TECH 15 Year Old Computer Still Online

Reasonable Rascal

Veteran Member
Damn you, sir. A demon incarnate is what you are. The temptation, OH!!! the temptation!! (said in jest for those members who are humorously challenged)

On the other hand Bill Gates would make a fairly decent (little "a") anti-christ with his effect on the world.

You see, antiquated ideas of kindness and generosity are simply bugs that must be programmed out of our world. And these cold, unfeeling machines show us the way. (Bill Gates)

RR
 

marsofold

Veteran Member
Browsing this forum on my 2 core Intel processor, 75Gb Raptor drive, and Windows XP. Operating system last installed about 5 years ago. Some video stuff won't play on it, but otherwise fine...
 

tm1439m

Veteran Member
Browsing this forum on my 2 core Intel processor, 75Gb Raptor drive, and Windows XP. Operating system last installed about 5 years ago. Some video stuff won't play on it, but otherwise fine...
I have the same issues with video. Not a deal breaker but it is annoying. Also if I open any windows that have popups some times everything comes to a halt for a bit. Again annoying but I get through it. Mostly you just have to have patience. I know what to avoid generally but the internet trickery gets me every now and then.
 

Dennis Olson

Chief Curmudgeon
_______________
Browsing this forum on my 2 core Intel processor, 75Gb Raptor drive, and Windows XP. Operating system last installed about 5 years ago. Some video stuff won't play on it, but otherwise fine...
This forum is safe. Since it’s a private server, we don’t have anything on it that I don’t know about. But other sites? Never with out of date software.
 

Nich1

Veteran Member
A few notes on operating systems (from a clueless dude): I'm great with hardware. I've built several computers and can repair almost anything that goes out on our desktops. On the other hand, I'm terrible with software and am absolutely certain that Windoz is a product created by devils and gremlins (genuflects and makes the sign of the cross)!

One thing that annoyed me greatly is that after Win 3.1, there was too much to learn every time Windoz came out with yet another iteration. In that respect, it is similar to the annoyance I feel towards modern mechanics. In times past, someone could be a fairly good backyard mechanic understanding basic engine tech, ignitions and carbs - across different makes and models. In more recent decades everything has become completely high tech and computerized and it's different for every model of vehicle. A modern mechanic's education never ends, similar to a computer techs. Hey, I'm not begrudging mechanic's or computer tech's salaries. They earn it! It's just that with my limited time and, to be honest, inclination, I haven't wanted to devote the time to really learn most modern mechanics or operating systems.

Sooo, years back I discovered Linux and life suddenly got better! A free download or a $5 disc from eBay and you get a virtually trouble-free OS that's (almost) completely compatible with anything on the internet. Also, it's virtually immune to viruses. No back doors and it requires an affirmative command from you to let anything in.

Now like nearly everyone who owns a computer, I was hesitant to install a completely new OS at the expense of Win. I think the various Linux developers understood that so every version of Linux I've tried gives you the option of installing a dual boot menu. IOW when the menu comes up, you can open Win or Linux. There's no reason to get rid of Win, just to install LInux. Eventually, I just deleted Windows and haven't looked back. The machine I'm posting this from is pure Linux, though DW's machine is still dual boot.

If any of you are reluctant to try LInux take it from me - a real computer idiot - that it's completely painless (and easy) to install. Further, you don't have to lose Windoz as you become accustomed to Linux. As a bonus, everything seems to run noticeably faster on Linux.

I hope this helps some of you who've been hesitant to take the Linux plunge.

Best
Doc
This thread has caused me to begin "rethinking" what to do about Windows 7. I used XP for years after it was no longer supported with no problems but with the changes about technology and the vulnerability of being online, it's probably time to do something.

I looked on ebay, Doc, as you suggested for Linux. Quite a few listings there. Then I searched for Linux and found "free" downloads. Any chance of getting a little more explanation about what would be best? I think a tutorial would be good to have. Yes, I can do basics on the computer but if you get into a jam, it seems you'd be out of luck. Thanks for any suggestions.
 

changed

Preferred pronouns: dude/bro
This thread has caused me to begin "rethinking" what to do about Windows 7. I used XP for years after it was no longer supported with no problems but with the changes about technology and the vulnerability of being online, it's probably time to do something.

I looked on ebay, Doc, as you suggested for Linux. Quite a few listings there. Then I searched for Linux and found "free" downloads. Any chance of getting a little more explanation about what would be best? I think a tutorial would be good to have. Yes, I can do basics on the computer but if you get into a jam, it seems you'd be out of luck. Thanks for any suggestions.
Just a thought or two. Pick a version of Linux, such as Debian. I will use that when I finally get moving on this. Find the home website. Download from there. Never use any other site, nothing with ads on it. Make sure you get this right.
Never download any software that is not from that home site. No screensavers, no menu buttons. No “free” games. Nothing.
 

changed

Preferred pronouns: dude/bro

sy32478

Veteran Member
For older PCs, Mint Linux using XFCE is a good starting point. To use DOS programs! DosBox is your free friend.

