coopec
N/A
Thanks for that excellent post.
I believe some of the other big boys like Samsung(?) also assist with software to make the switch-over easy. I have taken a screen shot of your post for future reference.
Thanks
Win 10 upgrade
- Thread starter zoidberg
- Start date
Thanks for that excellent post.
I believe some of the other big boys like Samsung(?) also assist with software to make the switch-over easy. I have taken a screen shot of your post for future reference.
Thanks
ShinyShoe
Well-Known Member
It very much depends what you do.
If you are a home user who is happy with an office equivalent (libre office) instead of Microsoft office you will be fine. But if you have some special software for making knitting patterns it may not work.
Some windows software will run through a system called wine (sailwave the race results software does). Some won't. For those there may well be Linux equivalents. For some there isn't.
The other things that might challenge may be hardware. Anything you plug in to a us. Port beyond mouse and keyboard needs some thought
Big John
Well-Known Member
We are all here to help each other as far as I am concerned. What I don't understand is how some people get so upset over trivia points of order.
coopec
N/A
I hope people won't find this "off topic"
"Why is Linux better than Windows?
Linux has access to source code and alters the code as per user need whereas Windows does not have access to source code. Linux will run faster than windows latest editions even with a modern desktop environment and features of the operating system whereas windows are slow on older hardware."
Linux vs Windows
I read that to mean there can be different versions of Linux to meet the needs of particular types of users. Whereas Windows is one size fits all.
5 Reasons You Should Switch From Windows To Linux Right Now
"Why is Linux better than Windows?
Linux has access to source code and alters the code as per user need whereas Windows does not have access to source code. Linux will run faster than windows latest editions even with a modern desktop environment and features of the operating system whereas windows are slow on older hardware."
Linux vs Windows
I read that to mean there can be different versions of Linux to meet the needs of particular types of users. Whereas Windows is one size fits all.
5 Reasons You Should Switch From Windows To Linux Right Now
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DaveRo
Well-Known Member
Read what ShinyShoe wrote - it depends what you do. If you need a program that only runs under Windows then use Windows. Your USB printer might not work.
If you think Linux might work for you, select a distribution that's aimed at you - novice ex-Windows user or whatever. Mint is often recommended - but I've not used it. Take a look at the support forum: you'll probably need it. Is it friendly or forbidding?
Download a 'live' version (doesn't need installing) and try it. Try more than one, and more than one 'desktop environment' (I use xfce which is simple).
Modern Linux systems are easy to use and install. But you will hit problems, or things will happen which are trivial but will defeat you.
If you think Linux might work for you, select a distribution that's aimed at you - novice ex-Windows user or whatever. Mint is often recommended - but I've not used it. Take a look at the support forum: you'll probably need it. Is it friendly or forbidding?
Download a 'live' version (doesn't need installing) and try it. Try more than one, and more than one 'desktop environment' (I use xfce which is simple).
Modern Linux systems are easy to use and install. But you will hit problems, or things will happen which are trivial but will defeat you.
Mistroma
Well-Known Member
I've downloaded lots of software off the internet. I always do a google (or duckduckgo) search on the suppier to see if the source is safe before downloading. There's nothing negative here for example
alexlinux38 (who I have purchased from)
AND (touch wood) I have never downloaded a virus.
Sounds as if you are about as careful as I am. My point was that it isn't wise to rely solely on a good feedback in eBay and that 99.1% isn't a reliable indicator on its own. Feedback isn't really set up to report problems developing some time after using a product. Most people only confirm that something was delivered and seemed to work.
I fully test anything I buy if I have equipment available and only send feedback when I'm certain everything is OK. Ebay do seem to be good at getting a full refund including all postage (at least so far) as long as you can provide proof.
