XP to Linux Mint questions

henm2

OP might find it easier installing Windows 7. Of all the Windows systems I have tried 7 and 10 (I know its controversial) have been quite good.

Windows 10 is probably not suitable for an old machine but I have found it to perform like an enhanced version of 7 and far better than the awful 8.

The printer drivers for the Samsung printer should work with the above systems.

My current Linux recommendations for old computers are the 32 bit versions of Linux Mint 18 xfce, LXLE, Solydx, and another good one is PCLinuxOS. Further information about some of these available from here https://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major

AndyPix

Norman_Castle wrote: »

I joined a linux forum. They suggested I type code into a box

This made me laugh

esuhl

Norman_Castle wrote: »

I had given up but after typing all that I feel obliged to try. Maybe in a few days I'll have another go. I'm tempted to delete mint and reinstall it or another linux in case I have sidelined what should be a straight forward process while figuring out how the operating system works. There's nothing stored on it. I can import my firefox bookmarks and passwords easily enough.

I know the first few times I installed GNU/Linux, I completely trashed the system almost immediately because I didn't really understand what I was doing. It turns out that I don't get on well with all the Linux distros that are supposed to be "easy to use" because, in making everything "easy to use", they add so many layers of additional complexity that when something goes wrong it's hard to find out why. I guess it's a bit like modern cars that have computer-controlled engines.

On the bright side, breaking things is a good way to gain an understanding of how things work! And hopefully you can tolerate the learning curve. It really does get easier.

Norman_Castle wrote: »

Location. Empty. No idea what to put

I think it's just a human-readable text field.

Location: On Norman's desk.

Norman_Castle wrote: »

Does anyone know what the printer URI is? Once I know this I can work with what I've got.

Norman_Castle wrote: »

Printer state. Processing - Unable to locate printer "cups-server".

I haven't used CUPS for ages, but I think the URI for a local USB printer should be generated automatically. Otherwise, try this:

ipp:computername:631/printers/printername

Replacing computername and printername with the names of your computer and printer respectively.

Jim431

I have LinuxMint 18 and this insider rant pretty much sums up what I think....

https://itvision[dot]altervista[dot]org/why.linux.is.not.ready.for.the.desktop.current.html

Its a real shame cos I really do want it to work properly.

Norman_Castle

This made me laugh

I joined the linux forum because after installing mint 17.2xfce, which was advised as better than mint 18 for older computers, it had firefox 38 pre installed which kept telling me to update to version 50 but I couldn't update it. I was told to type code into a box. After a bit of googling and figuring out the operating system I used the software manager to delete ff 38 and install ff 50. Very easy. No code needed.

Type code into a box seems to be the standard response from linux users. Why not use the operating system?
Linux users seem to have a high proportion of tikerers. A bit like classic car owners who prefer polishing and tweaking instead of driving.

Fightsback

Jim431 wrote: »

I have LinuxMint 18 and this insider rant pretty much sums up what I think....

https://itvision[dot]altervista[dot]org/why.linux.is.not.ready.for.the.desktop.current.html

Its a real shame cos I really do want it to work properly.

Pay and use Windows or Mac then, alternatively contribute upstream code, donate or get involved in bug squashing and fixing. Nobody said Linux is perfect but it's free and infinitely customisable with far more OS fall back tools than Windows.

Linux desktop is not for computer novices who wish to stay novices but is for those who are prepared to learn and advance their knowledge.

Do you enjoy the rewards of gardening or prefer to pay someone else to do it ?

ThemeOne

Fightsback wrote: »

Linux desktop is not for computer novices who wish to stay novices but is for those who are prepared to learn and advance their knowledge.

Agreed - and learning Linux also means you learn more about Windows and OSX too, in the same way learning one foreign language helps you learn another.

It's just whether or not you're up for that learning experience.

Norman_Castle

Its finally working.

I deleted the printers, A 320, a 325 and a second 325 renamed laserjet. and restarted mint. Linux searched and found a Samsung 320 connected via usb. No idea why it didn't find it the first time. It was connected and switched on.

It prints as it should on a test page although there is a massive lag between pressing print and printing. Hopefully installing my second printer will be easy.

I'll stick with mint for now. It does seem slightly laggy at times and some things can be slow to open.

I like the random screensavers. I tend to wander off during the day and finding something new on the screen is good.
The trampoline cows and the rapid colourful rectangles are current favourites.

Thanks for everyones help.

Norman_Castle

Fightsback wrote: »

Do you enjoy the rewards of gardening or prefer to pay someone else to do it ?

If you use a computer via an operating system aren't you just tidying up after the gardener has gone?

Norman_Castle

esuhl wrote: »

I think it's just a human-readable text field.

Location: On Norman's desk.

I tried, On the floor, but it didn't compute.

Location is the computer name

Device URI, usb://Samsung/CLP-320%20Series?serial=Z4