Alternative XP upgrades?
Discussion
So all of a sudden I'm getting a trickle of calls from people worried about their XP machines now that MS have pulled the plug. There's no in-place upgrade from XP to 8 so switching is by no means as easy as it should be IMO. Then when you factor in the high price of Win 8 and maybe a hardware upgrade or 2, it soon becomes obvious that for most people a new machine will be the chosen route. Even then there's still the data transfer to contend with...
Trouble is many of the people stuck on XP obviously don't like change much and when I look at metro and the all the office features, toolbars and clutter it's always going to be a thankless upgrade! Whichever way they move it's going to involve some upheaval. I've seen various threads recently about going from XP to linux so today I downloaded a VM of Ubuntu and Mint. I haven't tried linux for ages and have to say I'm quite impressed. I have a few customers who literally only use their computers for webmail and word documents so for them it just might make sense to reuse their old familiar machines with zero upgrade cost.
Has anyone here actually ditched XP for Linux? What other options are there for reluctant XP switchers?
Trouble is many of the people stuck on XP obviously don't like change much and when I look at metro and the all the office features, toolbars and clutter it's always going to be a thankless upgrade! Whichever way they move it's going to involve some upheaval. I've seen various threads recently about going from XP to linux so today I downloaded a VM of Ubuntu and Mint. I haven't tried linux for ages and have to say I'm quite impressed. I have a few customers who literally only use their computers for webmail and word documents so for them it just might make sense to reuse their old familiar machines with zero upgrade cost.
Has anyone here actually ditched XP for Linux? What other options are there for reluctant XP switchers?
Crafty_ said:
For the millionth time you don't have to use the metro update. Use classic shell, boot to desktop and most people won't even notice other than going "ooh the bar thingy at the bottom isn't blue any more"...
You've missed the point. I know this - it's what I do for a living!However I haven't as yet offered Linux as an option for a reluctant upgrader, so I'm interested in anyone who's taken that path.
If you want to retain hardware and data easily...
Dual boot of Ubuntu/Win XP - (other flavours of Linux also available!)
Install OpenOffice etc. in Ubuntu to access old WP docs and spreadsheets on XP drive(s).
https://www.openoffice.org/
Keep off the internet when using XP - and malware should not be too much of a bother.
Of course, the time will eventually come where hardware will fail and data will need to be transferred from 'backup'
to new environment.
Thread going on Linux/Ubuntu/WinXP already...
They all have pros and cons.
Dual boot of Ubuntu/Win XP - (other flavours of Linux also available!)
Install OpenOffice etc. in Ubuntu to access old WP docs and spreadsheets on XP drive(s).
https://www.openoffice.org/
Keep off the internet when using XP - and malware should not be too much of a bother.
Of course, the time will eventually come where hardware will fail and data will need to be transferred from 'backup'
to new environment.Thread going on Linux/Ubuntu/WinXP already...
They all have pros and cons.
Bikerjon said:
You've missed the point. I know this - it's what I do for a living!
However I haven't as yet offered Linux as an option for a reluctant upgrader, so I'm interested in anyone who's taken that path.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...However I haven't as yet offered Linux as an option for a reluctant upgrader, so I'm interested in anyone who's taken that path.
Lots of discussion groups on the various Linux distros.
For standard hardware, it really is a breeze to set up a dual boot these days!
http://www.ubuntu.com/download
Bikerjon said:
You've missed the point. I know this - it's what I do for a living!
However I haven't as yet offered Linux as an option for a reluctant upgrader, so I'm interested in anyone who's taken that path.
Ah. Apologies.However I haven't as yet offered Linux as an option for a reluctant upgrader, so I'm interested in anyone who's taken that path.
I think provided that someone is a bit savvy and open minded Linux will be ok. If you are going to end up with endless calls of "how do I set up my printer/scanner/itunes/phone/tv card etc you'd be better off sticking them on windows.
Personally I stick to windows because I can't be arsed to faff about with the thing, I just want ot use the machine and get on.
Does anyone know if there is a reliable way to run iTunes on Linux yet? I have an XP machine at home that basically sits in the loft running iTunes that then connects to apple TV's in various rooms of the house giving multi room audio.
With XP support ending I've been looking into what I need to do with it (if anything??) to keep it safe. It needs to be on the network to connect to ATV's but doesn't need internet access. Not sure how I could stop it connecting to the net?
Any ideas would be most welcome.
With XP support ending I've been looking into what I need to do with it (if anything??) to keep it safe. It needs to be on the network to connect to ATV's but doesn't need internet access. Not sure how I could stop it connecting to the net?
Any ideas would be most welcome.
