Is Anyone Familiar with Zorin OS?

I'm currently running dual boot with Windows XP Pro SP3 and Zorin OS 6.3

I need some guidance in using Zorin OS 6.3. I chose this version because of the Windows like look, the Play on Linux ability to run Windows programs on a Linux platform and the fact that I don't have to use Terminal and it's somewhat cryptic commands (at least not yet).

I tried to install the Windows driver for my wi-fi card using the .inf file that was requested and was told that the app that does the installation for Linux was missing even though I was using that very app to try and install the driver. :confused

I also need to know how to get my Lexmark X4690 printer running under Linux via wi-fi. It's currently running under Windows over wi-fi.

TIA

 

Zorin is an excellent choice, FWIW. While I prefer Ubuntu, Zorin is based on Ubuntu and I typically introduce new Linux-users to Zorin for the exact reason you cited...visual similarities to Windows!

First of all, your wi-fi card should be detected by linux, and linux will download the appropriate driver for your wi-fi. Something is amiss here. Did the LiveCD allow for wireless access? If the cd allowed wireless function, your installation should have provided a wireless driver for linux. Is this a desktop with wifi card, or laptop? Please provide make, model, etc... so we can help out better. For instance, Dell Latitude D505 laptop would be helpful. Sometimes, on RARE occassions, a wifi windows driver needs to be installed using WICD, but this is becoming more and more rare. For future reference, ALWAYS use an ethernet cable to connect to internet when installing Linux. Depending on your answers above, it MAY be quicker to reinstall Zorin on your machine with an ethernet cable, overwriting your previous Zorin install. First things first, though... Let's get your wifi working and move forward from there...

Also, generally, speaking...Lexmark printers are not linux-friendly. However, YOUR particular model appears to be compatible. I found this link for you:

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1444847&highlight=lexmark+4690

follow this step-by-step tutorial and you should be up and running in no time! Congrats and welcome to the linux brotherhood!

 

I was going to reply to my own original post telling everyone to disregard my inquiry. Not only wouldn't the wi-fi install but Play on Linux kept crashing when trying to install Windows programs with their virtual drives.

I'm very new to Linux (obviously) but I don't need or want problems "right out of the box" so, I've deleted the Zorin OS partition and gone back to WXP exclusively. Maybe some day, in the not too distant future, I'll find a Linux distro that I like and can actually use.

Sorry to have bothered you.

 

It's not a problem. That's what this forum is for!

I don't want to talk you into doing something you don't want to do, or haven't adequately researched yet, so it's all okay. Come back when you're ready. In the meantime, may I offer the following for your consideration?

1. Zorin is an excellent choice for Windows migrators. Many others like Mint for similar reasons, but IMO, Zorin is the ticket for those familiar with Windows.

2. Choose a long-term support release, as they tend to be more full-featured, polished, and stable. Stay away from betas and release candidates (RC); they may work fantastic, but your odds are better with long-term support versions.

3. "Try before you buy"...a/ka burning a LiveCD or a usb flash drive and "testing" the OS before you install. Nearly ALL linux distros offer this ability. While a LiveCD or usb flash stick will obviously run a little slower, if it runs from a LiveCD or flash stick then it will be compatible with your hardware, as a general rule of thumb. This is especially important for an older-spec'd machine, such as Windows XP. A machine that doesn't like Zorin, or Ubuntu, may be just fine with Mint, FWIW. Try before you buy...

4. Tell us what you're trying to accomplish. You chose Zorin due to visual similarities to Windows, which is your prerogative. But you're also trying to install windows hardware drivers; and you're talking about PlayOn, which is a Windows-compatibility layer which allows SOME windows software to run on Linux systems. If you're just trying to setup windows software on linux, you should probably just keep on using windows. If you're willing to try linux alternatives to windows programs, things could go a LOT smoother for you. For instance, Microsoft Office will install via PlayOn, but LibreOffice is readily available, free, and installable with a single click. I promise that LibreOffice will do EVERYTHING that MS Office can do, including read/write/save in MS *.doc formats! If you're trying to install Quicken, there are numerous free alternatives with identical functionality, but look a little different than what you're used to; if it MUST be Quicken, certain versions of Quicken work better with PlayOn; but if you're using Quickbooks (another Intuit accounting product), then forget it, as it WILL NOT work.

If we knew what you're trying to do, perhaps we could help better, or at least provide additional information for things you need to think about or consider. You MIGHT be ready to make the switch now, depending on your answers; or you MAY be one of those folks who should continue using Windows. Either way, you'll be learning some new things! Let us know when you're up for for it, and good luck, regardless!

 

Well, in your initial reply you requested some specifics about my computer so, here they are:

Dell Precision M70 mobile workstation (had to replace system board — USB issues)
Intel Pentium M (915 pm/gm) @ 2.0 GHz
80 GB IDE WD Scorpio @ 5400 rpm
2 GB PC 4300 @ 533 MHz RAM (going to get PC 5300 @ 667 MHz)
NEC ND-6650A DVD ± RW
Broadcom NetExtreme 57xx Gigabit Ethernet (on-board(which Zorin used))
Dell 1470 Dual Band WLAN (installed requested .inf file but unable to configure)
Dell TrueMobile 350 Bluetooth (Zorin detected it and installed basic driver)
Sigmatel C Major audio (on-board (Zorin installed audio driver))
nVidia Quadro FX Go 1400 graphics card (Zorin used full resolution)
Lexmark X4690 AIO inkjet (followed your link and printed out network setup page)

My intentions are/were to find a suitable (for me) alternative to my soon to be defunct Windows XP. I've run Windows 7 in dual boot but, I had no audio or high res graphics (only Windows native). I ran the Windows 7 Upgrade Adviser and I'm going to be hard pressed to find sound and graphics drivers for Windows 7. The Dell site doesn't even list my 32 bit computer as marginally compatible with Windows 7 (they do list the 64 bit computers like the M65 or M90).