I can't say I've never downloaded a virus, I deliberately spread one in IBM PCs in the early or mid. 80s but it was benign. I wrote it to make a backup of critical information on our company computers pre-network times. It spread via floppies but only to PCs owned by us (standard build). Kind of like an upgrade to the standard build but deployed by unknowing users. I have downloaded others for analysis but not in the last 25 years so not exactly up to speed.
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elton
Well-Known Member
There are few programs or printers that won't work under Linux these days, and installation couldn't be simpler.
Compatibility was my concern when I finally gave up on Window, but I've had no issues whatsoever. A software layer called Wine handles all the differences, transparently, between Windows and Linux, and makes the transition trivial. All but the most obscure printers work seamlessly under Linux thanks to the CUPS driver.
DaveRo
Well-Known Member
You've been lucky, then.
I've had several programs that wouldn't work under wine - particularly ones that use USB. My Garmin map updater won't. But it depends what you do. (Some might work these days with virtualbox - but I that's not for a beginner.)
My wife's Canon flat-bed scanner won't work under Linux. My current Brother Laser printer has problems with CUPs which I'm trying to get to the bottom of. (Brother provide Linux CUPS drivers.)
I can get round these inconveniences, but a beginner couldn't.
It's all better than it was, but it's not perfect.
I've had several programs that wouldn't work under wine - particularly ones that use USB. My Garmin map updater won't. But it depends what you do. (Some might work these days with virtualbox - but I that's not for a beginner.)
My wife's Canon flat-bed scanner won't work under Linux. My current Brother Laser printer has problems with CUPs which I'm trying to get to the bottom of. (Brother provide Linux CUPS drivers.)
I can get round these inconveniences, but a beginner couldn't.
It's all better than it was, but it's not perfect.
elton
Well-Known Member
The one program I needed, and a Linux version was not available, is a CCTV monitoring application. So I installed Virtualbox to run an Android OS, and installed the phone version of the CCTV software on it. USB can be an issue, but a workaround can often be found.
Davy_S
Well-Known Member
I use Linux Mint, everything i need works, printers, uploading camera photos etc, the only thing that beats me, is using my TomTom updates and TomTom home, i have to use my windoze laptop for that unfortunately, i would never buy another laptop that had windoze installed, windows 10 is like a big boys bedroom, i think 7 was the better OS.
ghostlymoron
Well-Known Member
When I got a new laptop recently it was preloaded with Windows 10 and I asked the shop whether my existing Microsoft Office 2003 would work, they told me it wouldn't and said I needed 365. I tried it and it works fine. I bought it for business use and it was a one off payment (quite expensive as I recall) office 365 is more designed for cloud use so Microsoft can charge you an annual subscription and charge for cloud storage as well - rip off.
zoidberg
Well-Known Member
My dear 'Big John'....
I've ( mostly ) done just that, thanks, following earlier guidance, thanks. Except.... I bought a BX500 SSD 'cos I'm a cheapskate and it's half the price! I did watch the videos - all of them - more than once 'cos I needed to, then went ahead. That worked.... all except the 'access to Acronis'. I couldn't get past the Ts&Cs screen 'cos the silly bugrs didn't make it possible to scroll the bottom of the warnings up onto my Notebook screen to clickon the tickbox, and nothing I tried would budge it! ( IT twonks, sheesh, what are they like!) I used another free clone tool.
I was smug enuff at that modest success ( an oxymoron, no? ) to rush out and buy a bigger MX500 for my desktop., for which I again thank those busy little elves at Amazon. Watch this space...!
I won't be upgrading my Notebook to Win 10, for that finishes on January 14, I've bugr'd something reconnecting the Notebook case, and it doesn't now charge the battery. I don't believe I can run the thing with the charger ( steady at 19V - checked with multimeter ) connected, for the battery charge reported is still declining.
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coopec
N/A
I have to agree with you.
If you needed a car to get around London area all you would need is a 4 cyl 1000cc, manual and no air-conditiong. But Microsoft sell you a V8 4WD, automatic with cruise control, GPS, air conditioning, electric seat warmer, electric windows and electric seat adjustment.
