Any Decent free operating systems?

OwtForNowt

Hi everybody.

My PC got a 'worm' the other day and totally stopped working (Even in safemode) so iv sacked it off as unsavable.

So im now on an old(ish) laptop. The thing is this has Windows7 Ultimate on it, the free download that windows offered about a year ago. Now I am getting a message in my notification that this expires in 9 days. So im guessing I need a new system.

I cant really afford to pay for one so was wondering what the best thing to do is?

Thanks.

bat999

OwtForNowt wrote: »

I cant really afford to pay for one so was wondering what the best thing to do is?

Thanks.

Install an Open Source operating system such as Linux.

OwtForNowt

bat999 wrote: »

Install an Open Source operating system such as Linux.

Thanks. Is that compatable with such things as msn or will i just need to use that e-buddy thing on it?

Taffybiker

One of the favourites is Ubuntu. This comes with many applications, including Pidgin - a MSN compatible messenger.

Esqui

Also, try Linux Mint. It's Ubuntu-based, but much nicer looking and comes with a bit more already set up.

The great thing about most Linux distributions is that you can run them as a 'live CD', so you can see if you'll get on with the interface, and if it's going to work properly with your hardware: try before you buy! (remember it'll run more slowly off the CD)

closed

A worm infection is saveable, use antivirus software, malwarebytes, or reinstall the OS

PROLIANT

Microsoft Windows®

fiddiwebb

Some of these look interesting..........

http://royal.pingdom.com/2008/09/26/10-amazingly-alternative-operating-systems-and-what-they-could-mean-for-the-future/

HO87

Definitely Linux. Lots of different "flavours" to chose from but I'd recommend that as a newbie you sample some of the better supported versions such as Ubuntu, Fedora, Mint or even OpenSuSe at a push. All have Live CD versions which are available to download but if you are stuck at the moment with no means of downloading then there are two Linux oriented monthly mags - Linux Format and Linux Magazine (you can get these from the larger supermarkets or somewhere like W H Smiths) - and each have free sampler discs each month containing Live CD versions of various "flavours" and sometimes several versions on one disc. A Live CD allows you to run the OS from the CD/DVD player of your laptop and get a feel for whether you like it or not without installing it. Importantly, you can see if it will run on you laptop first - as esqui suggested above.

Most people shy away from trying Linux because they are unfamiliar with it, suspect that if its free it can't be any good and worry that they can't manage without their favourite Windows applications. If unfamiliarity was a valid argument then we'd never change our cars, move house or go on holiday somewhere new. As for wanting to run MS applications then you can add additional software (all free) like Wine which allows alot of those "favourites" to run in Linux. Linux long ago ceased to be the territory of the geek although there are several "fringe" distros that keep the "nerdie" happy.

At present - apart from running XP on my works laptop - I use Ubuntu on our main machine at home and OpenSuSe on a secondary one. We have no problems whatsoever in existing in a MS free environment using Songbird as our iTunes alternative; Pidgin instead of MSN; OpenOffice instead of MS Office; GIMPshop instead of Photoshop and run the otherwise familiar Mozilla Firefox, Thunderbird and Skype.

I willingly admit it felt a little strange to start with but it really was very easy to get to grips with and the thought then of using a Terminal to "tweak" programmes felt odd in the extreme. However, as the OH said, I drive a car and don't always understand the fuel injection system. Doesn't mean I can't drive it.

Finally, if you really wanted something that keeps a Windows-style about it then there is PCLinuxOS which has the feel of a crossover between XP and Windows 98.

Snooze

PROLIANT wrote: »

Microsoft Windows®

:rotfl:

Clearly you didn't see the words "decent" and "free" in the thread title...

bat999

PROLIANT wrote: »

Microsoft Windows®

Yeah, which part of 'Decent free operating system' do you not understand?