New Computer - I want some form of Linux with XP on the side...

[Steve A.]

I guess now wouldn't be a good time to reveal that three-quarters of my posts to MEF over the last year (including this one) have been made with an iPhone.

Apple's stroke of genius was to make a device that did what Joe Public actually wanted, namely consume content and play dumb games on the bus.

You must have awfully clever thumbs! I only got up to the 3GS before taking the Android train so maybe the screens are bigger now.

I jumped ship from AT&T last year and am getting a Lifeline phone subsidized by the govt- $2.50 for 250 minutes and 250 texts. I had already swapped my Samsung Galaxy S with my son for his MotoRazr 3 and loved it so I paid $19 to upgrade to it from the free govt phone.

I have gone stark raving mad over Android tablets which connect to the internet through my wireless router. I subscribe to the eEditions of two newspapers which are $19 a year plus they give me the Sunday papers with all of the coupons. I finally got a tablet which is large enough AND fast enough to handle the newspapers very well. And I use them to watch videos of movies and TV shows- great for binge-watching a season or two of your favorite show. I can have a huge 50" TV across the room or an Android tablet right in front of me and I can see the tablet better.

What I like about Android is that it handles USB devices through its USB port, can take SDHC cards and often have an HDMI output jack. Standard peripherals- nothing proprietary. I got pissed off at Apple when the car adaptor for my original iPhone would not work with my 3GS- "unauthorized adapter."

I switched to Android because of its open architecture and the freedom to create and distribute an app without having to get the approval of Mama Apple. Only problem with that is that Google started to get real snooty and allows only approved devices to download apps from the Google Play Store. (I think they did that to neutralize the competition for their Nexus line from the incredibly low priced tablets from China.) Not playing fair, Mr. Google. Not playing fair at all.

One thing really cool about iOS are the iRig adaptors (which I don't believe ever made it over to Android.) Hmmm... I still have my iPhone 3GS which can connect to the internet via wifi. I wonder if I could get that to work with an iRig!

Steve Ahola

[R.G.]

I've come around to the idea that you should never have only one computer. If one computer dies, the loss of both function and connection to the net for troubleshooting and fixes is very difficult. A second computer makes this an inconvenience instead of a tragedy.

I think that although virtualization is good, having a captive "XP slave" is not a bad idea either. It's a bad idea to connect XP machines to the net with them going out of support, but continuing to run them for an application is not that big a problem. A KVM switch makes a second machine pretty much a matter of just having another box sitting there. So have linux and XP. And whatever. XP capable machines can be from free to $100.

[Steve A.]

I've come around to the idea that you should never have only one computer. If one computer dies, the loss of both function and connection to the net for troubleshooting and fixes is very difficult. A second computer makes this an inconvenience instead of a tragedy.

Amen! An old laptop will work fine without taking up a lot of storage space. You might want to save ISO copies of the install discs for the programs you find indispensable on the laptop along with the CD keys and serial numbers while you keep the original discs in a safe location (preferably off-site if you want to be obsessive about it.) For shareware and freeware programs I have downloaded I keep them all in their own subfolder in an Install folder with copies on discs that I can bring on "house calls" with AV and malware programs for friends who get infected walking on the wild side of the internet.

And whatever. XP capable machines can be from free to $100.

There are some really good deals on used computers coming off lease from Dell and other vendors. They come with a Windows XP COA sticker which is important if you don't want to use pirated software. (If you bought a stand-alone version of XP I talked to MS customer service and you should be able to install it on another computer. "Try installing it first and if you have any problems call us back.")

If you don't mind a walk on the wild side your best bet is to find a clean copy of Windows XP Corporate (plain or 64-bit) which will install with the proper serial number with no need to activate. Wild Wild West<dot>nasul9<dot>ro/UPLOAD/serial<dot>txt

Steve Ahola

[soundguruman]

I think if you are using XP, you have missed the boat.
Win 7 graphics resolution / video resolution is so much better, it's like night and day.
Now that I use 7, XP looks "blurry" to me. 7 is that much better than you realize.
Building XP system is a waste compared to 7.

