Linux Vs XP

massahwahl

massahwahl

VIP Member
Im doing a lot of research into different things to do with my laptop (So far I have got a lot of useful tips, thanks guys!)

Right now Im researching the Linux OS and what all I would be able to do with it. I use three or four windows XP programs heavily (Guild Wars, Photoshop CS2, Zune, Firefox) so I have seen that there are some programs for Linux that will let those run, but Im curious as to how well they will run.

What are some advantages/disadvantages to Linux?
Im looking for something different and Vista still seems pretty shaky some im a little worried about taking that route.

Anyone that has Linux, whats it like? What makes it special?
 
I'm running Linux. I'm running Ubuntu Feisty Fawn. It is a lot more powerful than XP and Vista. How big is your Hard Drive and how much RAM do you have? There are two different interfaces GNOME and KDE. KDE is a next generation Interface and GNOME is more lower class, but still better than XP. If you want to try KDE, try Kubuntu. Opensuse is also another great Distro. The only disadvantage is you can not run windows games. Firefox will work. But, you can "Dualboot" in XP and Linux. Find one that suits you:) Go to www.kubuntu.com
or if you want to try Suse go to www.opensuse.com
For a Free CD go to https://shipit.kubuntu.org/

Good Luck!
 
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jmedina said:
I'm running Linux. I'm running Ubuntu Feisty Fawn. It is a lot more powerful than XP and Vista. How big is your Hard Drive and how much RAM do you have? There are two different interfaces GNOME and KDE. KDE is a next generation Interface and GNOME is more lower class, but still better than XP. If you want to try KDE, try Kubuntu. Opensuse is also another great Distro. The only disadvantage is you can not run windows games. Firefox will work. But, you can "Dualboot" in XP and Linux. Find one that suits you:) Go to www.kubuntu.com
or if you want to try Suse go to www.opensuse.com
For a Free CD go to https://shipit.kubuntu.org/

Good Luck!
Click to expand...


I have 1.25 gigs ram (updating to 2 eventually)
80 gig internal HDD
80 gig external HDD

You said you could not run windows games... I saw online a program that would let you run windows apps in Linux. Does this work with this version of Linux? Also, what is the dual boot option?
 
i dont know anything about linux and that didnt help much no offence. it didnt really answer any of his questions
 
Im downloading the Kubuntu cd to test drive it. Im gonna be really dissapointed though if there is no way to get support with windows APPS.
 
Good Luck! Make sure to partition your hard drive to your preference. Dedicate 40 GB to Windows and 40 GB to Linux. Dual Booting is very nice. It is a Live CD. Meaning you can try it before you install it. When installing, make sure to partition it before installation. When you start up your computer it will give you the choice of Windows and Linux. Ask me if you have any questions.
 
Do I need to reinstall XP in order to make a new partition for Linux? Or If XP is already set, is it safe to make a new 40gig partition for linux? I have 41-gigs free right now, but before I installed Linux I would be moving my music and such to my external HDD which would clear up a good 15-20gigs.
 
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This is the nice part. If you already have XP installed you do not need to reinstall. It is safe to make the partition. Did you already burn the CD?
 
Its almost finished downloading, Opera says I have 20 minutes left but it should be quicker than that...

Once I burn it to the CD I can run it without any risk to my XP and info on my HDD right? If I like it which everything im reading sounds really very promising and that my concerns about running windows programs in Linux are not impossible. Just want to make sure that when I use the CD Im not risking damage to any files on my HDD... Im doing wedding pics for a client and would be in a real bind if something happened to them so Im a little nervous.
 
When you pop the CD in you will not risk any data at all. My Suggestion would be to back everything up before installation. Make sure you partition the drive before it installs!!! That is the most important thing. Do you have a ISO Burning Program? A good one is Infra Recorder. If you need help burning it go to https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BurningIsoHowto
 
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The Icon for it is Sonic Record now so Im assuming that Sonic will be able to handle it. If not Ill use that link. Thank you so much for all of your help! Youve been fantastic!

As far as drivers go for things like my Creative sound card and all the internal stuff on my computer (wifi assistant, ATI drivers,etc..) will I need to reinstall all of those for linux and if so how do you do that?
 
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It should automatically detect your hardware without a problem. As far as the WiFi card goes go to www.ubuntuforums.com and ask there. You can probably use a command called ndiswrapper. Once again Good Luck. If you have anymore Questions or Problems Ask Me. Let me know how it goes.
 
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Sorry, I edited that last post with a question after you must have seen it. Will all of my drivers work in Linux? and how difficult is it to install them?
 
Yes. They should all work fine. The WiFi card may have issues. But chances are, If you work with it you may be able to get it to work. If you have problems with the WiFi card go to www.ubuntuforums.com and post something there about it. You can probably use a command called ndiswrapper. Good Luck!
 
This is really cool! Its very fast even for running of the cd! what are some features I should check out? I just tried the messenger and such. When I want to install full version I just open up the install icon? Will that prompt me to make a partition?
 
I'm glad to see you like it. There are a lot of cool programs to try out. To install Click the "Install" icon on the desktop. It will first ask you for your name, what you want your username and password to be and so on. After you type all that in. It will recognize your hard drive and how much space is on your hard drive. If I remember right it will say use up the rest of the hard drive. Or, you can choose how much you want it to use. My suggestion would be to dedicate 40 GB to Windows and 40 GB to Kubuntu. If you have any doubts ask me.
 
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