XP or Linux

[excollier]

I have a five year old laptop running XP but it has refused to auto update for a long time now and is still on SP2. Internet Explorer refuses to work ( hence no SP3) and it is really slow to start and update AVG free.
My question is should I dump XP and move to Linux, or just restore and update the whole lot ( which takes several evenings of watching and swearing at the screen ) ?
Any advice gladly received.

[despdan]

I have a five year old laptop running XP but it has refused to auto update for a long time now and is still on SP2. Internet Explorer refuses to work ( hence no SP3) and it is really slow to start and update AVG free.
My question is should I dump XP and move to Linux, or just restore and update the whole lot ( which takes several evenings of watching and swearing at the screen ) ?
Any advice gladly received.

Set it up to multiboot so you can have both thats what I have Just choose witch one at bootup.

[caveman_nige]

i have done as despdan recommends.. xp first, load linux second best to use either Ubuntu or OpenSuse.. you can download both for free and run them from CD to test them out and see if you like the feel etc...

However if you IE does not work on your XP, then download either (or both) Opera or Firefox as alternate browsers, they are faster and cleaner anyway... but be sure to use some antispyware like Spybot S&D and free antivirus like AVG..

[gazz10]

( which takes several evenings of watching and swearing at the screen ) ?
Any advice gladly received.

Why does it take that long to do a fresh install, got to ask yorself if it takes that long to do a fresh install, i would not even touch linux the now. Ok lappy five years old, but thats nowt really should run xp easy via format.

[excollier]

Why does it take that long to do a fresh install, got to ask yorself if it takes that long to do a fresh install, i would not even touch linux the now. Ok lappy five years old, but thats nowt really should run xp easy via format.

It takes that long because I have only maybe an hour at a time to spend with the computer and the number or re-boots it takes and the downloads ( large ones ) to get up to SP3 just takes so long especially with a computer this slow.
I dont have space on my hard drive to store two operating systems (only 18 gb) so which is best?

[Mjolinor]

If XP takes so long then try Linux and if you don't like it go back to XP.

If you go for Ubuntu then don't use 9.XX, use 8.XX as the newer version has a new X server and with a 5 year old laptop you would probably find that your graphics card is not well supported in the new one.

It will only take an hour to put Ubuntu on and try it.

[Bobiskey]

18 gig should be plenty for a dual boot depending on what you put on after.

First of for XP, try building a new images with SP3 pre installed.

http://download.windowsupdate.com/msdownload/update/software/svpk/2008/04/windowsxp-kb936929-sp3-x86-enu_c81472f7eeea2eca421e116cd4c03e2300ebfde4.exe

Service pack 3 direct download from microsoft.

Grab Nlite, grab SP3 above and follow instructions, build a new image and burn to cd. Install as you would normally.

For linux. I'd say if you new to it. Take a look at KUbuntu, PC Linux OS, Simply MEPIS and Linux Mint. All very good places to start. With kubuntu, Mepis and Mint all debian based and PCLinux Red based. They all have good repositories for updating/installng new software.

Also look at going KDE if you new. I like Gnome more but KDE suits someone moving from Windows, its less of a system shock.

And with Linux, I'd say, have fun, try stuff out, every 1 new thing you learn is something extra

[Chimaera]

It takes less than an hour to format and sort XP if your organised

It depends what you do with it

If yur a gamer or use specialist programs use xp

If yur just a surfer and emailer then use linux {prob Kubuntu}

Just my thoughts

[Sisee]

I'm not a fan of Linux, or Windows for that matter.
But I'd go with XP, at least it's compatible with most things then.
There is a 3rd option, unsure how it works though.
If it's an intel laptop, you could look into Hackintosh.
It uses an actual install of Mac, but on a Windows built PC.
As I said, I'm unsure how to get Hackintosh going, but I use Mac and I like it. Never regretted leaving XP behind. And never intend to touch Vista or 7.

[ManofScience]

i've had hackintosh tiger and leopard on a lappy, wasn't too bad - but it was recent high spec'd one other wise they were both quite slowon older machines, contrary to popular fanboy opinions

XP should run ok, if u can get all the drivers right.

linux is a good choice if u only want to surf/check a few emails etc. if there's any hint you're going to want to more than that - stick with XP

W7 is what Vista should have been. currently got the 7260 build on my lappy and the official RC on my home PC

[satman]

multiboot gets my vote

-install windows xp,
then install fedora11( i just installed this latest version and finding it very nice ) and use the bootloader . easy peasy

[Mjolinor]

If you are going to multiboot then use grub4dos, it replaces NTLDR and means you can multi boot without making any changes to the Windo$e MBR.

Very easy to configure and very easy to change

[excollier]

Okay, I thank you for your advice but it is WAY over my head, I think I'll just restore with XP and work it back up to SP3. But do I need to get SP2 first as when I restore it will take it back to SP1 with the restore disks I have, thanks again.

[ManofScience]

you only need the most recent Service Pack as all the previous updates are bundled with it.

Download SP3 first and stick on a memory stick/CD, do a nice clean fresh install, once it's up, chuck SP3 on.

Remember, if you don't use the disks that came with the laptop, you will need to download the laptop specific device drivers to get it running properly.

[belfast]

if you want to run FPS games or music apps such as protools, cusebase, recycle I's say run both, if you don't play games (FPS games run slower under linux even natively without wine) or write music then it's possible for you to ditch windows for good.

which is nice