[big_teee]

I think if you are using XP, you have missed the boat.
Win 7 graphics resolution / video resolution is so much better, it's like night and day.
Now that I use 7, XP looks "blurry" to me. 7 is that much better than you realize.
Building XP system is a waste compared to 7.

Apples, Oranges?
IMHO your wasting your money if your not using Mint 14-15!
If a guy gets a refurb, and it has XP on it, and he don't want to spend more money?
Your saying why would you drive a impala to work when you could drive a Ferarri, or a Lamborghini?
They will both get you from Point A to Point B and Back to Point A!

[bob p]

if you don't like your XP video, get a better driver.

[Steve A.]

if you don't like your XP video, get a better driver.

Or a better video card. I work more efficiently with 64-bit XP and with my eyesight the graphic display is a very low priority. I prefer an OS that is not intrusive and lets me work my own way.

Funny that R.G. should mention having a backup computer- something got sucked into the CPU cooling fan tonight so I shut it off immediately. I had misplaced the right side panel on my 2009 HP screamer so I get all sorts of crap sucked in. I'm going to TAP Plastics tomorrow to have them make one out of smoked black plastic- I might use duct tape or velcro to hold it in place. Does anybody here know if the slde with the big sticker w the model # is perforated? Probably a good idea to include a few near the CPU cooling fan.

Steve Ahola (on my 10" Android tablet)

P.S. It was a good thing that this happened because I found the hold-down bolts for the CPU fan weren't holding down shit! Plastic pieces had broken off but I was able to replace them by epoxying in copper eyelets that fit perfectly! Now to wait overnight for the epoxy to cure- better to not rush it because I still am "connected" although not in the mafioso sense of the word.

[big_teee]

I just can't give up my TubeCad. I have an old laptop from '07 that has XP on it that I use to run Tubecad, but this can't go on forever. I'm going to build a new desktop for myself and have decided to go with Ubuntu or Mint for my OS.

It's been about 10 years since I've really messed with computers, so I'm really in need of catching up. From what I gather, I would partition a certain amount for Linux and another for XP. I only need XP to run TubeCad, so I figure I can load my original (without service packs - it's that old!) on and make sure I'm offline whenever I need it. Seriously, I only need XP to run TubeCad... OK, *maybe* Word '07 if Libre can't read the files, but that's it.

Reasonable plan? Easy enough for me to learn how to? Any hints, suggestions, help?

Thanks for anything you can throw my way!

John

I wonder what the OP came up with?
Hope it turned out well!
T

[bob p]

Or a better video card. I work more efficiently with 64-bit XP and with my eyesight the graphic display is a very low priority. I prefer an OS that is not intrusive and lets me work my own way.

I don't understand the claim that Windows 7 provides clearer video. Video resolution hasn't changed significantly in a long time. Video cards have supported higher resolution than affordable monitors could deliver for a long time as well. What has been a problem though, is that the MS-signed drivers are typically crappy drivers with a minimalist feature set and with bugs. If you want a decent driver then you had to get the OEM's updated proprietary driver.

Funny that R.G. should mention having a backup computer- something got sucked into the CPU cooling fan tonight so I shut it off immediately. I had misplaced the right side panel on my 2009 HP screamer so I get all sorts of crap sucked in. I'm going to TAP Plastics tomorrow to have them make one out of smoked black plastic- I might use duct tape or velcro to hold it in place. Does anybody here know if the slde with the big sticker w the model # is perforated? Probably a good idea to include a few near the CPU cooling fan.

I have an HP workstation that's missing the heavy metal side panel, and I have thought about fabricating a plastic panel also. But I've never gotten around to it and the box runs just fine with a missing side panel. Truth be told, operating with a removed panel has been the norm around here since I started hot-rodding boxes back in the 16-bit days. I was always putting new electronics into old cases, and the older generation cases never had as much air movement, so I ended up running skeletonized boxes.

[big_teee]

I noticed that Win7 had a real tight clear video resolution.
I notice that with different Linux Distros some have that blurry look.
The better ones like Fedora, Ubuntu, and mint, are nice and clear.
And, it may just be a driver issue, like formerly stated.
T

[Steve Conner]

There are potentially two issues:

If the right driver for your video card isn't installed, and you have a LCD monitor, your monitor might not be running at its "native resolution". It will look dreadful.

