Forum Archive Home -> Computer -> Instead of using Windows 7
Instead of using Windows 7 | ||||||
| rallynavvie posted 2009 Oct 30 07:59 | ||||||
| While I was back home for a death in the family this past weekend my parents asked if I could take a look at their ailing desktop and see if I could breath some new life into it. I didn't hold out much hope as they've done a good job of crudding up XP over the years and the desktop itself is an 8 year old Dell system with a 1.6 P4 and 512MB memory. I had copies of Windows 7 available to me but I decided that it was the end of Windows for them for now. They have laptops with Windows on them if they really need it but I decided to load Ubuntu on their desktop to start familiarizing them with a Linux OS.
It's been a while since I've used Linux as a native host OS though I use Ubuntu daily in a VM. Install process went well and after all the updates were applied and the system settings tweaked I was amazed to see how well the old PC ran! They really only use it for internet, email, and office applications and I had done some testing with their office docs in my VM to make sure they'd work after the switch. I've had them using Firefox for a couple years now so they're familiar with its interface but I did have to teach them about AdBlock and NoScript, even though I have a pretty decent list for both that I loaded up for them. I'm somewhat proud to report that they've taken to Ubuntu very well this week. They both love how much more responsive the system is and how Ubuntu seemed to fix all the issues they were having with XP. And since they can't really install applications from the net (they have to use the Add Program option where the apps are often tested and reliable) so it's going to be forever before they can mess it up. Their peripherals, like the digital camera and scanner, are even working without their bloatware now. And their printer is shared to the wireless so they can print from anywhere (even though I could have set up XP to do it the Linux implementation is a lot nicer). Start converting, people. If my folks can use it and like it then others should be able to use it and like it. | ||||||
| freebird73717 posted 2009 Oct 30 08:20 | ||||||
| Bravo! I applaud you for getting them to try Linux and ubuntu is a great place to start. For a good majority of people that just do email, internet, and office linux is all they really need anyway. | ||||||
| vcdlover posted 2009 Oct 30 11:49 | ||||||
| I am interested in Ubuntu as well. My work place gave me an IBM T42 which had Intel Due Core 1.6 and 512 RAM. It is running XP Pro and it seems slow. I want to experiment Ubuntu, but my fear is that there are no drivers for T42. I just visited the IBM site, but there's no driver for other OS's.
Any idea how to get started? Thanks | ||||||
| edDV posted 2009 Oct 30 12:00 | ||||||
Google the laptop model number + "Linux" and see if anyone has figured it out. | ||||||
| vcdlover posted 2009 Oct 30 12:21 | ||||||
Thanks edDV. I just searched the web and found some answers. The Ubuntu should detect all devices and install drivers for them automatically. I'll give it a try this weekend. | ||||||
| rallynavvie posted 2009 Oct 30 12:23 | ||||||
| Yeah, I was surprised that my Sony Vaio SZ-series laptop had most of its drivers available for Ubuntu, and that includes the biometric.
Download the Ubuntu ISO for your system (desktop 32-bit or 64-bit) and boot to it. There's a "live CD" option that allows you to run Ubuntu from the CD and see if it can detect all of your devices once it's loaded. | ||||||
| disturbed1 posted 2009 Oct 30 12:27 | ||||||
| @vcdlover
http://www.thinkwiki.org all about IBM/Lenovo laptops.
I'm sure you already did, but set up ssh and vnc so you can give them remote assistance when needed. A few years back when we lived in AZ, and my in-laws lived in OH, I did this for them. It's nice to ssh in and apply any security updates/patches, or install new programs without having to walk someone through it over the phone. | ||||||
| vcdlover posted 2009 Oct 30 12:46 | ||||||
| Thanks all for suggestions.
