I need to know if i should install linnux on my computer ? What will i miss from Windows ?

Question

My laptop has a bootleg copy or windows installed on it. once my friend tried updating it on microsoft's website they saw that it wasnt a registered copy and threw some kind of bug on the computer that wont leave no matter how hard i try asking it. i have no money to buy a real copy so ive been looking into a site that offers endless versions. one of which is entirely free and even comes w/ volunteer tech support. ive never used anything but windows in my life. whats the drawback to installing the linnux. i basicly only use the lap top for internet and email. but i also update a website with it. or at least plan to once i figure out how. what about just wiping out the bug microsoft put on my com. ? HELP!!!!

Answer 1

I suggest you get a book and read up on whatever version of Linux you plan to use. It's not that bad but it's much more command line oriented than Windows. See, the boys in Redmond know that the more they get us away from knowing what's happening on our computers, the more they have us over a barrel.

But command line OS just means you need to learn some Linux before you jump in and can't swim. I just bought a Linux with manual from Barnes & Noble yesterday, and it's pretty easy. But unless you have a logical technical mind, it may be more of a challenge.

Good Luck.

PS. It cost about $40 with cd & manual.

Answer 2

You'll be in better shape if you just wipe your system out and install Linux, I would definitely recommend Ubuntu for you because is so easy to install and for your needs is more than enough, you will not have any problems updating any web sites, you have a lot of HTML editors for Linux, it comes loaded with everything you need to get started, your can find the free "FREE" download at http://www.ubuntu.com/products/GetUbuntu/download#currentrelease just download the ISO from any of the mirror servers and the burn to a CD, I would also recommend http://www.opensuse.org , this is the Linux Distribution that I'm currently using. The support community for Linux is great so don't feel that your going to be alone on this one.

Don't get worry with all this customization thing and Microsoft office documents, because both Ubuntu and OpenSUSE come loaded with a lot of programs for browsing the internet, emailing, and opening and closing word documents, this is done by OpenOffice is a free Office Suite that has all of the features that your used to in Word. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

you can test drive Linux by downloading Knoppix and burning the image to CD (burn it as a CD image or else it won't work) use Sonic software or Nero or other free utilities. You then simply shutdown your computer with the CD in the drive and boot from CD. :-) only thing is that this software doesn't like certain wireless cards. To remove that bug you will need to download some anti spy ware software try adaware, spybot ,and malware sweeper, all can be found on download.com next install and update all three and then turn off Internet so that the little bugger won't re download itself then turn off system restore through right clicking my computer and going under properties then system restore. now restart your computer and run the software in the order listed then you should be rid of the bug. BEWARE MICROSOFT WILL PROSECUTE YOU TO THE EXTENT OF THE LAW IF THEY CATCH YOU WITH A BOOTLEG OS.

Answer 4

It's spelled "linux" :-)

You won't be able to run any Microsoft applications (like Word). But you'll find a wealth of free software that runs under Linux just fine.

The issue for you is that Linux is a geek's environment. You may have to find a good Linux geek to get you started out right. Otherwise you could end up fumbling around a lot.

If you are willing to put in the time to figure it all out, you may find that Linux is a good choice for you. You can certainly read your mail, surf the internet, manage web sites, and do a whole lot of other things with a Linux laptop. But it's not Windows, and you'll have a learning curve.

Answer 5

If your usage of your PC is limited to e-mail and the Internet, then I don't recommend using Linux, Linux is an open source operating system, meaning modifying it isn't as easy as one click to install as in windows, you have to have some knowledge about programing, so I recommend you stay with windows for now till you can buy a copy.

Actually This is not a bug, It is called the WGA Notification (Windows Genuine Advantage Notification), It is installed with the windows update to "notify" you whether your copy of windows key is really paid for or not, There are ways to remove it. First: Buy a real key, Second: try searching for WGA removal tools or modifications(cracks).

Answer 6

Some of the answers implied that installing software on linux isn't as easy as in windows... or that you have to be a programmer to use it. Not true, depending on which linux distro you're using.

I use Suse linux, which has an easy install, comes with tons of software, AND most importantly has a 'add/remove software'-like program called yast that will download and install software for you.

You'll get Firefox, and there's plenty of e-mail clients included as well. I say go for it, the WGA notifications (the 'bug' on your system) are super-annoying, not to mention Windows isn't free and open-source. Most windows programs, like Photoshop, have linux equivalents, check out freshmeat.net, there's plenty of stuff to download.

You don't need to be a programmer to use linux, but at some point you'll want to install something that Yast doesn't know about (like security/hacking tools). When that time comes, just remember these commands:

tar xvfz cool_software.tgz (.tgz is the extension for compressed tar archives)
cd cool_software
./configure
./make
./make install

Have fun!

P.S. Make sure you're hardware (especially the video and network cards) are compatible with the distro you choose. As long as you don't have some esoteric network card you should be good to go.

Answer 7

If you surf and email with Linux... what will you miss?

Depends on what's in your laptop by way of hardware and how you connect to the internet.

From my experience:
Built in LAN works
Sound works
Infra Red is supposed to work but needs a lot of work... plus on my laptop it would only give slow infra red (sir) not fast infra red (fir).
Modems are a can of worms too... mine is 'supposed' to be supported but there are no clear information on how to set it up.
USB stick and external disk drives work.
Not tried wifi... some are supposed to work.
Screen works
Mouse thing works
Some of the built-in functionality (brightness and battery gauge) doesn't work cos it's been built to use a windows driver.
The software suite that comes with most distributions includes software that will do word processing & spreadsheets & drawing... and will even swap files with Microsoft apps... plus you get firefox browser & GAIM (which does chatting with MSN and AOL and Yahoo) and CD burning software and CD ripping software all built in as standard.

BUT

if you connect by ethernet to the network it will work. If ou connect by modem it may work or you may find it's areal pain to set up or it may just not work at the moment... but there are lots of linux interested people who will help you.

If you pick up a 'live' CD you can try out Linux without trashing your Windows disk drive... run it from the CD not the disk drive.

If you install on a PC with windows, most will co-install so you still have Windows and can choose which you boot into.

I use Ubuntu 6.06... this is not a recommendation, just a personal statement of one I like.

Alternatively, get a copy of windows 2000... it's still usable and it's not one of those which Microsoft can lock remotely.

Answer 8

There's no need to install Linux as it requires higher proficiency in using everything.
U just reinstall the windows after taking ur required documents on a CD or something.

The free installation CD's for windows (definitely not original) are available in the market

Answer 9

abode windows XP won't set up from the Dos instantaneous? What you desire is a Win XP bootable CD. the subsequent step (given which you got a Win ninety 8 CD) is to place in Win ninety 8, then insert the Win XP CD… abode windows will then help you be attentive to that it found a greater moderen version and ask in case you want to enhance? For this, you % particular, and look for the alternative that asserts, “clean set up”. What this does is replica the mandatory archives required to start up the laptop from DOS and then formats the tensepersistent and set up onto the newly formattedpersistent.

Answer 10

if your looking for something for nothing get Linux. Only thing you will miss is the ability to play the latest games, Software, Looking at the software section and walmart and actually being to able to use any of it, Using any of the software that your familiar with now, etc. But on the brighter side Linus has a ton of copy cat software for free and not to many viruses to worry about (hackers don't waste their time writing them in Linux) Its like writing a virus for the Sega Dreamcast. Good system but no one cares. Linux is a great software for a corporation to base its operation on but for Joe Public it sucks unless your a member of the I hate Bill Gates Fan Club.