Regular readers may recall that I have posted a whole series of problems with my PC. Slow running, freezing etc etc. The list goes on.
Right. Shall I buy a new PC?
My existing PC is a five and a half year old Mesh.
I am considering a Novatech iflame - very well reviewed in Which? What do you think?
To get away from Microsoft, would I cope with installing and running Linux? I have had a quick look on the Linux website and couldn't see where you buy the stuff. Are there Linux stockists on the high street?
I am also using Microsoft Office, would I cope with Open Office?
Any advice will be gratefully received.
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Duncan, this month's pc pro mag has a comparison of Linux v MS, so start there. BUT Linux requires a degree of technical knowledge so, excuse me, but is it for you? And you don't buy it, you download a distribution and install it.
MS Office does not run on Linux, you would have to use one of the compatible-ish equivalents. Nor do things like Photoshop Elements. The enthusiasts will be along in a mo to tell you what you can use instead but for the average user MS is the way to go. What have you got against it incidentally? W7 is miles ahead of Vista and much better than XP.
JH
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The only reason I run Windows on my main machine is that I need to play about with new security software and I am a big fan of Photoshop Elelements. On all my second PCs I run Ubuntu and I have never looked back.
You don't need to purchase Linux you simply download it. Ubutnu should be a doddle to install but if you do need to isntall any drivers it can be difficult. I personaly would stick with Windows but try a live CD.
As for a five year old computer this is the borderline age where I put it client the repair might not be cost effective. If you have the money I would buy a new computer.
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Chances are the new computer will have Windows 7 pre installed anyway, although some people have managed to get a refund for the cost of windows it's not easy from what I remember reading.
Linux does usually run better on older hardware than windows, so to me it would make more sense to try linux on your old computer, maybe try a live cd. What Rattle says about drivers is true, wireless network drivers used to be the biggest headache although I couldn't say if this is still the case.
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Its hit and miss although on my netbook installing the drivers has been very easy to do. Not really sure about Linux being better for older computers, it really depends on the distro. You won't get Ubuntu to run properly with 512MB of RAM but its more than happy with 1GB for example. Vista isn't happy with 1GB.
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>> Linux requires a degree of technical knowledge so, excuse me, but is it
>> for you?
Quite right, if it requires a degree of technical knowledge, then it probably isn't for me.
>> MS is the way to go. What have you got against it incidentally? W7 is miles
>> ahead of Vista and much better than XP.
>>
>> JH
>>
Nothing against MS in itself. I read that there is less spam in your mail, if you move away from MS.
Novatech seem to be happy to sell PCs without pre-installed OS. Would it be a good idea to buy a PC without Windows, but buy Windows 7 separately on a CD? The thinking being that should there be a problem in the future, I can re-install on a CD (or whatever). If so which would the best method to go for?
What is the difference between 32bit and 64 bit? Is there a choice? If so, which one to go for?
Thank you for the responses.
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>> Nothing against MS in itself. I read that there is less spam in your mail,
>> if you move away from MS.
Spam in mail has nothing to do with your choice of perating system. Changing your ISP provider or mailbox is the only way to change it.
>> What is the difference between 32bit and 64 bit? Is there a choice? If so,
>> which one to go for?
64 bit windows can use more memory, and is less "clunky" (I will spare you the technical whyfors)
If your printer is less than three years old, then go for 64 bit windows. (there will be a 64 bit device driver for it)
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>>If your printer is less than three years old, then go for 64 bit windows. (there will be a 64 bit device driver for it) >>
Not definitive. My Epson R300 is over four years old and it works fine with Windows7 with the Epson 64bit driver for it.
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>> >>If your printer is less than three years old, then go for 64 bit windows.
>> (there will be a 64 bit device driver for it) >>
>>
>> Not definitive. My Epson R300 is over four years old and it works fine with
>> Windows7 with the Epson 64bit driver for it.
I think the quote was meant to be read the other way ie provided your printer is under 3yo it will have no probs with 64bit. That does not exclude the possibility of older kit having drivers /being friggable for 64bit.
