woohoo! windows free at last!

[RogerP]

What makes of laptops would folk suggest for a person going this route?

Have a look here.

 

[DrPhill]

What makes of laptops would folk suggest for a person going this route?

Have a look here.

Thank you Roger. Interesting source. I am still weighing up the price/performance/features of the options. There are so many variables to think of.

 

[DrPhill]

Just an update - I am now running Linux Mint onmy original laptop - smooth install, easy to use. Some issues with windows software that I need, but that is what dual boot is for I guess. So not quite windoze-free, but getting there.

So thanks for the original heads-up about Mint.

 

[RogerP]

Just an update - I am now running Linux Mint onmy original laptop - smooth install, easy to use. Some issues with windows software that I need, but that is what dual boot is for I guess. So not quite windoze-free, but getting there.
So thanks for the original heads-up about Mint.

Which MS programs do you want to run?

 

[DrPhill]

Which MS programs do you want to run?

ABCExplorer or something similar but I may cope instead with the command line utilities (which are directly supported) and scripts.

The real difficulty is with a collection of video processing software which is not directly supported (no real surprise as it is a bit specialist). I rather like the idea of keeping my Unix OS 'pure' so that I can rely on the work done by the experts. I will keep windows as a hosting environment for that stuff.

I wonder if I can run windows under Mint without comprimising Mint - save me from the sequence logout Mint - logon Windows - logout windows - logon Mint. I have not tried that, my only attempt at wine failed. Plenty of time to work out those problems, but it would be nice to wave goodbye to Microsoft products.

The rest of Mint seems fine.

 

[RogerP]

Given that Linux Mint is a derivative of Ubuntu which is a derivative of Debian you should be able to install and run Ubuntu Virtual Box. Then, provided you have a licenced Windows installation dvd (any version), install and run Windows in a virtual environment under Linux.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/VirtualBox

 

[DrPhill]

Given that Linux Mint is a derivative of Ubuntu which is a derivative of Debian you should be able to install and run Ubuntu Virtual Box. Then, provided you have a licenced Windows installation dvd (any version), install and run Windows in a virtual environment under Linux.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/VirtualBox

Thanks, Roger, I will look into that. Being new new to Linux I am wandering around half-blind to the available opportunities.

 

[devonwoody]

Is there a web page that would state which of my games etc. would be compatible using Ubantu?

Also dual boot sounds good if so, will my W7 quad processor and Gigabyte 970 be ok and 8gbs or memory?

 

[RogerP]

Is there a web page that would state which of my games etc. would be compatible using Ubantu?
Also dual boot sounds good if so, will my W7 quad processor and Gigabyte 970 be ok and 8gbs or memory?

Sorry can't help with games I've never run any ... but Google may help. Running Windows is a virtual machine under Linux is I think better than dual booting. Your machine specification is more than adequate but get Ubuntu 64 bit to make best use of the 8 gb of RAM.

 

[nev]

Wine will allow you to run windows progs in linux.

and playonlinux will let you play windows games

both can be found in your software manager in Linux Mint (also look at winetricks)
hth

 

[devonwoody]

Im thinking flight sims, train sim and joystick all microsoft stuff that will not run on my W7 64 bit.

some old 98 card games, like bridge, whist.

what do you think?

 

[nev]

list of supported progs and games here ...http://www.playonlinux.com/repository/