No doubt that I still love Windows. I just spent several $$$ for a copy of Windows 7 Ultimate (for my main workhorse PC) and another copy of Windows 7 Home Upgrade for my Toshiba laptop. I just want to try Ubuntu to see if I could get hooked. That's my weekend project other than watching college football and NFL. | ||||||
| tun.tin posted 2009 Oct 30 12:58 | ||||||
| I have a stripped xp lite version only 100MB iso just for magicjack/file sharing and it has been running 24/7 over a year now without problem. Windows still rocks :D | ||||||
| mh2360 posted 2009 Oct 30 13:53 | ||||||
I would expect it to "rock" for the price they charged for it. :roll: Linux rocks for no other reason than it is 100% free. | ||||||
| MJA posted 2009 Oct 30 19:31 | ||||||
add more memory($30)+format= fast born again laptop :) | ||||||
| 3Simon7 posted 2009 Oct 30 20:51 | ||||||
| There is also a very small version of linux available for older and slower PCs.
http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/ http://www.amazon.com/Official-Damn-Small-Linux-Book/dp/0132338696 | ||||||
| vcdlover posted 2009 Oct 31 07:45 | ||||||
| Now there's a problem. Ubuntu was installed and everything seemed to be successful. When it restarted, it said "error: no such device: 4f8d52ed and etc. Press any key to continue." I've tried to install it three times and it still said the same message. I didn't change anything other than following the 6 steps. Ubuntu didn't give me any warning about any device. The Prepare disk space option, I chose Erase and use the entire disk. It shows the hard drive below the line SCSI1 (0,0,0) (sda) - 40.0 GB ATA. The blue bar above said The computer has Ubuntu 9.10 (9.10) on it. Have I done anything wrong?
Thanks for any suggestion | ||||||
| freebird73717 posted 2009 Oct 31 07:57 | ||||||
| That's an error that I haven't seen before and a quick google check didn't give me anything based on what you wrote. If anybody else doesn't have any more ideas then try posting the exact error message at the ubuntu forums for some detailed help.
http://ubuntuforums.org/ edit specifically check out this thread http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1305819 | ||||||
| MJA posted 2009 Oct 31 07:59 | ||||||
| Ubuntu for netbook wont run on my ASUS Eee PC 2G Surf(2GB hard drive,512mb memory) ,but I have no issue with Microxp sp3 | ||||||
| disturbed1 posted 2009 Oct 31 08:08 | ||||||
I'm going to guess that you followed the installer's instructions which were only 6 steps long? Did you install Grub to the MBR? error: no such device: 4f8d52ed and etc. The above is as ambiguous in Linux as me stating I get a pop up with some buttons in Windows :) :) Is this error: no such device directly after boot up - before the splash screen - during the splash screen - after the splash screen - 4f8d52ed looks like part of an UUID (hard drive identifier). If that's the case, the rest of your error message might contain (para-phrased) failure to find root device. There's a number of things might have happened. Usually it's because Grub was installed to the incorrect drive/partition. --edit-- Damn freebird73717 beat me to it ;) | ||||||
| vcdlover posted 2009 Oct 31 08:11 | ||||||
Thanks freebird The message seems to change every time each installation, but error: no such device: read the same. I just reintalled in again and this time it gave me this code 9bb7bb41-7254-463e-b46d-742218a08805 Failed to boot default entries. Press any key to continue. I was playing with the demo, it seems to be very nice OS and quite challenging. Thanks | ||||||
| vcdlover posted 2009 Oct 31 08:18 | ||||||
disturbed1, After restart, there's a splash screen GRUB loading. When I force it to restart again, it shows another screen GUN GRUB version 1.97 beta4. It gave me 4 options like Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-14-generic. Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-14-generic. (recovery mode). Memory test (memtest86+) and Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200). | ||||||
| vcdlover posted 2009 Oct 31 08:24 | ||||||
I just went to http://ubuntuforums.org/ and found the exact issue like that poster r6ual which was posted a few minutes ago. His (her) title reads 9.10 installs but fails to load. Maybe IBM doesn't like Ubuntu? Thanks | ||||||
| disturbed1 posted 2009 Oct 31 08:50 | ||||||
| There are more than a couple of bugs in Launchpad about grub2 just prior to the release, and not all Thinkpad owners. I'm really surprised Ubuntu moved to grub2 as the default boot loader. There's a reason grub2 is labeled as unstable. Hell even Arch Linux - which is considered bleeding edge doesn't ship grub2 as default.