Last edited by: Bromptonaut on Wed 1 Sep 10 at 23:06
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Duncan, Z has covered most of your questions but wrt to having a CD the answer is YES!!
You may never use it, but it is most emphatically A Good Thing to have the install CD/DVD. Most manufacturers put a "Recovery partition" onto the disk. Fat lot of use that is when the disk dies.
And I guarantee that you would be able to do a Windows 7 install.
If Novatech don't supply the install CD/DVD, try to lean on them. I know that Dell supply them for an extra £10.
Buying separately will cost you about £70 for Home Premium OEM (from a quick Google). Don't worry about "OEM" it just means that that copy is tied to the one pc and dies with it. This isn't going to be a problem if you only replace your pc every few years and a non OEM copy (exactly the same software) will cost more.
JH
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>> I am considering a Novatech iflame - very well reviewed in Which? What do you
>> think?
they are all the same
>> To get away from Microsoft, would I cope with installing and running Linux? I have
>> had a quick look on the Linux website and couldn't see where you buy the
>> stuff. Are there Linux stockists on the high street?
Duncan, to be honest, based on your admitted pc knowledge, you wouldnt stand a snowball in hells chance running linux. Its not for non techy consumers.
>>
>> I am also using Microsoft Office, would I cope with Open Office?
If you are an MS office user, yes dump it and install open office. the are some changes in where menu options are and what they are called, esentially its a good alternative.
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>> they are all the same>>
I will, of course, defer to you superior knowledge, but are you suggesting that there is no difference in quality of components or assembly between the different manufacturers?
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Under a certain price bracket? no difference in quality, only in specification.*
There are only about 5 makers of motherboards, two makers of CPU's, three makers of Video chipsets, three makers of disks,..... Get the drift?
* CPU speed, Memory size, hard disk capacity, additional functions.
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Be careful with the power supply, some cheaper brands use cheap and nasty PCs which blow or cause premature wear to components due to the unstable voltage regulatiion.
The power supply is the one thing they always keep quiet.
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All the major makers use cheap or cheapish power supplies. The only way to get a decent power supply is to build it yourself.
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>> All the major makers use cheap or cheapish power supplies. The only way to get
>> a decent power supply is to build it yourself.
>>
Try to persuade Duncan to commission you to build a decent one for him.
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>> Try to persuade Duncan to commission you to build a decent one for him.
>>
Are we talking of the PC or the power supply?
Emma Chissett?
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>> Are we talking of the PC or the power supply?
>>
>> Emma Chissett?
>>
There you are Zero. Pitch in with your price.
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>> >> Try to persuade Duncan to commission you to build a decent one for him.
>> >>
>>
>> Are we talking of the PC or the power supply?
>>
>> Emma Chissett?
HUH?
I think he means complete PC. Alas Duncan probably cant afford me. I specialise in High Power leading edge systems. Or Silent systems.
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This is what Z puts in. If it doesn't need a 3 phase supply, it's not a proper computer!
tinyurl.com/28wc8pv
JH
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hampage.hu/oldiron/ibms/3090cpu.jpg
Nope these are the babies. Not only did it need 415 volts three phase, it needed a supply of chilled water through insulated pipes to a seperate air conidtioning suite on the roof AND cold air up through the floor.
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>> All the major makers use cheap or cheapish power supplies. The only way to get
>> a decent power supply is to build it yourself.
>>
Agreed, I've never bought a shop build system before and I'm not sure what graphics hardware and PSU they have these days but most are not to the spec I use PC's for. I almost always buy from ebuyer and have in last two years built myself and my father a PC (both decent gaming specs) and most of the cheaper power supplies dont support dual 12v rails that most good spec gaming cards need. Although I work in the IT profession, I usually dont get involved in this activity regulary so it keeps the skills there and it helps to save a few quid and I get satsifaction out of it.
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Its also a lot more complicated than that. A 600w £15 PSU is fine on paper for a modern gaming rig but in the real world it WILL blow up. When I ever I buy a PSU I want to know how much ampage on the 12v rails it provides. Usualy it will be around 16 amps on one and 12 amps on the other, that is more than enough for a basic system with built in graphics.
