So I have a choice here. And I need some advice as I have found you all here to be the best when it comes to these things. Basically I am having a hard time choosing what Windows system to use. Let me start by saying I have a Pentium dual core CPU, 4 GB of RAM, and onboard video, and a 120 GB hard drive. Nothing fancy or powerful. My options are: * Windows Vista * Windows 7 * Windows 8 Now here are the reasons for the choice I am trying to make: * Windows Vista - The computer came with Vista, since I have owned it I have ran other operating systems. I have changed the CPU and motherboard. The biggest thing here is that I have a legal copy of Vista and a COA sticker on the computer. And top all of that with the fact that Vista runs quicker than snot on this setup. The downside is that Vista will not be supported much longer, a few years. * Windows 7 - 7 runs so so on this setup, a bit slow sometimes. Problem is that I don't have a copy of 7 nor a COA for 7 in the house. So I really don't have any options with 7 other than to buy a key, and that is not an option right now. However, I like 7, when I have a machine that can run it. * Windows 8 - I have a copy of 8 that a friend gave me as a gift. However, it runs so slow on this machine. And the whole Windows 8 look and feel is crazy weird, but it works to a point. 8 is supposed to use system resources better than 7, but that has not been my experience. And keep in mind hard drive space. Vista has the smallest footprint. 7 and 8 take up almost 20+ GB when installed with all the updates installed. So, what would you do? I'm currently running Vista. Maybe I should run Vista until I can afford a new machine or an upgrade? Thanks guys!!
@kona,
I'm sure you've likely seen this thread of mine from over a year ago:
https://forums.stardock.com/439592/page/1/#3327263
You'll notice I installed Win 8 on a 2005 notebook that had shipped with XP, been formatted to Vista Business, then Windows 7 and now finally Win 8. It never ran better/smoother than now. Just my own personal experience.
Oh and I'm sure your processor is more powerful than the lowly/slowly CENTRINO 1.6 single-core proc in my notebook!
Most people who upgrade to Win 8 discover this... and Win 9 will be even smoother/faster... not that it'll run on older hardware.
Zorin is cool. I have it on a VM.
It's one of the Distros I will be running when I get my Linux box up and running. I just need either a CPU or a mobo [whichever comes first] to complete it.
I have an AMD x6 II00T that needs a mobo, or a LGA 775 socket mobo that need a CPU, but having to move put it way down on my list of proiorities. Moving cost me alot more that just paying a mate for his time and fuel and hiring a trailer... there were connection fees and other costs involved, and a new TV became the 1st priority/expense once I'd paid all my bills, etc. However, I will likely see if I can get a mobo to match the 1100T. It probably has greater power than something to suit a 775 socket, me thinks, and will likely be easier to get here in Oz.
Unfortunately, when new tech comes out here, the older stuff often disappears off the shelves and can be nigh on impossible to find unless one can get to smaller, out of the way PC stores or the weekend markets. I just learned there is a market local to me that's here once a month [due to the operators doing several other areas per month] and I just missed the last one [yesterday]. It is within walking distance, though, and I'm told there are people selling PC stuff, so I will be present at the next one in 4 weeks.
No real need for a whole extra rig for Linux. A virtual machine works just fine. Especially if you have good hardware.
My main rig runs Windows 7 64 bit. And Windows 8.1 in a virtual machine. The VM Windows 8.1 can utilize all 6 of my monitors and run at the same time as 7. I just minimize 8 when I want 7. Maximize 8 to use it.
My secondary rig runs Windows 8.1 with 7 in a VM.
No more dual booting.
I thank Phoon for alerting me to the wonders of VMWare. And I'm sure he uses it much more fluently than I do.
But with VMWare, I see no need to dual boot anymore. And, with VMWare, and multiple monitors, along with a good amount of ram, and a good CPU, I can (and do) run XP, Vista, 7, 8 and Linux all simultaneously. That is 5 OSes, 6 monitors. So I have a monitor left over. All on the same tower.
Sorry, I can't use Linux for my main OS. I'm a fan of Linux, just can't use it. Why? I wrote about that.
http://kona0197.wordpress.com/2011/10/10/linux-the-reasons-why-it-will-never-work-for-me/
Apart the point appearence i can understand it. Linux is themeable. And the theme files are as easy as the ones from window blinds. You just have to learn how to theme without having a nice gui frontend, with .png bmp/tga input.
Then Try Vista ! Xp is to insecure.