To fix this - See if you can boot in recovery mode. Sooner or latter someone on the Ubuntu forums will post how to fix this. If recovery doesn't work either, you'll need a live cd. Mount your hard drive, and edit it that way. Wait on Ubuntu to respin the installation CDs (if they ever do). Do what other in the same position as yourself have done - install an older version then upgrade to the latest. Attempt to try this https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Grub2#Recover%20Grub%202%20via%20LiveCD Don't forget about these distros either :) http://www.vectorlinux.com/ http://www.goblinx.com.br/en/ http://zenwalk.org/ Good Luck, and have fun! | ||||||
| vcdlover posted 2009 Oct 31 09:09 | ||||||
Thanks disturbed1 I followed your link and found the older version 8.04.3 and downloading it right now. I'll try it when it's done. In the mean time, I'm installing version 9.10 on my ancient ComPag Armada M700 to see if it works or not. Will report back what I see. Thanks again | ||||||
| rallynavvie posted 2009 Oct 31 12:11 | ||||||
| Strange that I've never had an issue installing Ubuntu on anything. I thought for sure there would be something wrong with the install on the 8 year old Dell Dimension desktop. My Vaio laptop didn't have an issue with it either. You're probably on the right path installing the older version. 9.10 just came out this week so I would have recommended going back to 9.04 to see if that works. | ||||||
| freebird73717 posted 2009 Oct 31 12:37 | ||||||
Same here. But then the latest I've installed was 8.04. I'll probably install 9.04 soon myself. | ||||||
| vcdlover posted 2009 Oct 31 13:01 | ||||||
I just finished installing 9.10 on my ComPaq with no issue. But, the laptop is ancient so ti's very slow. Now, I've got version 8.04.3 installed on the Thinkpad, it works fine. I'm then trying to upgrade to 9.10, but no success. I follow direction from the forum Start System/Administration/Update Manager. It didn't detect 9.10. Put the CD in, it opens it but doesn't in install. I'll try to download 9.04 to see if it works. Stay tune | ||||||
| vcdlover posted 2009 Nov 01 10:28 | ||||||
| OK, to follow up
I was able to run 9.10 on my Thinkpad by installing 9.04 first then run the upgrade with no issue. My previous issue was that I installed 8.04 first. Ubuntu didn't allow 8.04 to 9.10. Everything is running fine now. I'm still learning how to locate each directory and it'll take time. I notice that the Thinkpad is running faster now. I would say about 30% faster. Well, not everything is smooth. I download AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 8.5 for Linux and install it. The problem is, I couldn't find the location after successful installing. Based on the help from a link provided by Ubuntu, it said You can find AVG Antivirus under Applications > Accessories > AVG for Linux Workstation. Unfortunately, there's no AVG found under that directory. Another issue, every time it restarts, it always prompts to enter the wireless connection code even though I choose remember. Any help is appreciated. Thanks | ||||||
| Poppa_Meth posted 2009 Nov 01 11:13 | ||||||
| In my limited Ubuntu experience (I'm just starting to tinker with it myself) the free Avast AV is much better than AVG is on Linux anyway. | ||||||
| disturbed1 posted 2009 Nov 01 11:14 | ||||||
| Why are you guys installing an antivirus in the first place? Running a mail server or something :) | ||||||
| rallynavvie posted 2009 Nov 01 11:44 | ||||||
Yeah there aren't many viruses afflicting Ubuntu these days. Maybe as more people migrate to it someday but since most Ubuntu users are generally more technology savvy I don't think there's much market for viruses. | ||||||
| Poppa_Meth posted 2009 Nov 02 05:51 | ||||||
| I run it as a precaution just because all my other rigs are Windows. | ||||||
| vcdlover posted 2009 Nov 02 06:59 | ||||||
My Thinkpad which runs Ubuntu is connected to the home file server (all Windows) and it is a preventive action. I think I started to like Ubuntu and I'll spend more time reading and playing with it. It is a new experience. I'd tried RedHat before, but it wasn't joyable to play with so it was ditched. I'll try a different one tonight if I could get any anti-virus app running. Thanks | ||||||
| disturbed1 posted 2009 Nov 02 07:09 | ||||||
That sounds like a reason to run an antivirus then. Though, unless you are installing ill gotten wares with Wine, and Wine has write access to the machine .... :) I guess it is better safe than sorry!