That would typical be a 350W FSP PSU, yet I have seen 600w ones which provide a lot less ampage on the 12v rails.
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But the ones HP, Dell etc use are usualy ok for the purpose. I replace few Dell power supplies yet the majority of Dells I get to repair are for hard drive failures.
On a white box no built by Joe Ali down the local repair mobile phone unlocking shop I am always amazed the power supply lasts beyond a year. I have never in my life bought a PSU for less than £20. I do often buy £25 FSPs for basic machines though, never had any problems.
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>> On a white box no built by Joe Ali down the local repair mobile phone
>> unlocking shop I am always amazed the power supply lasts beyond a year. I have
>> never in my life bought a PSU for less than £20. I do often buy
>> £25 FSPs for basic machines though, never had any problems.
I had a 60 quid power supply blow up on switch on.
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I find Antec TruePower range ideal for price (£45)/performance for gaming. Any sub £20 PSU is fine for internet browsing/word processing.
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With £20 PSUs I think the brand is the most important thing. I find FSPs are the best value as I can buy them OEM. Had a couple of Trusts but didn't rate them. Bought a few Antec Basiqs which have been.
I agree any PSU can go pop but I replace a lot of them and I've never once had any come back from a faulty one.
Corsair seem to make some fine PSUs for the money too, they seem very good value at the £50 mark.
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Have you thought of changing to a Mac Duncan. It might cost a bit more but you will be free from all that grief you have been suffering. Don't know anyone who has changed from Windows to Mac and regretted it.
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>> Have you thought of changing to a Mac .........Don't know
>> anyone who has changed from Windows to Mac and regretted it.
>>
Forgive my ignorance. Are there any differences in day to day use? Bearing in mind my acknowledged shortcomings - computer wise - would I cope?
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Yes you would far quicker to fire up for one thing, no tiresome AV or updates for another.
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>> changing to a Mac >>
Blimey!
I've just had a look on the web. Cheap they're not!!!!!!
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But surprisingly popular. And will soon be a target for more viruses and trojans.
Rob (a Mac user)
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Safari, the Mac browser by default, is laughably easy to compromise. Plus you could spread viruses to windows users tha you have picked up.
So yes, mac does need AV.
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Why are they so expensive by comparison with a PC?
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Because you pay for the style. It costs no more to make than others, indeed uses much the same components.
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In that case, I will keep my money in my pocket, the cost of a PC will be enough.
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How's about a new Mesh system then Dunc, my 5.5 year old Mesh jobbie has given Stirling service and I would put them on the top of my list when the time comes to replace it.
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>> How's about a new Mesh system then Dunc, my 5.5 year old Mesh >>
Snap!
See my first post. My Mesh is five and a half years old.
I would go back to Mesh again, but they don't seem to sell systems with OS disks seperately. With the slow running problems that I have had; the idea of formatting the hard disk and re-installing the OS is quite attractive.
I think I am slowly edging toward a Novatech iFlame @ £359 plus £82 for Windows 7
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>>See my first post. My Mesh is five and a half years old.<<
Yes, I have been following this thread with interest, the Novatech + Windows 7 seems a good price (to me), we are probably similar in our level of computer savvy, so I'd be guided by the more knowledgeable amongst us :)
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" Because you pay for the style. It costs no more to make than others"
Well there's nothing inherently wrong with paying for style. However I'm not convinced that on like for like terms Macs are necessarily that much more expensive. I'm currently seeking to replace my ageing imac G4 which has given me sterling service. I prefer Macs but use both, in fact I am writing this on a netbook running Windows 98 so do not have a slavish commitment to Apple
Looking at the cost of all in one desktop machines on the John Lewis website the Acer 23"" is £999, the Sony 21.5"is £899 and the Apple Imac 21.5" from £999. You also have to take into account the bundle of really good software you get with a Mac. As for the virus issue I'm sure that it could become an issue in the future but the plain fact of the matter is that at the moment Mac virus's are virtually non existant and I am happy not to use any anti virus software. I realise that it is is possible to pass on a Widows virus unbeknown to me but at the end of the day that won't be my problem!
