Tell me why I should ditch Microsoft Windows in favour of Linux?
Thursday, June 17th, 2010 at
00:24
My desktop computer has windows XP installed. I have been thinking about wiping it and starting from scratch with a Linux operating system. Is this difficult to do? How much will it cost? What about drivers for my hardware?
Tagged with: desktop computer • Linux • linux operating system • starting from scratch • windows xp
Filed under: Microsoft
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No it is not difficult to migrate from XP to Linux…
Here is an answer to your question:
1. How much will it cost? – Nothing Linux is free until you go for Red Hat Linux or Fedora Linux these flavors are paid versions since they are commercial versions.
2. What about drivers for my hardware? – Do not worry if you have a branded PC then you go to the company website and go for downloading device drivers for linux OS and once you download all of them n burn it on a CD or store it USB pen drive.
And technically this is how you can transfer yourself from windows to linux:
http://wiki.linuxquestions.org/wiki/Windows_to_Linux_Migration
Hope this helps!
Regards,
Bhupesh(MVP,Windows)
PS: if you find an answer to your satisfaction pls dont forget to rate it.
Switching to Linux is not difficult. It use to be, but that’s another story. Linux is free, there are some variations out there that cost money, but for the most part it’s free.
Does your hardware work? Good question, the easiest way to find out is to download a Linux CD and boot your computer with it. Most Linux CD’s will enable you to boot up into Linux without installing it onto your hard drive. This is a great way to find out if your hardware it works correctly with Linux.
http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop – Arguably the best Linux Desktop distribution http://ubuntuforums.org/ – Great place to get info and to ask questions
One last thing, remember to back up your data before you get started.
Good Luck
For gaming there is XP
For everything else there is Linux
Why Linux is Better
http://www.whylinuxisbetter.net/
Here are some options for installing or trying out Linux
Option One (Full installation)
I recommend Linux Mint 9 Main Edition which is built upon Ubuntu 10.04 Its easy to install and easy to use plus it comes with much of the software you are likely to need preinstalled
Linux Mint 9 Download
http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=52
The Perfect Desktop – Linux Mint 9 (Isadora)
http://www.howtoforge.com/the-perfect-desktop-linux-mint-9-isadora
Linux Mint 9 User Guide Download pdf.
http://www.linuxmint.com/rel_isadora.php
You download the ISO. image of Linux Mint 9 then you need to create a Bootable LiveCD for installation
Linux Mint 9 can also be run direct from the LiveCD from Booting up without touching your Hard Drive
Option Two (Install Linux inside Windows)
Installing Ubuntu as a dual-boot with Windows without partitioning
http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/wubi
You keep Windows as it is, Wubi only adds an extra option to boot into Ubuntu. Wubi does not require you to modify the partitions of your PC, or to use a different bootloader, and does not install special drivers. It works just like any other application.
Wubi keeps most of the files in one folder, and if you do not like it, you can simply uninstall it as any other application.
Boot in to windows insert the Ubuntu 10.04 LiveCD and you will offered the option of installing inside windows which is where the Wubi installer comes in, you will be asked how many gigabytes you wish to allocate to Ubuntu (I recommend 8gb) then you set a password for your installation then click install and thats it.
Once Ubuntu is fully installed upon starting your PC you will be given a choice of which operating system you want to use Windows or Ubuntu
Ubuntu 10.04 Download
http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download
Ubuntu 10.04 (Lucid Lynx) User Guide
http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Lucid
Linux Mint 9 which is built upon Ubuntu 10.04 has a similar feature called mint4win and the directions given above for Wubi can be followed
http://duncsweb.com/2009/09/27/mint4win-a-wubi-based-installer-of-linux-mint/
Ubuntu 10.04 and Linux Mint 9 can also be run straight from the LiveCD without touching your Hard drive
Option Three (LiveCD)
Here the possibilities are endless as you can try out as many different Linux distros. until you find the one thats right for you DISTROWATCH.COM gives full listings (second lists the major distributions)
http://distrowatch.com/
Major Linux Distributions
http://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major
LUg.
Its easy as 123 abc. Lol Get ubuntu from ubuntu.com its the best Linux distro. It is free and it is a modern operating system. THere are misconceptions that Linux isn’t up with its time but actually windows is not up with its time. Linux has compiz fusion 4 desktops and a desktop cube. Drivers usually come with ubuntu. For your graphics card go to system<>administration<>hardware drivers and activate the graphics card driver. If it does not show anything than you already have the driver. Good luck with linux we look forward to having you in are community. Oh ya steam and valve source engine are coming to linux in a few month this means we get a lot of games.