Windows & Linux Question

Shane

Shane

Super Moderator
Staff member
Hi people.

Just a few questions reguarding both Windows & Linux

1.If i have a new computer can i just remove windows from my old system and install it on my new computer?

2.Im gonna instal Linux (Probably Ubuntu)On this old system in siggy when i have my new computer but i have no knowledge whatsoever on how to instal software in Linux:confused:

Please answer the question by their numbers so its easy for me to understand please.

Thankyou.

AMD:)
 
2. Most software in Ubuntu can be installed via Synaptic which is a package manager (it lists thousands of different types of software, you select what you want and it downloads and installs it for you). Most other software comes in a .deb format and is installed by simply double clicking and following the prompts. You'll also see .run and .bin extensions which you can install via terminal very easily.

For more info on Ubuntu, see the forums: http://www.ubuntuforums.org
 
Thanks for the info simon.

I was actualy hoping you would reply to this post as i know you use Linux as your Primary os.:D

Gonna do some research into it and i actualy just found a video clip on Google video with lots of details and actualy showing you what to do which is great.

Thanks.

Can someone please answer *1 Question for me?

Thanks:)
 
1) If it's XP you could create a disk image of the drive on the old system and open that onto the drive in the new case. Will it run well? Not likely! XP takes a snapshot of the entire hardware environment during the initial installation. Once you go over a limit of hardware changes you have to have Winodws reactivated.

A cloned installation wouldn't fully detect the new system's hardware environment. The closest clone would be on an identical system with the same hardwares. With a fresh installation of Windows on the new machine you can slave the old drive to the new primary for direct copy of files. Or you could go with the use of a crossover cable berween both systems.

2) Linux doesn't see softwares and drivers installed quite as easy as you see on a Windows system. Reviewing the tutorials for the intended distro(ubuntu or others) will provide the various instructions needed. Get familiar with Grub and Lilo boot loaders along with Xterminal consoles and Bash commands. Directories are structured differently too.
 
1. No is the short answer to that, you should install a fresh load off an OS Disc on a new system

2. I have installed and used unbuntu for a while since there was a lot of hype about it. The get apt command was nice via CLI.

However, I prefer and use SUSE 10.1 right now and it has many advantages. For one installing packages is as easy as right clicking on it and choosing install. The YAST 2 manager makes it easy to configure devices and such. I also don't like GNOME that much, I am more of a KDE person, but that is totally a preference not an advantage/disadvantage.

Of course uncompilied software must still be installed manually.

Unbuntu has a great community over there though. I had a lot of problems getting my wireless card to work correctly in unbuntu (2200BG card in my laptop) and thats why I ultimately dropped it. I mean it worked, just not to my liking.

Linux installers and more up to date than anything else I have worked with lately. More than likely as long as you are using standard hardware (ie name brand stuff) there is probably native support. I haven't had to install any drivers in SUSE 9, 10, or 10.1. Heck I didn't have to install drivers when I was running SUSE 7.1

There are more user friendly versions of linux out there, like linspire which tries to emulate the look and feel of windows and uses a modified shell of KDE.

Download and try out Unbuntu, Open SUSE, fedora core, etc and see which package you like the best. They are all linux but they are different.
 
Fedora can be a... at times. That's not the best for a newbie. Some of the smaller distros like Zenwalk are based on Slackware. Mandriva is currently on as a secondary with either Zenwalk or another distro is going on to share the same swap partition. You will see drivers for Linux becoming more available for various hardwares even at the support sites.

1) is certainly a "clean and fresh" installation for the best results. You start off with a clean system registry with no leftovers from the previous software installations on the old case to clutter up the new one. You won't have drivers for the wrong hardwares being loaded. It saves a lot of time trying to solve problems that can be seen due to that.
 
AMD said:
Thanks for the info simon.

I was actualy hoping you would reply to this post as i know you use Linux as your Primary os.:D

Gonna do some research into it and i actualy just found a video clip on Google video with lots of details and actualy showing you what to do which is great.

Thanks.

Can someone please answer *1 Question for me?

Thanks:)
Click to expand...

No problem :)

I used Windows for the best part of 13 years before deciding to give Linux a go and I'm glad I did!

The important thing to remember is that Linux is not Windows so you need to look at it with totally new eyes, don't expect it to act in the same manner.

Also remember that it's new to you and will take a while to get comfortable and familiar with it, frustration and hair pulling may occur but if you put the time and effort in, Linux will become as familiar to you as Windows probably is now and unless you are a gamer you may find yourself wondering why you still have windows installed ;)

I would suggest that for any queries you have on Ubuntu (before, during or after installation) that you post in the beginners section on the Ubuntu forum - it's a great resource that you should take advantage of! :)
 
Ubuntu is a Debian based Linux distribution and therefore uses apt-get and also Synaptic for package management. The ease of installation and removal of software is nothing short of elegant. No messy installers, no leftover junk after uninstallation, no "DLL hell". Apps can be installed, updated and removed just with one simple command line or through a nice GUI.

Software installation in Debian and most other Linux distributions is far superior to anything that has ever existed in Windows. And no, I'm not a Linux bigot because I still use Windows as my primary OS. It [Debian's package management] is just simply better and was well-designed from the start.

Installation is much easier and quicker than Windows, and the installer will automatically detect XP or other Windows OSes and install the GRUB bootloader, which will let you pick what OS you want to boot when you power up.
 
Thanks people,

That Linspire which tlarkin was talking about looks quite good too:D

But before i go splashing out any cash for a paid version of Linux im gonna get myself familiar with a free distro like Ubuntu.
 
Maybe a distro like SuSE would suit you best?
The worst problem I ran into with SuSE was the fact that my soundcard wasn't configured properly. I was able to quickly fix that with YaST (the config utility)and now it works perfectly.

For new users, Linspire/Freespire can be a good choice. But it's way too easy. Not only that, but you can't install ANY new program unless you pay for Click 'n' Run Warehouse, which is what, $40 a month?
Also, for newer Linux users, the KDE desktop environment is much easiser than GNOME (distros such as Ubuntu and Debian use GNOME). I sometimes say that Gnome is Gnasty for new users.

I would recomend SuSE Linux 10.1 with KDE for you. It's great for new users, and you'll be able to grow with it, too. I installed it about about two months ago and it's great. If you download the full install DVD, you can even have Flash and Adobe Acrobat installed on your system.
Also, and distro like PCLinuxOS is great for new users. It's a live CD but it can also be installed to your main disk. It's got tons of great programs preinstalled (like Flash) and, as their motto say, "Everything just works" and I can say that from experience, as I've used it for about two years.
 
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