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Switching to Linux

I only have 12 days left to activate Windows Xp and being as that the disc came without the product key (which I did locate on the unattendfile) I would like to know--should I download Linux from pendrive now in case Microsoft won't let me hang on to Wxp as I am unsure how many times the disc may have been used...and can linux run along side Windows?
Do I have to buy one of those flash-drive things to plug into the side?
If I go off-line then I won't be able to down-load anything...decisions decisions
 
Yes you can run Linux alongside Windows, when you do the install and you get to the part of installing to the HDD most Linux distribution especially the ones everyone listed will ask you if you would like to do a dual boot. This way after the install when the computer boots up you will have a option of What OS to boot into.

I would personally just download which ever Linux OS you want from the site then use pendrive to search on your computer for the ISO, having software do to much may lead to error's.

Honestly if you do ever upgrade Windows 7 is the furthest I would recommend you going on that hardware. You could use the upgrade tool to see if your hardware is compatible with Windows 8 as per MS documentation but I remember reading somewhere (I think the MS website) that when 8.1 came out MS only recommended upgrades from Windows 7 and up, anything older could be done but they said hardware issues may arise.

Not to mention Windows 8 and 8.1 use 1.2 GB of memory by default which will leave you enough for what your doing but what if down the road you decide to do other things on your computer you only have 800 MB left to play with (saying your computer recognizes the full 2 GB). Just run Linux and if you ever decide to upgrade your Windows partition then upgrade to Windows 7, which you should anyway since buying a XP product key towards the end if a life cycle make no sense.
 
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DMGrier said:
Yes you can run Linux alongside Windows, when you do the install and you get to the part of installing to the HDD most Linux distribution especially the ones everyone listed will ask you if you would like to do a dual boot. This way after the install when the computer boots up you will have a option of What OS to boot into.

I would personally just download which ever Linux OS you want from the site then use pendrive to search on your computer for the ISO, having software do to much may lead to error's.

Honestly if you do ever upgrade Windows 7 is the furthest I would recommend you going on that hardware. You could use the upgrade tool to see if your hardware is compatible with Windows 8 as per MS documentation but I remember reading somewhere (I think the MS website) that when 8.1 came out MS only recommended upgrades from Windows 7 and up, anything older could be done but they said hardware issues may arise.
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ok, thanks ...will give it some thought :{)
 
Where? Incidents like that happen with every OS, even Windows as its most likely a driver problem. Plus, the sad fact is, Linux distos rarely work straight out of the box. If you are just starting out, I would use Ubuntu. Use 64 bit if you have a PC with over 3.5 GB of RAM, not sure why DMGrier put out a 32 bit link.
 
PCunicorn said:
Where? Incidents like that happen with every OS, even Windows as its most likely a driver problem. Plus, the sad fact is, Linux distos rarely work straight out of the box. If you are just starting out, I would use Ubuntu. Use 64 bit if you have a PC with over 3.5 GB of RAM, not sure why DMGrier put out a 32 bit link.
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Um well P4 with 2 GB of ram..... yeah I would run 32 Bit, the benefits of 64 Bit would not be noticed on that hardware.

Plus I would recommend 64 bit with anything dual core with 3 GB or more. 64 Bit only use 150 to 200 MB more memory but the performance unlocked in the CPU will be worth it. In squegee case 32 bit would be the better route.

Plus in my experience of installing Linux you will have much better hardware support out of the box then Windows. Windows relies heavily on proprietary drivers where as in Linux a majority of driver are built into the kernel and Linux Mint uses hardware detection during the install to use open source drivers that are preloaded on the disc.
 
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DMGrier said:
Um well P4 with 2 GB of ram..... yeah I would run 32 Bit, the benefits of 64 Bit would not be noticed on that hardware.

Plus I would recommend 64 bit with anything dual core with 3 GB or more. 64 Bit only use 150 to 200 MB more memory but the performance unlocked in the CPU will be worth it. In squegee case 32 bit would be the better route.

Plus in my experience of installing Linux you will have much better hardware support out of the box then Windows. Windows relies heavily on proprietary drivers where as in Linux a majority of driver are built into the kernel and Linux Mint uses hardware detection during the install to use open source drivers that are preloaded on the disc.
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yes, I think I'll will try the Linux Mint 32...I am getting a warning that my copy of Windows Xp is not being recognized as genuine from Microsoft and they want me to go Windows 7 for $129.00 (B.S.!)
After I start using Linux what happenes to all the Windows Xp junk that went into my pc...does it get overwritten? And what about the little cd that came with my wifi adapter...do I have to run that again after I load the Linux?
 
PCunicorn said:
Where? Incidents like that happen with every OS, even Windows as its most likely a driver problem. Plus, the sad fact is, Linux distos rarely work straight out of the box. If you are just starting out, I would use Ubuntu. Use 64 bit if you have a PC with over 3.5 GB of RAM, not sure why DMGrier put out a 32 bit link.
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could I buy a copy of Linux and Ubuntu each and give them a test run and see which one my computer will devour best ?
 
As for over writing your data, this only would happen if you completely replace Windows with Linux but if you dual boot like we talked about earlier then your Windows stuff will be in one area of your HDD and Linux will be installed in the other side.

Both Ubuntu and Linux Mint are Linux, when you boot into the disc you can do a "try it" mode which it will prompt you when you go to do the install. Linux Mint is basically Ubuntu with better support and far less buggy, try both though as you may prefer Ubuntu desktop Unity over Linux Mint Cinnamon.

For your wireless adapter this may be challenging. Try the Linux OS of your choice fist and see if you have support out of the box, if not we will have to work a little bit, probably nothing hard though.
 
DMGrier said:
As for over writing your data, this only would happen if you completely replace Windows with Linux but if you dual boot like we talked about earlier then your Windows stuff will be in one area of your HDD and Linux will be installed in the other side.

Both Ubuntu and Linux Mint are Linux, when you boot into the disc you can do a "try it" mode which it will prompt you when you go to do the install. Linux Mint is basically Ubuntu with better support and far less buggy, try both though as you may prefer Ubuntu desktop Unity over Linux Mint Cinnamon.

For your wireless adapter this may be challenging. Try the Linux OS of your choice fist and see if you have support out of the box, if not we will have to work a little bit, probably nothing hard though.
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well if the Wxp disc can't be activated then that will be the end of it. But I don't really care if the Linux will take it's place. thanx and will keep you posted
 
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