Install Linux on old laptop

Ztruker · 15 Apr 2014

Sven1458 said:

My question is: can I just install any software, either DOS or Windows to the hard drive, or am I limited to what Zorin has to offer?

I can't answer that at the moment. I can't even figure out how to install Firefox on Zorin, so maybe I'll go back to playing with Mint Mate as whs suggested. I've got that running in a Virtual machine as well.

What I liked about Zorin is that it doers look a lot like Windows 7.

whs · 15 Apr 2014

I can't even figure out how to install Firefox on Zorin

LOL, Go to Start > Internet > Zorin web browser. Then the window on the right opens from where you can install it. Opera did not work for me but the other 3 do work.

Ztruker · 15 Apr 2014

Great demo. I'll be using it tomorrow to try Mint Mate again. Thanks

whs · 15 Apr 2014

Speaking of demo - here is some fun I had with Zorin:

Ztruker · 17 Apr 2014

Zorin is flaky, or at least it was when I tried it.

Mint has been rock solid so far.

whs · 17 Apr 2014

I agree. For a day to day operation, Mint Mate is the way to go. But Zorin is nice as a study object and maybe over time they can get the bugs out.

Sven1458 · 18 Apr 2014

Hi all,

I have installed ( separately ) all 3 of the above Linux flavors.

Every one installed just fine and had no problem finding my internet connection.

Also my printer was found and after downloading Thunderbird I was able to access my e-mail.

So far so good.

Installing Windows programs are a little tricky if not impossible.

I downloaded “ Wine ”, that is supposed to make windows programs run.

I was able to get the installer going within Wine and it started to install, but eventually the program is looking for a specific .dll file in System32 and cannot find it, because the folder does not exist. The supplied office suite LibreOffice has a “Base” program, but cannot read .mdb files from MSOffice. Spreadsheets and text documents are fine.

So as a test I installed windows 7 ultimate and to my surprise it runs better then XP.

Now I have to decide if I want to spend the money and buy awin 7 key.

Regardless, thanks for all the input.

Sven

whs · 19 Apr 2014

If you need Windows programs, you need Windows. I never had a lot of luck with the Wine either.

If you go with Linux, you are in another world. Then you have to use the Linux programs. Those are different but many of them are quite good. But I understand - for a seasoned Windows user, the switch to Linux is not easy.

That's why I run it in virtual and from the stick and use it mainly for internet access (is safer).

gilloz · 19 Apr 2014

You might want to see if your YouTube videos will work. I tried installing Ubuntu 10.04 or 12.04 and YouTube would not work at all. Something about the chip being too old to accept the Adobe Flashplayer. Shockplayer would not work at all. Something about SSE2 in the chip. I still have it installed in my old desktop computer, but without YouTube functioning. Matter of fact, the only video that works is from the DVD player. No videos on Websites pages will work along with YouTube.