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Geek Culture / Ubuntu Questions

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Travis Gatlin
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Location: Oxford, Alabama
Posted: 8th Oct 2011 21:32
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My friend is giving me an extremely old laptop computer, according to him, it is from '98 and i am wanting to install Ubuntu on it and i have a couple of questions.

#1. Would it be feasible to install such a modern OS on to such an old computer?

#2. If feasible, then would it be worth it? Or should i go with the installation alongside windows option?

#3. I've done some research on a program called WINE which is a Windows API emulator that is often used with Ubuntu to run windows Binary. Is it reliable? If not, then is there any more reliable alternatives?

I hope you guys can answer my questions, Thanks in advance.

http://awolthehunted.blogspot.com/
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Indicium
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Posted: 8th Oct 2011 22:21
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If it's from 98 I wouldn't bother.

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Ocho Geek
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Posted: 9th Oct 2011 00:44
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ubuntu might not run on a laptop that old well because of the GUI ubuntu uses. though if your not comfortable with a Command-based interface, then it can't hurt to give it a shot. perhaps it could run chromium-os instead?


Not Spanish, Not Eight, Just Ocho

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heyufool1
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Posted: 9th Oct 2011 00:49
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May I ask why you want Ubuntu on such an old computer instead of Windows?

"So hold your head up high and know. It's not the end of the road"
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Travis Gatlin
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Posted: 9th Oct 2011 02:44
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Eh, a new OS that's not windows based is good for a change, and i need windows for my primary computer.

@Ocho Geek
What's Chromium OS?

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Neuro Fuzzy
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Posted: 9th Oct 2011 04:05
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Arch Linux is where its at.

If the Ubuntu GUI (gnome 3.0 i think) won't run or is too slow, you could uninstall it and install something else (like xfce or lxde).

Plus, once you get arch linux set up you'll be competent with command line stuff.

I'm just saying this because for most people, the cycle goes install ubuntu -> say "Hey there's nothing special" -> install something else. The GUI stuff out there isn't really great for day to day use, and since most people don't know how to use the command line they install another OS.

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Travis Gatlin
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Posted: 9th Oct 2011 05:19
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I just installed Ubuntu alongside windows and i actually like it a lot! It's user friendly, noticeably faster than Windows (which is heavily needed with a weakling computer like mine), and i really do like the interface a lot! Reminds me a lot of OSX or something of the like.

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bitJericho
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Posted: 9th Oct 2011 06:04
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If it's from 98 it'll more than likely not run the GUI. I'd recommend windows 2000 for something somewhat modern that runs extremely well on old hardware. You might also be able to run xfce in linux but that'll probably be pushing it.


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Ocho Geek
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Posted: 9th Oct 2011 15:11
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Quote: "What's Chromium OS?"


Chrome OS is an operating system which runs nothing but Google chrome, though it only comes pre-installed on chromebooks. Chromium OS is the open source version which you should be able to install.

It may or may not run on that laptop though. Jerico's suggestion is probably good, from what I've heard Win2000 is basically XP without the sparkly UI


Not Spanish, Not Eight, Just Ocho

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Travis Gatlin
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Posted: 9th Oct 2011 16:32
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How would i get Win2000? I mean it's over 11 years old apparently, wouldn't it be a bit difficult or expensive to find?

http://awolthehunted.blogspot.com/
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Benjamin
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Posted: 9th Oct 2011 17:39 Edited at: 9th Oct 2011 17:41
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Quote: "How would i get Win2000? I mean it's over 11 years old apparently, wouldn't it be a bit difficult or expensive to find?"


I would so hunt for it online.

.com



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heyufool1
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Posted: 9th Oct 2011 17:44
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Quote: "I would so hunt for it online.

.com"

I see what you did there

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Destrugter 1
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Posted: 10th Oct 2011 23:58
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Quote: " noticeably faster than Windows"


I wouldn't go as far as saying its faster than Windows...perhaps what you meant is the fact that it doesn't run so many services automatically, bogging down your resources

My name is Brian.
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Travis Gatlin
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Posted: 11th Oct 2011 00:17
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As far as i have noticed, yes, it is really, my whole setup is very weak and this OS is pretty lightweight to run, I'm on it right now typing this message, and there's absolutely no delays, whilst on windows, it would take a second or two just to detect that i pressed a key.

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Destrugter 1
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Posted: 11th Oct 2011 00:22
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But the OS itself does not determine the speed of your computer...I think you missed the point of my post...the hardware determines the speed...the only thing you notice is less services running in the background

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Indicium
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Posted: 11th Oct 2011 00:41
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Quote: "whilst on windows, it would take a second or two just to detect that i pressed a key."


You may want to just... reinstall if that's the case.

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Ocho Geek
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Posted: 11th Oct 2011 23:40
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Quote: "it would take a second or two just to detect that i pressed a key.
"


that needs sorting, but boot times are significantly faster than windows. On my system, I have to wait a minute after booting before the desktop reacts properly


Not Spanish, Not Eight, Just Ocho

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Travis Gatlin
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Posted: 12th Oct 2011 00:54
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Quote: ".the hardware determines the speed"

My point exactly, this is easier on my hardware, much easier, therefore making my system use less power to run, and, as logic would tell, my computer runs faster.
Quote: "boot times are significantly faster than windows."

Agreed. I sometimes have to wait 5 minutes or more just to get my system running at a decent rate with windows.

http://awolthehunted.blogspot.com/
For the latest news on my FPS in development, check out my blog!
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Neuro Fuzzy
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Posted: 12th Oct 2011 01:36
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Quote: "Agreed. I sometimes have to wait 5 minutes or more just to get my system running at a decent rate with windows."


*with windows after being used for several years having twenty programs start up upon boot.

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Travis Gatlin
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Posted: 14th Oct 2011 02:09
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Actually, i only have about 5 programs on boot.

http://awolthehunted.blogspot.com/
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Ocho Geek
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Posted: 14th Oct 2011 19:44
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yeah, I only have steam and AVG open on startup, still takes ages. Obviously I can't gain back the lost speed since the fresh install, but Ubuntu doesn't get this clutter along the way


Not Spanish, Not Eight, Just Ocho

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Travis Gatlin
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Posted: 15th Oct 2011 00:32
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Eh, i guess it's irrelevant now anyway, my friend threw away the computer that i was going to install Ubuntu on.

http://awolthehunted.blogspot.com/
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