I saw an add for Xtra-PC, a thumb drive that uses Linux to “fix” your old slow PC. Then I did some googling and found that I can get Linux for free and do the same thing myself. My question is, if I use Linux instead of windows 10 on the 4+ year old Dell computer (that regularly lags and crashes) will everything still work or will there be programmes/apps that won’t run? Will I need to do anything after I install Linux or is it really that simple to fix the computer that no one wants to use because it’s so slow?
Xtra-PC & Linux
Naam on 10/12/2017 - 08:25
Comments
That sounds really patronising! Apologies.
I think you would be better served spending some time fixing your existing software rather than learning a whole new operating system.
I learnt a heap about computers installing linux (and OS2 and MS-DOS, and BSD and System 7 back in the 90s) and use macs and windows desktops these days. But for most users who just want a computer that works to run the software they need, windows is the right answer as it is what they are most familiar with, and the system best able to get some support from friends and family.Thank you! No, not patronising- entirely accurate 🤠 With all the advice offered here, I will definitely try to sort out the existing Windows issues rather than invent new headaches with a new OS 👍🏻
Why don't you try a Live CD (maybe Ubuntu based) version and see if you like it, try to get familiar with it. Depending of your use of the computer, Linux can be a replacement for Windows/Mac.
What mskeggs said. I just rebuilt an ancient netbook with sparky linux. I was mostly on my own. The linux crowd aren't too tolerant with newbies. I have good experience / knowledge with windows; I originally rebuilt the old netbook with xp for better speed than windows 7 that came on it. I put sparky linux on netbook; at the desktop it was only using 128mb of ram! But that was minimal install and I still got rid of stuff running in the background. It was a huge, monstrous learning issue. Sparky was the 3rd distribution I tried (one was slow and puppy won't successfully run off hard disk).
For my main laptop though, I am tied to windows. I still use 8 because 10 has nothing I need, and 8 is faster. I am into photography, and as mskeggs said, most popular software is made for windows and mac if you're lucky. Linux does have a lot of software that covers most things - for word processing just use text, it'll open in anything anywhere, then you can format it in whatever they (school, work, library etc) use, which is probably a quicker way of working (content first, format second).
The other issue is, not all linux is the same, so not all linux apps will work with whatever you go with (debian, ubuntu etc).
As a side note, android is based on linux
As note side, Termux for Android.
For all your command line fun. And maybe Michael's, or Mark's, too.Well, at least a little more fun than programming a Commodore 64 and much more than a VIC-20. How did I get out of my childhood alive. It's a mystery.
poohduck?
Whenever you go for a swim? That is how it works, I believe..:)
Gave this some more thought; why don't you get your windows machine in shape? I can't use other people's computers because they are all crap. So much shit running in the background. It's like a tiny car struggling up a hill with the air con on. For a start, look at ctrl alt del, task manager, Start up. Research each thing that is running - all I have is anti virus and classic start menu.
Then go to services, research each thing that is running. Lots of info on this on line (windows 10 services running or something like that).
Uninstall anything that you don't use or need (research).
Hard disk cleanup utility - download.com read reviews, find a good one.
Registry cleanup - as above but use the safe option (only clean up stuff that is safe to clean up)
Defrag (smart defrag is good software). Don't do this if you have ssd.
Driver booster software - download.com.
Also check out task scheduler - lots of stuff is scheduled to run here that isn't in start up or in services. Most of it is just software scheduled to see if there are any updates available for that software - disable them all; they're resource leeches.
Configure windows for best performance, ie google windows 10 configure best performance or something like that. Most stuff is just shit like windows transition effects. My systems, no matter what their age, fly.
I think this is exactly what I needed to hear- it looks daunting but you’ve given me a plan to work with. Thanks for all the detail 🥂
Before you go down the Linux route, I just wanted to mention a few things.
How often does Windows crash? If you have defective hardware (e.g. bad RAM) changing OS's won't solve everything.
With regards to lag, a 4 or 5 year PC is often good enough for basic usage, unless it was bottom of the barrel at the time. Having at least 4 GB of RAM and an SSD makes most computers made after 2012 fast enough for browsing and word processing within Windows. Without an SSD, the reason Windows 10 often randomly slows to a crawl is Search Indexing and other misbehaving services (which can often be turned off). When the computer slows to a crawl you can check the task manager for clues. Other than Windows services, Chrome automatic updates used to be the devil, but I haven't booted my old computer in a while.
A machine won't necessarily be more stable on Linux either. My older PC (from 2009) didn't have stable graphics drivers for Ubuntu (resulting in random freezes) and it took a lot of messing around to find a workaround, including the use of lightweight XFCE ala Xubuntu (which comes to my next point). Linux can be lightweight, but it doesn't have to be. I don't know about the latest flavours of Linux, but traditionally if you installed the prettiest desktop environment (that aren't actually that pretty) or applications you would pay the price in speed. Some multi-platform applications have different bugs under Linux as well (Firefox memory leaks were a headache for me). But until you test a PC you won't know.
Sorry, I just re-read your question and noticed the bit about "programmes/apps that won’t run". Perhaps my explanation above is a little overkill in retrospect but I already wrote it so I'll leave it there :) But basically, not all apps that are made for Windows are also made for Linux. While options are there, it's rare for the average Linux home user to pay for software.
I’m grateful that you went beyond my question! I am thoroughly convinced that Linux is not for me so I will keep working on straightening out what I’ve got and see if I can’t get Windows running better. Cheers
Naam, you have posted three forum topics and then haven't engaged in any way with any of those.
Peeps, poohduck and peter peter pumpkin have all gone to considerable trouble in long comments to assist you. Be sure to show them just a little courtesy when you get the chance.
Lol 39 comments from 3 posts and no reply from OP.
Kindest to chalk it up to a short attention span and that he forgot even posting in the first place.
I suppose that's possible…
There are quite a few distractions on the in:-)
Yep, my bad, sorry.
I was trying to digest all the good information (and feeling v out of my league!)
🤗No worries! Better late than ever.
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If inclined, the easiest and most straightforward option and all the info you need to try: guide_flavour/fresh
For mining/minting funky_fresh/minty Bitcoin, see other OzBargain listings.. :)
Linux is as different to windows as Mac or android.
Some apps will have Linux versions, but you will have to download and install them.
Many won’t, and while they can be run in emulation, it isn’t as satisfactory as a native application.
Linux has its place, running servers, on experts desktops, and on desktops of amateur users that are administered by an expert (in a lab, or for a grandparent etc).
I don’t think it is a suitable replacement for windows for users who cannot trouble shoot their own issues, or aren’t very confident with computers. From the tone of your question, this will be challenging for you.
Source: have previously run desktop Linux and have used many Linux servers.