Yeah, I know that, but I want to run a solely Linux machine with various Distros to experiment with. True, VMware saves having to dual boot, but I understand that 'virtual OSes' cannot/do not access the full power of the CPU and RAM, and I want to see how well they can perform on the hardware I've allocated.
I plan to dual or triple boot Distros of interest at a time to assess and compare which ones I like best, etc, then decide which ones I will keep running on that rig. So yeah, it's an experimental exercise that gives me something to do, uses a machine that'd otherwise be just collecting dust, and at the same time keeps me off the street.
Then add slitaz to your testing list. really small, sometimes outdated, but fast and not umaintained. Good for seeing what linux is and learning without downloading much or the need to install it for testing purposes. VMS are slow on some pcs i do agree....
With VMware, you can easily assign any number of cores, and max out the ram.
With Windows 8.1, VM, I am able to have six core CPU with 8 GB ram (probably more, if I wanted.) and run a different dream on each of six monitors all at once and still be able to use my host OS.
But I suppose the host does use some of the resources, so I see your point. But all in all, who needs 6 cores and 8 GB ram for Linux?
With VMware, you can easily assign any number of cores, and max out the ram.With Windows 8.1, VM, I am able to have six core CPU with 8 GB ram (probably more, if I wanted.) and run a different dream on each of six monitors all at once and still be able to use my host OS.But I suppose the host does use some of the resources, so I see your point. But all in all, who needs 6 cores and 8 GB ram for Linux?
I think the idea for me is to play around with the various Linux flavours to see how they perform on the assigned hardware. It gives me an excuse to use a [almost] spare machine without going to great an expense OS-wise. At a later date, when I've decided on which distros I prefer, like best, I may in fact run them in Win 8.1 using VMware. By then Win 9 could be out, and I'll likely have a spare Win 8.1 to run on the Linux box as the host. For the time being, though, it's more of a bit of fun to keep me off the streets... er, occupied.
Having so much less to do with a smaller house and yard than before, I'm finding that I have alot more time on my hands and need something of interest to do/occupy my mind, and what better than messing with puters!!!
Every time I've dabbled with Linux....or BeOS....or just about anything...I still end up back with Windows.....probably because I need to do 'stuff' ....
That's right, Windows has the greater software compatibility, but there are Linux distros which run Windows proggies, so the gap is gradually closing. Anyway, I will still keep Windows as my primary OS while I 'dabble' with Linux... and if one or two of the distros happen to suit my non-Windows needs then I shall see whether I run them in VMware within Win 8 or 9, or just keep them on the designated Linux rig when it's complete.
Seems I can pick up a mobo to go with the AMD x6 1100T for about 90 bucks. It wouldn't be top of the range stuff at that price, but it would be sufficient. I just need to put a few pennies away for a few weeks and save for it.
lol
I found it easy and that's saying a lot. If I can do it, any one can.
I used EASEUS Partition Manager to re-size my Windows Partition.
I absolutely backed up everything and anything I did not want to lose onto an external hard-drive.
The only thing that could complicate it is if you are trying to install it on a secondary hard-drive and do a dual boot that way. Windows 7 , for whatever reason, will no longer see that second hard drive. THere is a program called EASYBCD that is supposed to help with that but I had no luck with it.
I chose to resize my Windows Partition.
Here is a link that is for installing Zorin8 that I used. http://www.everydaylinuxuser.com/2014/02/zorin-os-8-more-like-windows-7-than.html
I cannot find the link to the page that explained how to resize my Windows Partition, but I recall it was very easy and the program does it for you taking out the guess work. It told you the maximum space you needed to for the Windows PArtition, than I went ahaead and made my Zorin partition leaving anough space for a storage partition. http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2004816/shrink-windows-partition-losing-data.html A lot really depends on how much stuff you have on your PC to begin with.
I have 320GB HD. I kept 120GB for Windows 7, 37GB of which is still free. Then my partitions are as follows
11.7GB (My Windows recovery partition)
83.8 GB (Zorin 9) which is MORE than plenty. YOu only need 5GB for the OS, the rest is gravy. You WILL BE ABLE to mount your Windows partition as a drive and access everything on it from Zorin. (Music, videos, etc.)
44.9GB for whatever.
I will look and see if I can find the stuff I followed. I am usually a bookmark-aholoic, but for some reason either forgot to save it or can't remember where I saved it.
The scariest part for me was condensing the Windows PArtition and reading threads like the one you found. That one is almost 3 years old and the installation has become easier and less complicated since then. I'll get back in a day or two or sooner when I find the info. If you look at the that first link, it's easy. There are also quite a few videos on youtube as well.
blah blah
found my bookmarks.
