "distributions".

How do I know which one to pick? And does anyone have a link to a good, step by step installation guide? I can use the wife's lappy to have a guide on screen to follow while I'm performing surgery on mine.

Do you have any original recovery media from your laptop? Odds are you won't be able to get a new copy, it won't be replicated any more and they only have an obligation to supply it for a reasonable time - laptops got to be a fair age by now?

Tell me what media you have used :)

[Inky Pete]

Cheers BG.

Yes, laptop is quite "old" in laptop terms (maybe 7 years). But that's a lot newer than my TV, washing machine, car, heating boiler, etc. and they are all still working perfectly - I've never understood how software with no moving parts can get "old" and wear out.

When I reinstalled XP from the recovery partition the date, time and timezone were definitely correct but Windows Update would fail every time with an error code 0x80244019. I tried it with anti-virus and firewall disabled after finding something on the internet which mentioned that these could cause problems but still no joy, neither Windows Update nor Automatic Updates would work and my installation remained stubbonly at SP2.

Since the laptop wasn't supplied with any recovery media I then used an XP Home Edition SP2 disc which I borrowed from a friend - after first using Berarc Advisor to retrieve my 25 digit activation key. This brought me to SP2 and now Automatic Updates appears to work and has installed SP3, but it still needs to be actuvated and Windows Update won't let me past this when I run it manually.

I'd have thought that my activation key was my proof of ownership and that any sensible business would allow its use when reinstalling from another source - but hey, Microsoft have never been accused of putting their customers first. Looks like I've been screwed by deliberate built in obselescence.

Hence my thought of abandoning Microsoft altogether and going for one of the Linux versions. Only question is which one.

[BillyGoat]

Cheers BG.

Yes, laptop is quite "old" in laptop terms (maybe 7 years). But that's a lot newer than my TV, washing machine, car, heating boiler, etc. and they are all still working perfectly - I've never understood how software with no moving parts can get "old" and wear out.

When I reinstalled XP from the recovery partition the date, time and timezone were definitely correct but Windows Update would fail every time with an error code 0x80244019. I tried it with anti-virus and firewall disabled after finding something on the internet which mentioned that these could cause problems but still no joy, neither Windows Update nor Automatic Updates would work and my installation remained stubbonly at SP2.

Since the laptop wasn't supplied with any recovery media I then used an XP Home Edition SP2 disc which I borrowed from a friend - after first using Berarc Advisor to retrieve my 25 digit activation key. This brought me to SP2 and now Automatic Updates appears to work and has installed SP3, but it still needs to be actuvated and Windows Update won't let me past this when I run it manually.

I'd have thought that my activation key was my proof of ownership and that any sensible business would allow its use when reinstalling from another source - but hey, Microsoft have never been accused of putting their customers first. Looks like I've been screwed by deliberate built in obselescence.

Hence my thought of abandoning Microsoft altogether and going for one of the Linux versions. Only question is which one.

Pants you've wiped the recovery partition off, or we could have sorted it.

That's just it, a COA isn't proof of anything really - a genuine licence is actually formed of multiple parts, laid out in the agreement (valid installation, COA and some other bits). As it's OEM licence, it WAS all valid, but now it's not as it's not 'complete'. I know that doesn't help you much.

I know it's easy to blame Microsoft in this instance, but I liken it to buying a car - proof of ownership isn't the key, it's the car, keys and papers. If you swap the car, would Ford give you a new key?

Retail works slightly differently, but it's got it's own thing.

Can you tell me what is on the disc? All of it - part number, etc? It won't be anything identifiable to your mate/you, obviously....

Can't help with the linux choice though, as said above, it's a bit of personal choice - the beauty of them being free, try them all

BG

[Inky Pete]

The disc says "Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition", "Includes Service Pack 2", "Version 2002", "copyright 2004", "0504 Part No. X10-59483"

Don't really want to spend ages trying out loads of different Linux versions, I could just do with knowing which one looks, feels and works most like the XP I'm used to using.

[BillyGoat]

GAgh!! When the missis gets back with the car, I'll come back to you about my thoughts......It's got something I NEED, typical

Doesn't Joiner John user linux? Where is he..... I reckon most won't be like XP, as they try to get AWAY from Windows...

Good luck, will leave this alone now unless I can help with XP side (if you want it).

BG

[Icm76]

Don't really want to spend ages trying out loads of different Linux versions, I could just do with knowing which one looks, feels and works most like the XP I'm used to using.

Fair enough. I have tried a lot and am only interested in a desktop interface designed for a desktop user with a mouse and keyboard input. For what it's worth, my $0.02...

