[Technology] XtraPc

BensGrandad · Jul 28, 2019

I have an old laptop which had windows 7 which i upped to windows 10 but it is very slow and I thought that perhaps I could buy that to witch to linux and it would operate quicker. As it was a pop up on NSC it seemed obvious to ask fellow posters about it sorry.

I read the part highlighted by schmunk but it seemed, on quick reading, long and complicated, so I think that I will wait until a quiet day when I have no grandchildren running around and print it out to read and study. will then go from there but if somebody has a simple method eg put in a usb and go to linux on the web and download to the usb that would help. Many thanks

Coldeanseagull · Jul 28, 2019

There are many, many linux distros available for the complete novice. However, it will be an utter minefield for someone to go in without first reading how to put them on your harddrive via usb or cd. New terminology will need to be learned, like sda, hda, swap out partition and root, but for speed of use and virus free operation it's well worth the hassle.
Have a read of distrowatch, there you'll find a lot of info.
Also, do a google search for something like linux for complete beginners. You'll read about the basics, peoples hatred of all things microsoft and hear about operating systems like Ubuntu and Mint

BensGrandad · Jul 28, 2019

I couldnt see how windows would allow or assist a download to another system in competition with them and their market dominance

Coldeanseagull · Jul 28, 2019

BensGrandad said:
I couldnt see how windows would allow or assist a download to another system in competition with them and their market dominance

Because you own the hardware, you can do what you like with it

BensGrandad · Jul 28, 2019

Coldeanseagull said:
Also, do a google search for something like linux for complete beginners. You'll read about the basics, peoples hatred of all things microsoft and hear about operating systems like Ubuntu and Mint

I have just had a quick read and it seems that Mint and Chalet are the nearest and best substitute for Windows in looks and use. I may try to download to a usb one of those and give it a try on my old laptop.

Dick Swiveller · Jul 28, 2019

BensGrandad said:
I have just had a quick read and it seems that Mint and Chalet are the nearest and best substitute for Windows in looks and use. I may try to download to a usb one of those and give it a try on my old laptop.

Exclusive live stream as BG attempts using Linux to clean up Windows.

BensGrandad · Jul 28, 2019

Can I still use Google Chrome, Canon Printer etc on the linux OS.What about spyware and anti virus protection.

Coldeanseagull · Jul 28, 2019

BensGrandad said:
Can I still use Google Chrome, Canon Printer etc on the linux OS.What about spyware and anti virus protection.

Yes via a package, yes via canon website for the drivers, yes as an add on in your browser and yes, but you don't get a lot of viruses with linux.....it's free, people don't have a grudge when it's free

1066familyman · Jul 28, 2019

BensGrandad said:
Can I still use Google Chrome, Canon Printer etc on the linux OS.What about spyware and anti virus protection.

I'd bin off Chrome and use Chromium instead if I were you. You'll be amazed at how rapid it is on Linux on old laptops.

You'll have no trouble with your Canon printer either. Ours runs fine with Linux.

Once you move to Linux you'll wonder why you didn't do it years ago. Easy to install and run yourself after just a little bit of reading up. Good luck.

Sussex Nomad · Jul 28, 2019

This is what it does.

1. Clears your PC of the old OS.
2.
3.
4. Doesn't matter any more you won't be reading this.

Nottseagull · Jul 29, 2019

BensGrandad said:
I couldnt see how windows would allow or assist a download to another system in competition with them and their market dominance

Windows is nothing more than an operating system (OS), therefore you can remove it from your machine and replace it with something else. I have downloaded linux distros (distroes??) via Windows before, so that is not an issue. If your hard drive (HDD or SSD) is large enough you can have both on your machine at the same time, although only one will be running at any one time. This is called 'dual boot' and involves messing around with the hard drive's (or hard disk's) partitions so not for you (or even me), because you can do damage to your machine if you get it wrong.

BensGrandad · Jul 29, 2019

I hate to be a nuisance but I must be doing something wrong.

I downloaded Ubuntu on my pc with windows 10: Copy and pasted the download to a 32GB memory stick then inserted the memory stick into the E drive of the old PC but nothing happened. What have I either done wrong or not done to make the memory stick activate in the PC please.

Nottseagull · Jul 29, 2019

You should be downloading an 'image'. Ubuntu is huge so I would experiment with a much smaller distro. You need to follow specialist advice, link to follow

BensGrandad · Jul 29, 2019

I just googled and it said Ubuntu was the most popular for beginners. It also said about my memory stick being a bootable stick so may have to remove and reformat to ensure that it is.

Nottseagull · Jul 29, 2019

BensGrandad said:
I just googled and it said Ubuntu was the most popular for beginners. It also said about my memory stick being a bootable stick so may have to remove and reformat to ensure that it is.

You mean you didn't even format your stick beforehand?? This tells me that you are doing it blind without following detailed instructions! You need to be taken through it step by step, so I'm advising you to join this forum to ask for help. Make sure you are specific in your thread title e.g. when you asked for advice on meat retailers, you failed to even mention meat in your thread title!
Would suggest something like 'PC too slow and considering Linux'. You will then get advice on speeding up your machine, if that is what the root problem is.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=29

1066familyman · Jul 29, 2019

Or have a good read of this thread again :

https://www.northstandchat.com/showthread.php?343425-Linux-and-SSD-help-please&highlight=Linux

Btw, that very same old Vista laptop I was talking about then is still running smooth with Linux to this day :thumbsup:

BensGrandad · Jul 29, 2019

After much frustration and being unable to understand most of the literature about Linux I have ordered a Mint Cinnamon 64 bit installation DVD on E bay as it was only £2.29. and will be here Thursday. so onwards and upwards. A lot less than the original £28 as per this thread.and hopefully achieve the same results. especially as I have 3 old laptops to try it on,. An ACER on XP upgraded to Windows 7, An Acer on Windows 7 upgraded to Windows 10 and a Compaq on Windows 7 now upgraded to Windows 10 If it works on 1 of them I will be happy.

Nottseagull · Jul 29, 2019

You could have had the problem sorted before Thursday and for £0 had you followed my advice.
Now you run the risk of infecting your machines,
unless the software is from a reputable eBay merchant. Can you post the page it came from?

LamieRobertson · Jul 29, 2019

Technology helpline is now closed and will reopen at 9am tomorrow....you have not been charged for this service

SIMMO SAYS · Jul 29, 2019

Nottseagull said:
You could have had the problem sorted before Thursday and for £0 had you followed my advice.
Now you run the risk of infecting your machines,
unless the software is from a reputable eBay merchant. Can you post the page it came from?

You need a break from BG
Have a kitkat lol

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