Use EASEUS Partition Manager to create your partitions if you want to make partitions pre-install of Zorin. I have to thank Seth for that one. It's a great program.
Here is the Zorin site instructions. Very basic. http://zorin-os.com/installguide.html
Here are the ones I followed. http://zoringroup.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=6075
It even has a link to a video the guy made which I watched while doing the install.
It really is not as complicated as it seems. It's just scary when you start pressing that 'enter' button and letting the programs do things to your hard drive and all. Thats why you back up your important stuff.
I got it on the first try and lost nothing. I've had ZERO issues and I can't say that for ANY other linux OS I have tried and I have tried a few. (From ubuntu to one called Sleazstack Puppy or something that was supposed to be fool proof and small enough to run on your little brothers etch-a-sketch)
I even found a program that I could put on a CD that would trick my DELL 2650 into booting from the USB to install Zorin Lite on that and had no issues (that was the one I had tried to install the Sleazstackpuppy thing on).
THAT'S the one I tried. I really liked it but a bitch of a time finding a a wireless usb or card that worked with it. I am stuck with a Belkin N150 Wireless USB adapter because of that. It's is a great OS for linux beginners but I could only use it if I used the ethernet on my laptop.
My Zorin desktop. Between Dropbox and other software now made with linux in mind and Google apps like Google Drive, Hangouts, etc., I can even link/sync with my Droid, I don't miss much. It comes withLibre Office but I use Google Docs, Sheets, etc. It's got to be one of the user friendliest versions of linux available.
I find it funny that some had to use a third party partition resize program when almost every Linux distro out there will do that for you and it's built in.
Glad you're amusing yourself. I'm sure they didn't 'have to' use the EASEUS program it's just that EASEUS makes such good software why not use it?
Also, now that you've received quite a lot of info in this thread regarding your OP have you made any decision(s) regarding your situation? Are you staying with Vista for now until you can upgrade? Or since you do have a copy of Win 8 (and I have suggested how awesomely it works with hardware even older than yours) have you once again given that a shot?
Just FYI, that old 2005 Centrino Proc (M processor) notebook referenced in my thread (REPLY #26) has been running Win 8 now since Jan 2013, is still just as lean/fast as it was when I initially set it up and still gets used on a daily basis (email, browsing, etc. etc.)......in fact I'm using it to type up this response right now.
Kona did you install windows8 and check your drivers?I encountered a similar problem where the system ran terribly at the start on a fresh installation of windows xp while the rig itself was fingerlicking hi end.Problem was that motherboard drivers were missing and that no gfx driver was installed.Even loading up the driver cd´s menu took ages - but once that was installed XP had a rocket up its ....
I wanted/chose to make the partitions 'before' I did the install, as well as condense my Windows Partition.
btw- MiniTool PArtition Wizard is another good one.
For someone like myself, who is a hell of a lot more familiar with Windows and even then have called out for help on here quite a few times, installing ANY version of Linux can be stressful and scary when you are doing a dual boot. I looked at a LOT of tutorials and forums and videos to find one that was at a level I could deal with and didn't make me feel like all I had to do was sneeze sideways and I would screw everything up. Almost all of the ones I came across (and most of them were on linux forums)recommended partitioning your drive before hand with one program or another.
I'm very happy I followed what I found and very happy with the final product/install.
***One small thing to be aware of...on MY laptop...Zorin did change my boot screen. Instead of the normal or expected Windows dual boot screen I am familiar with, I have one that is ALL Zorin based with Zorin as my first choice and Windows 7 as my last with two Zorin options in between the two. It's Zorin themed/colored, etc., so don't be alarmed or freak out when you boot your PC for the first time after installing it alongside Windows and see it.
Yeah, Easus Partition Manager is a top tool... like some others I know.
Dunno if I should mention any names, but Ashampoo makes some pretty good apps for PC management, as well as others for media creation, editing and management, etc.
I choose to install Vista. This computer came with Vista, so I have a copy and a COA. I tried running Windows 8, and even after every update it still was really, really slow. All drivers were up to date. I thought updating to 8.1 would help, only to find out that 8.1 does not have a driver for my WiFi card. 8 did, but the driver I used in 8 does not work in 8.1. 8.1 was slow as well. I will run 7 eventually. For now, Vista is nice and fast. Few things I don't like about it, but it works.
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