KDE - hate it, extremely slow, buggy and full of counter intuitive design choices
XFCE - quite good, but looks out of date and more hassle to do simple things (like add a generic usb camera to transfer the files)
GNOME 3 - hate it, arrogant ****s who lead the GNOME project removed loads of functionality and think copying Apple and brain dead tablet interfaces is the way to go
Unity - hate it, feels alien and restrictive
Mate - probably OK, GNOME 2 was actually pretty good overall. I tried Mate but it appeared to be stuck with an archaic look e.g. no transparencies
Cinnamon - what I've settled on for now, it works like you would expect a mouse and keyboard desktop interface to work. The design intent is there but it's still pretty new (possibly some bugs still and features still need to be added)

So assuming Cinnamon is the best choice, Mint is the distribution to go for. However there are some niggles with MInt - it's built to make money for the owner so e.g. Firefox isn't stock, there are some annoying things about it (some I worked around)

When I first tried different distros I settled on Fedora for a long time. It has a good forum, but the upgrade cycle is relentless and gets a bit wearing. Still I may yet go back to Fedora once it's easy to get Cinnamon on it easily and fully stable

[joinerjohn]

JJ signing in on this thread. Icm76, as the lappy is getting on a bit now, you could try Ubuntu. Go for version 11.04 first (newest is V 13.04, but there's some issues with it) Your best bet is to download it and save it to a USB stick using a program called Unetbootin (google it and there's full instructions for downloading and saving to your USB stick) Start your lappy, but before it fires up get into the bios (could be pressing the F2, or F8 key before it fires up (Lenovo will advise)) then alter the first boot device so it will boot from usb. Put your usb stick (with Ubuntu on it) into the usb drive and exit the bios. Your computer should then boot into Ubuntu. Select Try Ubuntu and it should load the standard Ubuntu desktop environment c/w Firefox web browser, Libre Office suite, an email client. All of which will work as intended. Have a play around with it. Icons are all fairly standard, but appear on the left hand side of the screen. Up the top of the screen there's the win equivalent start button (on the far right) the time, email client and connection status bar. If your happy with it, when you go to shut down the lappy, you'll get the option to install Ubuntu to the HDD. This is where it will ask if you want to install it alongside the Windows OS or overwrite it. You have to make the decision though, I honestly can't advise one way or the other, as mine was installed to a brand new HDD with no OS.
Before installing, back up your stuff that's already on the HDD (copy everything you want saving, to whatever media you want) If you use a big enough USB stick, you can make this persistent, (so anything you do on Ubuntu and want to save , is saved to the USB stick and you can keep booting purely from the USB stick. ) Any programs you download and install are saved to the USB stick too).
Anyway, there's lots of flavours of Linux, which you can try, before settling on one OS (or even 2 or 3) (you can set it up so you can boot any OS on the HDD, but this can get quite complicated when you start messing about with the GRUB Menu)

One thing you'll find, with any Linux OS though is the "Terminal" A lot like the Windows MS Dos prompt. There's lots of neat things you can do in it (including installing new programs etc) I tend to steer fairly clear of it though (as it's easy to either get lost, or blugger it up completely) (which I have done once before) I tend to use the Ubuntu Software Centre, to download and install programs. (as it does it all automatically)
Whichever of the many Linux OS's you settle on though, there are plenty of forums and websites offering advice. Forums tend to throw up lots of answers to problems which do involve using the Terminal though. (why do a lot of forum users seem to think absolute beginners would be either comfortable, using the terminal, or even understand a lot of the commands?)
Most of all,,, Have fun.

[Icm76]

...Icm76, as the lappy is getting on a bit now...

I think you mean Inky Pete? anyway...

...since you bring up Terminal, this is one area where Cinnamon is trying to help 'normal' users, would be believe that in Nemo you can actually right click on a folder and open it with root privileges less buggering about with Terminal to CHMOD or CHOWN files, or opening Nautilus with an su - command

GRUB2 is a doddle now with the Grub Customizer, it'll scan the partitions and detect all available OSs and all you need to do as the user is click save when it's done.

[Joelc]

Fluxbox is the way forward on Linux - although not for the novice.

Linux Mint and Ubuntu are generally the two I would recommend for novices.

Oh, and to fix the 0x80244019 error, you usually need to download SP3 manually and install it. The latest windows update site needs SP3 - its available here: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/deta ... 1555D4F3D4

It would be worth looking to move to something else - XP will become EOL in April next year - so no more updates.

[joinerjohn]

Mucho apologies Icm76. (combination of this hot weather and a bit too many cooling pints). I've stuck with Ubuntu since version10.10. Still make silly mistakes and get my system messed up though (only very infrequently I might add)
Bloody computer overheated last night and froze. Had me worried when it kept asking if I wanted to boot into a previous version, or recovery mode, console etc. A good clean out with a combination of compressed air and the hoover, got it up and running again. I'm now looking at using Conky so I can monitor processor temp on my desktop, but it looks rather daunting, writing the conky script. (will do a bit more research before trying it)
PS If I'm off for a few days, it'll be because I've boogered it up.

[wine~o]

Is there anything wrong with Windholes 7??

[Inky Pete]

Only got half a gig of RAM on the lappy so doubt it would run Win7.

I'm quite happy to stick with XP, even after Microsoft stop supporting it. XP works, and doesn't require me to upgrade or replace expensive and perfectly functional hardware just to be able to do all the same stuff.