At the end of the day if you are looking for an all in one machine that is easy to use, looks good, comes with some of the best software on the market and for which currently you don' tneed to worry about viruses an Apple machine looks a good bet.
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Apples and pears and well you know it.
The Acer and Sony are both touch screen models.
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If you were in the market for an all in one computer with a budget of around £1000 which would you go for?
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one of the touch screen models.
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Never mind the trivia like touch-screen, I'd prefer a computer that is stable. That, from my experience, is not typical of MS operating systems, bleeding useless graphics updates etc. My Mac is 5 years old, about to be replaced, up to now far more reliable than the PC's in my family before it. But whether or not the iMac has a touch screen facility, it won't be a MS OS PC.
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>> Never mind the trivia like touch-screen, I'd prefer a computer that is stable. That, from
>> my experience, is not typical of MS operating systems, bleeding useless graphics updates etc.
your experience is not typical either.
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Look - the OP is not prepared through the nose for Apple OK? hes looking at 600 quid less. end of.
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Zero is right the OP is unable to pay for the Apple computer he might really like. End of. He'll be happy with a new Windows 7 PC.
Shame because MacOS X is so much better to use than Windows 7 and comes with the excellent free iLife software. Due to be upgraded to version '10 soon I believe.
Last edited by: rtj70 on Fri 3 Sep 10 at 00:34
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I do wonder how the OP would find Ubuntu or Mint though. This has given me a really good idea and I have the means to it, I just need finance. I wonder if I could get some of regular average customers to try out Ubuntu for two weeks and see how they find it?
I personaly find it much easier than windows but I am a techy. For example on ubuntu to install a wireless printer you simply type in the IP address of the printer and it finds then downloads the drivers. It takes less than 20 seconds, some how on Windows it is a similar process since Vista but it can take half an hour.
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The OP is not techie but he could probably download, if given the link, an Ubuntu live CD to try.
He might find his old PC is fast enough with Ubuntu too. It's not that difficult. Installing Linux and getting graphics working in 1993 was for techies though! No CDROM writers back then either so a pile of floppies too.
If I live near him I'd offer to help for free to be honest. But doubt he's near Manchester.
Last edited by: rtj70 on Fri 3 Sep 10 at 00:50
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As the OP may I give an update?
£500 - £600 is about the amount of money I would be prepared to pay for a new PC (without monitor). It isn't that I can't afford more - I am finding it hard to justify more.
Would I try Linux on this old machine? Probably not, it is more than five years old, I am more or less reconciled to buying a new PC.
My existing PC is still infuriatingly slow. Why? I don't know.
I live in Esher in Surrey.
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You could get a Mac mini for that amount. As for PC being slow, thats how they behave when the newness wears off, and the registry ties itself in knots:)
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>> You could get a Mac mini for that amount. As for PC being slow, thats
>> how they behave when the newness wears off, and the registry ties itself in knots:)
>>
Re-installing Windows would speed this up no doubt. Putting on Linux might save £600.
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Yes, and the usual housekeeping chores like defragging. SiL has a PC which is really really clunky but I won't maintain it 'cos I'll be blamed when it seizes up again.
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"registry ties itself in knots" there's a thought. Duncan, have you treied running the ccleaner registry cleaner? Don't expect miracles but, as it costs nothing, it's worth a shot.
JH
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Apart from CCleaner being on my system, I use Austlogics software such as its Registry Cleaner:
www.auslogics.com/en/software/registry-cleaner/
and Defrag/Optimiser:
www.auslogics.com/en/software/disk-defrag/ (both freeware and excellent).
Also worth downloading the BoostSpeed utility on a 15-day trial, using it a couple of times and then Uninstalling it.
Remarkable what it finds and clears up, plus a number of features that help to speed up your system as the title suggests.
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I hope Duncan is still around reading this thread, because in the past he seems to have abandoned his threads when faced with techie replies to his request for simple jargon free advice.