Matt141980 said:
Does anyone know if there is a reliable way to run iTunes on Linux yet? I have an XP machine at home that basically sits in the loft running iTunes that then connects to apple TV's in various rooms of the house giving multi room audio.
With XP support ending I've been looking into what I need to do with it (if anything??) to keep it safe. It needs to be on the network to connect to ATV's but doesn't need internet access. Not sure how I could stop it connecting to the net?
Any ideas would be most welcome.
You could install some firewall software and block all IPs other than your LAN, but there may be an easier way.With XP support ending I've been looking into what I need to do with it (if anything??) to keep it safe. It needs to be on the network to connect to ATV's but doesn't need internet access. Not sure how I could stop it connecting to the net?
Any ideas would be most welcome.
Bikerjon said:
So all of a sudden I'm getting a trickle of calls from people worried about their XP machines now that MS have pulled the plug. There's no in-place upgrade from XP to 8 so switching is by no means as easy as it should be IMO. Then when you factor in the high price of Win 8 and maybe a hardware upgrade or 2, it soon becomes obvious that for most people a new machine will be the chosen route. Even then there's still the data transfer to contend with...
Trouble is many of the people stuck on XP obviously don't like change much and when I look at metro and the all the office features, toolbars and clutter it's always going to be a thankless upgrade! Whichever way they move it's going to involve some upheaval. I've seen various threads recently about going from XP to linux so today I downloaded a VM of Ubuntu and Mint. I haven't tried linux for ages and have to say I'm quite impressed. I have a few customers who literally only use their computers for webmail and word documents so for them it just might make sense to reuse their old familiar machines with zero upgrade cost.
Has anyone here actually ditched XP for Linux? What other options are there for reluctant XP switchers?
Most of the business machines still come with 7Pro and 8 on the recovery media.Trouble is many of the people stuck on XP obviously don't like change much and when I look at metro and the all the office features, toolbars and clutter it's always going to be a thankless upgrade! Whichever way they move it's going to involve some upheaval. I've seen various threads recently about going from XP to linux so today I downloaded a VM of Ubuntu and Mint. I haven't tried linux for ages and have to say I'm quite impressed. I have a few customers who literally only use their computers for webmail and word documents so for them it just might make sense to reuse their old familiar machines with zero upgrade cost.
Has anyone here actually ditched XP for Linux? What other options are there for reluctant XP switchers?
OP I understand it's what you do for a living, so why don't you try installing Ubuntu LTS on one of your own machines to try it?
I had an elderly laptop and a couple of years ago I installed Ubuntu on it. I've found that I can do everything I need to on it using Libra Office/Thunderbird/Chrome. Libra office reads all my old MS Office spreadsheets and docs with no problem.
I was looking for a replacement desktop machine, and I've realised that I'll get a huge performance increase by installing a SSD and Ubuntu - thus getting out of Windows altogether.
It's a learning curve, but not that steep for an 'office' type user.
I had an elderly laptop and a couple of years ago I installed Ubuntu on it. I've found that I can do everything I need to on it using Libra Office/Thunderbird/Chrome. Libra office reads all my old MS Office spreadsheets and docs with no problem.
I was looking for a replacement desktop machine, and I've realised that I'll get a huge performance increase by installing a SSD and Ubuntu - thus getting out of Windows altogether.
It's a learning curve, but not that steep for an 'office' type user.
Edited by Paul Drawmer on Friday 11th April 09:43
Paul Drawmer said:
OP I understand it's what you do for a living, so why don't you try installing Ubuntu LTS on one of your own machines to try it?
Yes, that's exactly what I've done. Several years since I last looked at linux but downloaded a VM of Ubuntu and Mint yesterday and I think in some ways it's more user friendly for an XP user than Win 8 (I never thought I'd say that about linux!)Some of the people contacting me are more than happy with XP. Their needs are basic but they still need to be online so their machine must be secure. For this type of person I think either sourcing a copy of Windows 7 or a move to Ubuntu will be the way forward.
I know this issue has been on the radar for ages, but up until this week I have had very few enquiries about it!
My dad is just about to hit 70 and, despite being a very early adopter of home computing back in the 1970's, isn't really very computer savvy these days.
He recently asked me about upgrading his ancient laptop and ancient desktop from XP to something newer, and although I initially suggested a Linux (since he also has an old Asus EEE) he was fairly resistant to the idea. So I suggested ditching both, buying a Dell laptop with Win7 or Win8.1 on it and a docking station, and connecting the docking station up in place of the desktop. This also removes the issue he had with syncing files on two machines.
As a concept, I think it was a sensible suggestion, but apparently he's really struggling with Win 8.1 and has observed that struggles less with the little laptop he bought for my mum last year that has Win7 on it.