Donald Shimoda - endless space looks an awful lot like Wing Commander Privateer which I loved and sometimes still play. Must try Endless Sky ASAP
 

Tex88

Veteran Member
This thread has caused me to begin "rethinking" what to do about Windows 7. I used XP for years after it was no longer supported with no problems but with the changes about technology and the vulnerability of being online, it's probably time to do something.

I looked on ebay, Doc, as you suggested for Linux. Quite a few listings there. Then I searched for Linux and found "free" downloads. Any chance of getting a little more explanation about what would be best? I think a tutorial would be good to have. Yes, I can do basics on the computer but if you get into a jam, it seems you'd be out of luck. Thanks for any suggestions.

You don't need to go to eBay to get Linux. All you have to do is download and install it. I can recommend this one for beginners:


And honestly, I don't understand how people can stand using antique (older than 5 years) hardware. Until a year ago, my job was supporting legacy IVRs (interactive voice recognition systems, i.e. the machines that pick up the phone when you call your bank and irritate you to no end) and even that was a mighty PITA, seeing how the hardware and software were originally from the early 1990s. Everything needed to be beaten with sticks to work on modern hardware and operating systems!
Well everybody went to the cloud for their VoIP and IVR needs and the company I worked for went t.u., so right now I'm doing Win7 to 10 transitions for a huge company in this area.
 

Doc1

Has No Life - Lives on TB
You don't need to go to eBay to get Linux. All you have to do is download and install it. I can recommend this one for beginners:


And honestly, I don't understand how people can stand using antique (older than 5 years) hardware. Until a year ago, my job was supporting legacy IVRs (interactive voice recognition systems, i.e. the machines that pick up the phone when you call your bank and irritate you to no end) and even that was a mighty PITA, seeing how the hardware and software were originally from the early 1990s. Everything needed to be beaten with sticks to work on modern hardware and operating systems!
Well everybody went to the cloud for their VoIP and IVR needs and the company I worked for went t.u., so right now I'm doing Win7 to 10 transitions for a huge company in this area.


Man, I wish people would read my posts (and other's posts) in their entirety before quoting and replying. I never said that you had to go to eBay to buy Linux and I specifically did say that you could download it (free). I've done both and will note that the Linux download(s) takes a lot of time - even with high speed - to finish. For $5 or so you can buy the discs from one of many eBay sellers. This this is my preferred method, as you have then the physical discs in hand if you ever need to re-install or load into another machine. Needless to say, eBay is not the only source for the OS. I only mentioned it because so many people use it.

Best
Doc
 

Don Quixote

To dream the impossible dream...
For $5 or so you can buy the discs from one of many eBay sellers.....
Doc

I've downloaded about 5 LINUX distros to thumb drives, run them through RUFUS, done command prompt checksums (not easy for a senile antique) and I can't get any of them to boot on either my old Compaq Presario or current Lenovo laptop.
I got one to load up on the laptop but in order to instal it it wanted to re format my HD, which would wipe W7 and all my data. I declined.
On these mail order USB drive distros, (This LT has no optical drive) can I just plug one into the port, re start and have it boot up?
Would like to dual boot over W7 if I can. Got plenty of space left on HD.
An update notice just popped up this morning and I let it download a couple of security updates.
I thought they stopped all support for W7 - so what's it doing still updating?
Not sure I trust updates, as I think they used an "update" to destroy my XP, and later W7 on another unit forcing me to "upgrade" to W10 - which I detest.
If they pull that stunt again I'll just install (or attempt to) LINUX and restore whatever data and apps I've got left on various XHDs and USB media, never looking back on Windoze.
 

WalknTrot

Veteran Member
Just a note to add to the discussion..

A couple days ago a good friend asked me to come over and help set up her shiney new laptop that came with Windows 10. I warned her I had no experience with it, but should be able to muddle through. She loaded up on dark chocolate and single malt...just in case we needed it. ;)

Actually was pleasantly surprised at how intuitive the software was, and navigating into the deeper guts of the system to tweak things wasn't nearly as bad as I'd anticipated. Guess I won't fight the upgrade much longer, and would probably try to get used to the new OS on a replacement machine of my own now that I've had a chance to mess with it.
 

Dennis Olson

Chief Curmudgeon
_______________
What have been saying for two years now? I wanted to hate Win10, but it won me over quickly. It’s a great o/s, “phone home” crap notwithstanding.
 
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