My own experience is that the last time I had a virus was in the days of DOS 6, virus was caught from an infected floppy disk. Windows 3.1, 98se, XP, Vista and 7 have followed without ever getting infected, and without ever needing registry cleans or defragging.
If you want to buy a Rolls Royce or a Mac, do so. If you want to buy a Fiesta or a Novatech PC, do so. If you ask a techie for advice, expect the kind of replies you get from Rattle and RTJ. If you want plain speaking, listen to Zero.
My advice to Duncan is:
If you want to test your current PC with a version of Linux, then download a "live CD" from here
www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download
and then "You can try out Ubuntu before you install it. When your CD or USB stick is ready, you can run Ubuntu directly from your CD or USB without affecting your current system."
If you want to buy a new PC, go ahead and get the one you were planning to. Your plan will allow you to install windows 7 from the DVD you buy and if you wish run Ubuntu on there from the "live CD" too.
If you want and can afford a fancy Mac, buy that.
As for security, a free firewall and anti-malware program from the list here
www.matousec.com/projects/proactive-security-challenge/results.php
should be more than adequate unless you indulge in unsafe surfing.
Last edited by: John H on Fri 3 Sep 10 at 11:04
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Is this registry cleaner any good? www.regcure.co.uk/
I'm considering using it on my 5.5 year old Mesh XP, I've never used a reg cleaner b4.
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>> Is this registry cleaner any good? www.regcure.co.uk/
>>
>> I'm considering using it on my 5.5 year old Mesh XP, I've never used a
>> reg cleaner b4.
>>
I do not know the answer to your question, but my advice is that before you use any registry cleaner, it would be wise to make a backup of your system.
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>>it would be wise to make a backup of your system.<<
Thanks John.
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I would avoid any offering of this type that offers a "Free Scan".
Almost invariably it will come up with dozens of potential "problems" to encourage you to buy the product.
There are more than adequate freeware versions available from Comodo, Austlogics, CCleaner etc.
See, for instance:
download.cnet.com/Comodo-System-Cleaner/3000-20432_4-10909697.html
www.comodo.com/products/free-products.php (I use the original Comodo Firewall Pro on my XP Pro system, which is freeware)
www.auslogics.com/en/software/
www.piriform.com/
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Stop pushing any distro of Linux at Duncan, its totally unsuited to his circumstances.
Duncan, at 5 years old you are probably wise to consider buying a new PC, and 600 quid max is more than enough to see you ok.
However if you wish to invest a few quid to employ a techie and see if your old can be resurected, then ask the mods for my e-mail address - I live about 6 miles away from you.
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>> Stop pushing any distro of Linux at Duncan, its totally unsuited to his circumstances.
>>
I see that you are replying to my post.
I have no intention of pushing any operating system to anyone. I am merely telling Duncan - only because he asked this question in his first post "To get away from Microsoft, would I cope with installing and running Linux? " and in reply got told to try a "live CD" without anyone explaining what a "live CD" meant or where to get one from.
>> However if you wish to invest a few quid to employ a techie ...
By the time he has paid your hourly and mileage rates, Duncan may find he could have afforded a Mac.
That reminds me - I have never had a power supply fail on any of my PCs so I think all that scaremongering by Rattle is just that.
Last edited by: John H on Fri 3 Sep 10 at 14:07
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>> I see that you are replying to my post.
I was replying to all the Linux evangalists on here in general
>> >> However if you wish to invest a few quid to employ a techie
>> By the time he has paid your hourly and mileage rates, Duncan may find he
>> could have afforded a Mac.
You know my rates?
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Even though Zero specialises in high performance or ultra quiet systems, paying £600 for a system buys quite a bit of a system these days. Especially if you don't need a new monitor. All the new PCs are likely to come bundled with a new LCD monitor. Money better put towards the new PC.
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Indeed, you will see that is what I suggested as the prefered solution.
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I know - just pointing it out again in case it's been missed. It could work out better having a decent PC built instead of buying a bundle. That way you can request decent PSU, CPU, motherboard, RAM, disk etc. These 'branded' machines are made to a price so don't assume they are all equal.