AVG-Linux does not get favorable reviews. F-Prot, Avast, Kaspersky, and AntiVir, for the most part, are well liked. There is the old standard ClamAV to look at too. It's been awhile since I've had to use a Windows antivirus in Linux. The last time was to rescue someone's system, AntiVir did the job. Haven't personally looked any of the other solutions besides ClamAV. Just Google search any of the above names +Linux. | ||||||
| kenmo posted 2009 Nov 03 09:45 | ||||||
| Take a look at Mandriva 2009 (Gnome desktop)... I've been playing with linux since Caldera had a distro. Tried Ubuntu, Mepis, Suse/OpenSuse and I much prefer Mandriva 2009. It's one of the easiest OS installs I've ever done...
It's now a toss up between Mandriva 2009 Gnome or Windows 7 as my favorite desktop OS... But I have to give a slight nod to Win7 as most of my photo editing and 2D/3D imaging apps are not yet ported to Linux... | ||||||
| vcdlover posted 2009 Nov 03 19:35 | ||||||
Hi Kenmo Which Mandriva do you have? I went to their site and downloaded the mandriva-linux-one-2009.1-GNOME-europe-americas-cdrom-i586.iso. It didn't have any option to install. It boots from the CD and runs from the CD. I play with it little bit and seem to like it. Now I want to try it in real environment. Thanks | ||||||
| rallynavvie posted 2009 Nov 04 06:53 | ||||||
| I was talking to my folks again last night about their newly-installed Ubuntu system and they've liked it so far. It does their email, internet, and office work just fine and my dad said he never recalled that old PC ever being as responsive as it is right now. They've even used GIMP for some photo editing. I'm really glad they took to it so well, I was worried I'd be getting a lot of support calls afterward. I did get an email from my dad, the cynic, saying "Linux has a strange glow that worries me." :lol: | ||||||
| edDV posted 2009 Nov 04 12:03 | ||||||
As far as parental support, I was with you up until you said GIMP :o Email and banking can be done from the browser so all are equal. You can boot into the browser. Windows does better at centralizing user documents. Better even than Mac at that. Linux document/file management takes some learning curve. MS Office is great if you've mastered it at work but is overkill for typical parents. OpenOffice may be too complicated as well. They need a simplified "OpenWriter" that handles word processing, photo insert and document publishing in a simplified way. I think Mac wins for basic photo editing with included software although Win7 Live is catching up. GIMP is way too geek for average parents. My dad wrote several novels and non-fiction books on his CP/M Kaypro. I never could get him interested in the world wide web. My mom got deep into the web and was basically browser centric for email and photo management. She didn't care whether she was on Windows or Linux, just so the machine booted into FireFox. I bought her a Mac but she rarely left the browser. | ||||||
| disturbed1 posted 2009 Nov 04 12:12 | ||||||
Somehow I doubt rallynavvie's parents are average :o Thought the same thing though. I know my in-laws would be completely frustrated with Gimp. They like Gwenview and Picasa.
Abiword, Gnumeric, and/or Google Docs, offers more than what most people would ever need. Though if you need serious spreed sheet programing, there is no substitute for MS Office. | ||||||
| rallynavvie posted 2009 Nov 04 13:48 | ||||||
| Actually my parents (and grandparents even) are a bit of an enigma with computers. My parents have been public school teachers for over 25 years. They got an Apple IIe when they first came out and have been using computers ever since. Though they don't use them as much as I do they have their moments of genius, such as when my mom figured out how to import from their MiniDV camcorder and edit in Ulead software all the way to DVD output (with nice menus even!). I've taught them well about searching through help files and then the internet for walkthroughs and tips on the applications I set them up with.
Ubuntu has pretty good user-to-user support so I made the good assumption that they'd be able to find their way in it. I know most the rest of my friends and coworkers still have to deal with "family tech support" a lot :lol: |
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