In the last few years, every OS has switched to using anti-aliasing on their text and graphics by default. (MS call it "Cleartype") Some OSs use more than others, and if overdone it can give a soft appearance to everything.

[soundguruman]

if you don't like your XP video, get a better driver.

There is no "better" video driver for XP. That's the point.
They put the better video in 7, now you have to buy 7 to get HD video.
FYI, there is no comparison. If you are using XP, you are looking at blurry video.

The application is drafting, and if you want the clearest detail, you don't want XP.
Yes, XP "works." But 7 is "clear."

And for all of you die-hards, who cling to your XP...
If you have a student email address at a college or legitimate high school, etc...
You can buy windows 7 pro, for $40, including the backup disk, From Digital River.
It's called: "Microsoft Software for Students."
You can also get a major price break if you are a teacher, etc...
you can also get photoshop, office, for similar discounts.

[Steve A.]

The application is drafting, and if you want the clearest detail, you don't want XP.
Yes, XP "works." But 7 is "clear."

OK I see your point- if crystal clear video is a requirement for drafting then you probably have a newer monitor and video card than me. I am running Office 2003, Acrobat (Writer) 7, Adobe Acrobat 3.1- all predating Vista and 7. Right now I am using my 2009 HP which has Win 7 on it but I want to switch back to my 2009 Gateway running Win XP 64-bit Pro.

Die-hards? I like to use what works for me and I guess you like to use what works for you.

Steve Ahola

[big_teee]

OK I see your point- if crystal clear video is a requirement for drafting then you probably have a newer monitor and video card than me. I am running Office 2003, Acrobat (Writer) 7, Adobe Acrobat 3.1- all predating Vista and 7. Right now I am using my 2009 HP which has Win 7 on it but I want to switch back to my 2009 Gateway running Win XP 64-bit Pro.

Die-hards? I like to use what works for me and I guess you like to use what works for you.

Steve Ahola

You're a creature of habit, and like to use what your used to.
Nothing wrong with that.
I have been playing off and on with the Linux since the 90s, and I like the mind set, of OpenSource.
The new releases work great and you still can't beat free.
IMO a Linux box is hard to beat, if you mainly just web-surf like I do.
I check for updates daily, and that's it!
T

[Steve A.]

I have an HP workstation that's missing the heavy metal side panel, and I have thought about fabricating a plastic panel also. But I've never gotten around to it and the box runs just fine with a missing side panel. Truth be told, operating with a removed panel has been the norm around here since I started hot-rodding boxes back in the 16-bit days. I was always putting new electronics into old cases, and the older generation cases never had as much air movement, so I ended up running skeletonized boxes.

Me, too. I'd been building my own computers and the one from ~2004 finally gave up the ghost. The proprietary CPU cooler mount broke in ~2011 and when trying to fix it with an epoxy repair my screwdriver landed in a bad spot-goodbye mobo! When I brought the old board into Fry's there was nothing like it anymore, and no mobo/CPU combo that would fit my old case that goes back to the 20th Century.

Back then Fry's was always putting really good deals with a housebrand mobo and one of last year's CPU's for ~$250. I usually had to buy a new power supply to match the new mobo, and would usually get a new video card, too, so the total was usually around $350-400. Less than something from HP or Compaq, and I wouldn't run into proprietary issues when repairing or upgrading it. Only in 2011, Fry's wasn't doing those cheap mobo/CPU combos anymore- they made more money selling new computers and it was no longer cost-effective to build your own.

I keep forgetting that I also have a real workhorse- a ~2006 Dell computer that came off lease a few years ago running XP w/ a real COA. It had PCI slots I was hoping to get my Roland SI-24/RPC automated mixer up and running again. No luck so far but people have been getting them to run with Reaper. This is built like a tank for businesses. One thing cool is that they put the same mobo in 4 different size cases with different expansion options- so they can all run the same Win XP mirrored image that was made after updating the OS and installing the needed programs.