Maybe Microsoft are in BIG trouble?
coopec
N/A
Forbes
Jan 9, 2020, 07:24pm
Warning Issued For Millions Of Microsoft Windows 10 Users [Updated]
Windows 10 problems are ruining Microsoft’s reputation – and the damage can’t be understated
By Darren Allan September 28, 2019 (Techradar)
Windows 10 problems are ruining Microsoft’s reputation – and the damage can’t be understated
Jan 9, 2020, 07:24pm
Warning Issued For Millions Of Microsoft Windows 10 Users [Updated]
Windows 10 problems are ruining Microsoft’s reputation – and the damage can’t be understated
By Darren Allan September 28, 2019 (Techradar)
Windows 10 problems are ruining Microsoft’s reputation – and the damage can’t be understated
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ShinyShoe
Well-Known Member
Your analogy is not quite right. MS will sell you a fully functioning 4WD like you explained. But... That would actually be a reasonably functional and comfortable solution but is costly.
MS has noticed that you might not need a 4cyl 1000cc because you might be able to use a 1cyl 50cc 3 wheeled tuc tuc. MS thinks if it can get you 'on-board' with their brand so says you can have a MS tuc tuc for free. Sounds amazing. But they have actually taken the 4cyl 4WD, too a wheel off, blocked up 3 cylinders, took the fuse out all the extras like heated seats and poured epoxy in the fuse box so you can't just put the fuse back in to re-enable it.
zoidberg
Well-Known Member
Thread Update.
I changed my mind. Yes, I vacillate.... among other afflictions.
I determine that the cheeky little notebook WOULD function with 'mains charger connected, battery removed' so I decided just for larfs to crack on and try this Win 10 upgrade biz.
There were several difficulties along the way, several dead ends including a petulant Downloader Assistant, Powershell scripts and .ps1 files - but by very late last night/ silly o'clock this am it was apparent that the stuff had checked and investigated itself and downloaded downloader, and installed this and that and was on the home run.
The 'home run' being Windows 10 Updates.
I'm one of the few hopefuls who are overtaken by a new-release Win 10 Update while the last one is still downloading!!
I left it, and zonked out. Later, 'back at the ranch', the cutesy little thing had finished its navel-gazing and presentd me with a nice shiny Windows 10 'mountain lake' background. However, no sooner did I pick up the Bluetooth mouse than it started again into another round of upgrades - or was it the Firefox browser, or the Bitdefender a/v, or.....
Anyhoo, it's done. January 14 now holds no regrets. I can die happy that I've Upgraded To Windows 10 without deploying a seven-year old..... although quite what I'll do with it remains an unanswerable conundrum.
coopec
N/A
You fool! Your problems have just started
What I'm sore about is that I paid $240 for Win 10 rubbish.
I don't think we've heard the last of the Win 10 debacle. Maybe Linux will become the major player in operating systems as everyone seems to be complaining.
neil_s
Well-Known Member
I'm keeping W7 - at least for a while - just installed aftermarket virus and firewall. Still got XP on the laptop!
zoidberg
Well-Known Member
You fool! Your problems have just started
I don't think we've heard the last of the Win 10 debacle.
I'll have to concede the first point.... My many mistakes in life are too well known to pretend otherwise.
As for 'more problems', I won't be surprised. Only some of them will be retail IT related. However, my refurb'd geriatric Dell Optiplex desktop was transfused with a refreshing glug of Win 10 more than a year ago, and it's behaving like a teenager. Interpret that how you will!It's no big deal if my wee Notebook becomes more temperamental - I can reverse the process, should I feel sufficiently agitated about it. The world will continue turning...
Thanks to all!
ProDave
Well-Known Member
Why did you pay that much?
I paid less that £15 for a W10 install USB stick from ebay, complete with a product key, to rebuild SWMBO's laptop recently. As it happened it did not even ask for the product key so I still have that spare.