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>>That reminds me - I have never had a power supply fail on any of my PCs so I think all that scaremongering by Rattle is just that.>>
You are lucky. I've had three pack up in the last four-and-a-half to five years and all were quality brands.
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>> You are lucky. I've had three pack up in the last four-and-a-half to five years
>> and all were quality brands.
>>
>>
Perhaps it was more than luck. I was using trusty old run of the mill stuff, none of the super spec Rattle or Stuartli "quality" brand for me. That is what happens if you go for "Rolls Royce" spec. - it is unreliable, unproven, of limited appeal, and obviously fails at least three times in five years if you are Stuartli, and it costs you. Stick with ordinary stuff and you will be OK.
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>>I would avoid any offering of this type that offers a "Free Scan".<<
Cheers Stuart, I did wonder about the 'Free' scan :)
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Further Update.
I have had a look at downloading the Ubuntu (where do they get these names from?) CD and decided that it is too complicated for me.
I have more or less decided to go for a new PC - most probably this one :-
tinyurl.com/39fxn3y
What do you think? If you were going to upgrade anything, what would it be?
Thank you all for your time, trouble and patience.
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The i3 cpu is not best, an i5 is much better
The rest of the spec is ok, dont forget to add windows 7 home premium.
Last edited by: Zero on Fri 3 Sep 10 at 16:49
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Thanks.
My thinking was to buy Windows 7 separately so that I get the installation disk(s).
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Linux is OK until you run into a problem. It sounds obvious, but when I've played with Linux, particularly the more recent distributions, I've found 99% of things on the computer work "out of the box". The install is painless, and you end up with a mostly functional computer without really doing anything. It's the last 1% that always makes me give up. I'm not a programmer, but I have been a network administrator for a small company looking after NT4 and 2003 Servers, so I'm not a complete idiot, but Linux always strikes me as a heck of a lot of effort compared with Windows. Yes, I know it's free, but Windows 7 isn't extortionately priced, particularly if you go the OEM route.
I've just ordered the bits to build a new computer for the in-laws. I've just bought an Intel i5 760 processor, Asus mainboard, 4GB of quality (Corsair) 1600MHz RAM in a matched pair, a 1TB 7200 RPM Samsung Spinpoint drive, 512MB ATI Radeon graphics card, a D-Link PCI wireless network adapter, case, and an OEM Windows 7 Home Premium license for a whisker over £500. I will recycle the DVD-RW drive and 21" LCD monitor from their old machine.
I remember paying £1200 for a Pentium 233 with a 500MB drive, and 128MB RAM, and it doesn't seem that long ago!
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A P233 with 128MB RAM. The RAM must have cost you a fair bit, I remember RAM costing around £30 for 16MB back then.
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>> Thanks.
>>
>> My thinking was to buy Windows 7 separately so that I get the installation disk(s).
YOU ok doing a clean install? Its very easy on Win7 but there could be the odd issue, and problems with up to date device drivers.
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>> >> Thanks.
>> >>
>> >> My thinking was to buy Windows 7 separately so that I get the installation
>> disk(s).
>>
>> YOU ok doing a clean install? Its very easy on Win7 but there could be
>> the odd issue, and problems with up to date device drivers.
>>
When you first use a brand new Win7 machine pretty much the first thing the OS nags you to do is to make a set of backup DVDs, so you can copy your entire C: drive to DVD and get a complete backup of the system as installed. So no need to buy the OS separately.
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>> When you first use a brand new Win7 machine pretty much the first thing the
>> OS nags you to do is to make a set of backup DVDs, so you
>> can copy your entire C: drive to DVD and get a complete backup of the
>> system as installed. So no need to buy the OS separately.
>>
I'm no expert but that's not quite the same thing is it? You'll be able to 're-image' but that will put back any crap it came with, you'll lose the applications and your data, and you'll have to refresh all the updates. If you have the OS CDs/DVDs then you can run install and repair broken/missing files without zapping everything can't you?
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mmm.. yes you're probably right, I can't recall now if there's an option to just backup the OS rather than the whole drive. I'm fairly sure you can do incremental backups to keep track of changes to the C: drive, so no need to lose apps.
