Alternatives to Windows

stphnstevey

I have an old PC, it has Windows Me on!

It doesn't run that well and has a few crashes. Tried reinstalling Windows but no effect. It doesn't have the hardware to take the newer versions of Windows and I don't really want to pay out for them. Many programs won't run on that old an operating system.

I just want to use it as web browser and movie/mp3 player and store some family photos

I've been looking into alternatives to Windows.

Ubuntu seems to be recommended and Firefox and Flash run on it and has it's own version of windows media player.

Also Linux, but I haven't a clue how to install Linux.

Would I need to uninstall Windows first before trying to install either (I have the instalation disc for Win Me).

Any help and advice is appreciated!

penrhyn

Ubuntu is just a version of linux.

Browntoa

you can dual boot if you want to keep windows

http://www.linux.com/archive/feature/113945

or for ubuntu

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WindowsDualBoot

stphnstevey

Thanks, but is it the best alternative to Windows?

Are there any better you would recommend?

23n1th

Ubuntu might struggle on hardware that old I'd go for something like SliTaz or Puppy or maybe a cloud based distro like Peppermint.

These are worth a read too: Linux is not Windows , Why Linux is better and Reason to switch to linux

Browntoa

I've used puppy , worked well on an old PC , think it was a K6 processor and 128mb ram

GunJack

another vote for puppy here

macman

Cam I be wildly controversial and suggest Windows XP? Should be possible depending on your hardware, and maybe with just some more RAM?

Pound

stphnstevey wrote: »

Ubuntu seems to be recommended and Firefox and Flash run on it and has it's own version of windows media player.

Also Linux, but I haven't a clue how to install Linux.

I use Ubuntu and I think it's ideal for an alternative to Windows since it has a very easy to use Interface. Most programs you use in Windows should have equivelants in Ubuntu.

Installing new software seems a lot easier in Ubuntu. It comes with an application that lets you find and install new programs, which is all free (and legal).

Would I need to uninstall Windows first before trying to install either (I have the instalation disc for Win Me).

No. When you install you will have the option to overwrite. I think you also have the option to have both OSes running side by side and you will get a menu when you boot your computer.

I personally find that I need both Ubuntu and Windows because some software I need doesn't exist in Ubuntu or it's too fiddly and risky to try and use an alternative.

alexlyne

3 years ago it took 3 days to install my USB broadband modem on a linux machine - framented/incorrect info on the internet was the main problem. Kinda put me off really. Though after getting a 'proper' modem (i.e. ethernet connection) it was much better. I still don't use it though, preferring the ease of Win7 with my software.
For day-to day use, linux is a good solution. You can evern try it out with a bootable CD. (I played with ubuntu fwiw).

PZH

alexlyne wrote: »

3 years ago it took 3 days to install my USB broadband modem on a linux machine - framented/incorrect info on the internet was the main problem.

Similar experience with Ubuntu - my network adaptor was allowing windows to power it down (?) when windows shutdown - when Ubuntu loaded it would power back on.

Info was very fragmented on the internet, but finally tracked down a solution and changed the settings for the Network adaptor (within Windows - which I never quite understood :rotfl: )

However - it is a good dual boot system now.