So my fairly unscientific conclusion from this (based on a sample size of one, so probably pretty useless) is that it is marginally easier to transition from XP to Win7 than it is from WinXP to Win8.1
Edit: Having moved from XP to Win7 myself a couple of years ago, I can say it is a breeze. Run Windows Migration Wizard on the XP machine and save off what it generates to a USB stick, then run it again on the new Win7 machine and point it at the same USB stick, and it just worked.
Can't comment on Win8 or 8.1 as I am still on Win7 and pretty happy with it.
He recently asked me about upgrading his ancient laptop and ancient desktop from XP to something newer, and although I initially suggested a Linux (since he also has an old Asus EEE) he was fairly resistant to the idea. So I suggested ditching both, buying a Dell laptop with Win7 or Win8.1 on it and a docking station, and connecting the docking station up in place of the desktop. This also removes the issue he had with syncing files on two machines.
As a concept, I think it was a sensible suggestion, but apparently he's really struggling with Win 8.1 and has observed that struggles less with the little laptop he bought for my mum last year that has Win7 on it.
So my fairly unscientific conclusion from this (based on a sample size of one, so probably pretty useless) is that it is marginally easier to transition from XP to Win7 than it is from WinXP to Win8.1
Edit: Having moved from XP to Win7 myself a couple of years ago, I can say it is a breeze. Run Windows Migration Wizard on the XP machine and save off what it generates to a USB stick, then run it again on the new Win7 machine and point it at the same USB stick, and it just worked.
Can't comment on Win8 or 8.1 as I am still on Win7 and pretty happy with it.
Edited by JonRB on Tuesday 15th April 13:37
My father is doing the same XP to Win8.1 upgrade and it is going well.
You might want to right click on the TaskBar and change the Navigation settings to show Desktop when apps close, and desktop background on Start Screen - that way Win8 is like 7 but with a Start Screen instead of the Start Menu.
You might want to right click on the TaskBar and change the Navigation settings to show Desktop when apps close, and desktop background on Start Screen - that way Win8 is like 7 but with a Start Screen instead of the Start Menu.
I've been using PC's and Windows since they both first came out.
I bought a new laptop with Win 8 on it and subsequently upgraded to Win 8.1
I must be getting old .... I'm struggling like hell to find things on Win 8.1
It won't beat me, I'll get there in the end but I'm not enjoying the trip so far
I bought a new laptop with Win 8 on it and subsequently upgraded to Win 8.1
I must be getting old .... I'm struggling like hell to find things on Win 8.1
It won't beat me, I'll get there in the end but I'm not enjoying the trip so far
sgrimshaw said:
I must be getting old .... I'm struggling like hell to find things on Win 8.1
Search. As in, "use it". That's the whole idea - instead of a Start Menu six deep with all the crap the developers thought you should have, you search and "Pin to Start" only the ones you want. If you start from none and add something each time you use it the second time you'll end up with about eight icons you actually use.
grumbledoak said:
Search. As in, "use it".
That's the whole idea - instead of a Start Menu six deep with all the crap the developers thought you should have, you search and "Pin to Start" only the ones you want. If you start from none and add something each time you use it the second time you'll end up with about eight icons you actually use.
So I did as you said, I searched for Windows Update ... and found it no problem.That's the whole idea - instead of a Start Menu six deep with all the crap the developers thought you should have, you search and "Pin to Start" only the ones you want. If you start from none and add something each time you use it the second time you'll end up with about eight icons you actually use.
Now how the **** do I "Pin to Start" ?
sgrimshaw said:
grumbledoak said:
Search. As in, "use it".
That's the whole idea - instead of a Start Menu six deep with all the crap the developers thought you should have, you search and "Pin to Start" only the ones you want. If you start from none and add something each time you use it the second time you'll end up with about eight icons you actually use.
So I did as you said, I searched for Windows Update ... and found it no problem.That's the whole idea - instead of a Start Menu six deep with all the crap the developers thought you should have, you search and "Pin to Start" only the ones you want. If you start from none and add something each time you use it the second time you'll end up with about eight icons you actually use.
Now how the **** do I "Pin to Start" ?
JonRB said:
As a concept, I think it was a sensible suggestion, but apparently he's really struggling with Win 8.1 and has observed that struggles less with the little laptop he bought for my mum last year that has Win7 on it.
I think that's absolutely right and in fact have started the process of moving my elderly (and dangerously incapable!) FIL from XP to Win7 by buying a Win7 mini-tower off eBay. He's got his XP machine in a right mess a couple of times.Oddly I discovered yesterday that the small form-factor HP/Compaq Elite he's running XP on at the moment has a Win7 label on the bottom, so I'm not sure how he's come to be running XP!
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