EDIT: Actually I think you can do pretty much anything you'd do with a normal OS disk othe rthan install it on another machine:-
forums.techarena.in/guides-tutorials/1114725.htm
Last edited by: spamcan61 on Fri 3 Sep 10 at 21:25
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>>If you have the OS CDs/DVDs then you can run install and repair broken/missing files without zapping everything can't you?>>
I have a new Dell system and I made enquiries via its support link with regard to buying a CD or DVD version of Windows7 64bit rather than relying on the installed OEM version (I had done the recovery disks), as I'd read in this forum that you could buy the proper installation disk for a modest charge.
Dell responded by stating they would send out the appropriate disk free of charge providing I could supply the original purchase details.
Can't be much more fair than that...:-)
Last edited by: Stuartli on Mon 6 Sep 10 at 23:31
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I'm with Zero on the CPU front but it depends what you use it for. It's probably plenty fast enough for most people. If you play games then the GPU in that PC won't be brilliant either. It will be using the in-built Intel graphics. The next step up probably is the iRush at £539. But that might be too powerful for your needs? It will also use more electric (a bit).
Edit: Going for a better CPU/GPU though future proofs this for the next version of Windows should you upgrade.
Last edited by: rtj70 on Fri 3 Sep 10 at 18:13
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Duncan, to add to what has already been said, there's no mention of a graphics card so it must be onboard graphics. That's probably ok so long as you're not running games. If it's "office" use with some photo editing and a bit of iPlayer you'll be fine.
I'd like to see USB 3 but that's a nice to have, not essential. At this price it's (wildly) optimistic and you can always add a card later if you get any USB 3 devices in the future and want to take advantage of the extra speed.
It's amazing what you can get for the proce really if I look back at the specs and prices of some of my old machines.
JH
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>> I do wonder how the OP would find Ubuntu or Mint though. This has given
>> me a really good idea and I have the means to it, I just need
>> finance. I wonder if I could get some of regular average customers to try out
>> Ubuntu for two weeks and see how they find it?
>>
I find easypeasy on my Acer netbook a right PITA. I've been using Windows since 3.1 and even still use a command line now and again but using Linux (and let's not forget that many flavours of Linux don't look or feel even vaguely similar) is just so completely different it's like learning a new language. I just wanted a new OS. not a new hobby.
I suppose someone who has never used Windows could use a Linux machine provided they never had to update it or do any serious maintenance. For sure typing in an IP address isn't that simple to a computer novice; I've never bought a printer that didn't have Windows drivers either already supported by the OS or on a CD, no need for internet connection.
In terms of stability then yes Win 98 was pretty flaky but both my teenaged daughters use Vista machines and even they only manage about 1 BSOD a year, even with the random rapid mouse click debug method.
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Spamcans comment above "I just wanted a new OS, not a new hobby" rings very true for me as well. That's how I've always ended up feeling after every new (failed) Linux venture.
The only UNIX based OS I've used which is easy (for me) to configure, and does exactly what it says on the tin with no configuration / setup hassle at all is FreeNAS. It's a simple FreeBSD based network file server. A doddle to install, and once it's up and running, you configure the whole thing via a very intuitive browser front end. Lightweight too. The entire install CD image is only about 130MB.
I needed a no-nonsense file server for our showroom at work, and didn't really want to tie up an expensive Windows Server license for such simple duties. I downloaded this, bought a couple of cheap 1TB SATA drives, stuck them in an old PC we had spare, and had it all up and running, with all shares and permissions set up and tested inside of an hour. It's brilliant.
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>> The only UNIX based OS I've used which is easy
Never used a Mac running MacOS X then I guess.
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Ah yes of course. We have a Mac Pro in the showroom which I have used, and yes it is easy. Again I betray the complete absence of anything Apple from my radar ;-)
In terms of ease of use, I don't find MacOS any more logical or easy than I imagine I would find Windows if I were used to Macs. And it doesn't crash any less (or more in fairness) than XP. But I do take your point.
Last edited by: DP on Mon 6 Sep 10 at 12:47
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And what about an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad... all based on BSD Unix ;-) Not that most would know. I jailbroke my iPod touch at one stage (before there was an App Store) and I could ssh into it etc.
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>> And what about an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad... all based on BSD Unix ;-)
And the only way they can keep it a: stable b:secure and c:easy to use is to restrict what users can do with them. Its just an embedded linux in effect.
embedded linux works well, its small, fast and the user never has any interface into it or the need to change it.
Perfect.
And yes I jailbroke my iphone.
For the average home user, linux is pants.
Last edited by: Zero on Mon 6 Sep 10 at 16:20
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Careful, rtj. Steve Jobs will have you publicly flogged if he finds out!
The idea that someone who has paid (through the nose) for a piece of Apple technology should have the affrontery to actually do what they like with it..... Don't get me started on Apple. :-)
Last edited by: DP on Mon 6 Sep 10 at 16:25
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Ah interesting ot hear about freenas, I was planning to build a file server round it.
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Worth a crack, Zero. I don't know if I just got lucky with supported hardware, or whether it's usually that painless, but I was amazed.
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I've been pleased with my Netgear ReadyNAS Duo. Check it out. It can even be modified (easily) to support iSCSI. Okay it only does mirroring of the disks but the cost of it is less than a PC and it's powerful enough (runs Linux on a SPARC processor). I got mine on an offer - it came with a 2Tb disk plus the shop gave you a free second one and sending off a voucher got a free 2Tb disk from Netgear. So I paid for NAS and one 2Tb disk and got two for nothing.
Edit: And on a Gigabit/s LAN it's pretty fast. Not as fast (quite) as USB2 but it's more useful than a local disk. Even does bittorrent downloads etc.
Last edited by: rtj70 on Mon 6 Sep 10 at 19:37
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>> I've been pleased with my Netgear ReadyNAS Duo. Check it out.
Freenas is, well, free. So is my old motherboard and memory, I am aiming to spend 50 quid!
Oh and it has to be dlna compliant.
Last edited by: Zero on Mon 6 Sep 10 at 20:06
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>> Oh and it has to be dlna compliant.
So is the Netgear ReadyNAS.
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About 6 years ago my then 65 year old mother got so frustrated with the Windows setup on her home PC she installed Linux (I can't remember which flavour, could be Ubuntu). She had the usual problems at the time with Microsoft support and finds the Linux forums which she now frequents so much more helpful. I wonder how many of the contributors to these forums realise they are dealing with a 71 year old.
Around the same time I went in the other direction and bought an iBook. It was a revelation. Everything just works, the software is intuitive, it boots up in 30 seconds, installing printers is a doddle and it doesn't spend half the time installing updates. I would love to replace it with a newer Mac but don't fancy financing Steve Jobs' ambitions to take over the universe so probably won't.
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So ... my Mesh computer is the same age as Duncan's,
it was running ok but having followed this thread I decided to do a defrag, well - I did 3 just to make sure :)
Then I did a disc cleanup,
Then I deleted the 100's of emails & attchments sitting in my deleted folder doing naff all,
Then I deleted all cookies,
Then ... I downloaded Comodo system cleaner as recc. by Stuart further up this thread and it found 1010 errors which I cleaned, re-started the computer and all is working well.
I might add that I have 71% of free space available on my disc, which equates to 52GB, so its not overloaded.
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>> >> Oh and it has to be dlna compliant.
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>> So is the Netgear ReadyNAS.
But its still not 50 quid.
Last edited by: Zero on Tue 7 Sep 10 at 17:04
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No, but it uses less electric which over time is a saving.
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its 200 quid more than 50. Thats a lot of electricity. your not selling this to me.
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The ReadyNas without disks is just about £130. But you need disks in the PCs too to make a NAS so don't include them. So yes it's about £80 more.
Edit: Scan where I got mine has an offer where you can claim a free 500Gb disk. So the difference might be smaller.
Last edited by: rtj70 on Tue 7 Sep 10 at 18:58
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A New Computer? - Tooslow