I used the distribution version of Zorin OS 6.3. I had downloaded and burned both the live CD and live DVD and ran/installed from the DVD (would that make a difference?).

I experimented with Play on Linux and installed Adobe Reader, Firefox and even IE 8. rolleyes

The selection of programs available IS somewhat limited

I've downloaded the RC DVD .iso for Zorin OS 7 (I know that A=Alpha, B=Beta [or Buggy], RC=Release Candidate, etc.) and I'm going to give it a try. I don't know if it will work the way I want and need it to.

My signature says "If we can't learn something new every day, we may as well be six feet under." But I'm no longer a "spring chicken". I still have some, if not most, of my mental faculties. I'm just hoping this isn't going to be an insurmountable obstacle for me.

 

Your hardware specs appear to be compatible, so this machine should serve you well with Linux for years to come. The only bugaboo is indeed your wireless, but that's easily fixed. I found a 2009 post showing how. Ironically, you probably had it right on the verge, but wiped your partition right before the last step.

So, here's my suggestion(s) for you to dual-boot your machine and decide if it's what you want:

1. Use your existing media for Zorin 6.3 to test system. If you're dead-set on RC version, go ahead, but RC MAY be trickier to troubleshoot. It's RC for a reason. Boot the LiveCD or LiveDVD (doesn't matter) and verify you have wireless service. If you do, the generic driver works, and that is your WORST CASE scenario. There may be proprietary drivers available upon update (you pulled the plug right before this step...but this step woulda done it for ya! FWIW...)

2. Upon verification that wifi works, plug in the ethernet connection to your router and verify that connection. Ethernet connection should automatically take "priority" over wireless. With ethernet connection verified, proceed with installation, just as you did before. Upon completion of installation, reboot your system. Check for system updates with Zorin Start (lower left)>System Tools>Administration>Update Manager. Assuming there are updates (there are likely 100's from 6.3 forward!) click install. A reboot will likely be required, as I'm fairly certain there will be a kernel upgrade in there somewhere.

3. Upon reboot, check for proprietary drivers in hardware. Again, Zorin Start>System Tools>System Settings>Additional Drivers and select any proprietary drivers for video, wifi, sound, etc... Once again, you will probably be prompted for a reboot. Upon reboot, disconnect the ethernet cable and wifi should take over with "wireless network found", click to connect, enter WEP key, etc... Your wifi should now be working as your default internet connection.

If you need a reference, here's what I found on the Ubuntu forum referencing your wireless chipset:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1327776
I'd suggest that post #4 is most applicable to you. If post #4 doesn't apply, start at post #1 and work forward. Note this thread is from 2009...this issue has probably been addressed in updates in the year 2013. ;-)

4. Proceed to printer installation. Download previouisly linked zip files and follow instructions for extraction of script and/or *.deb files. Inasmuch as your printer is a wifi printer, you may have issues setting up that printer in the printer control panel. A direct connect printer, such as usb, isn't a problem, but network printers have a bug in the GUI for setup. In a terminal, simply type system-config-printer and press enter. More details here:
http://www.zoringroup.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2305

That's it! You should be good to go with hardware and OS issues!

5. With respect to PlayOn and windows programs, don't unless you HAVE to. PlayOn is just a graphical front-end for WINE, to enhance novice usability. Bottom line, with VERY FEW exceptions, Linux almost always has an alternative of equal or greater functionality. Don't bother with Adobe, Firefox, or IE8 through PlayOn.

6. To install software programs, go to Zorin Start>Ubuntu Software Center. This is like the Apple Store, but for Ubuntu Linux. And Zorin is a highly customized version of Ubuntu. Zorin comes with a PDF viewer called "Document Viewer". If you don't like it, just type PDF in the search bar and BAM...lots of choices for installation. Okular is a nice alternative. Firefox for Linux can also be found in the Ubuntu Software Center; or Chrome, Chromium, or Opera. Just click to install. There really is no need for Internet Explorer, as most websites adhere to a universal standard format now, but if you really must and you prefer, go ahead and install IE from the Playon recipe. Looking for iTunes or Zune or WinAmp to play music? Don't bother, Zorin comes with Rhythmbox and will sync with your iPod or Android music device (not iPhone, at least not yet?!). Wanna play movies? Forget Windows Media Player, as Zorin comes with MoviePlayer and VLC. Anything you want to install on Zorin will be available in the Ubuntu Software Center. Nearly all are free. Don't like it? Click uninstall and try something elese. Very simple, very accessible, and very affordable to "try before you buy!"

I hope this helps you to decide whether to try again. If so, we're here to assist! Just post and ask! Otherwise, good luck, my friend!

 

Okay, Hedon. I've reinstalled Zorin OS 6.3. There were 43 updates that I downloaded and installed so, it's up to date.

I've installed Firefox 21 and in fact, I'm posting here right now in Firefox for Linux — Firefox is my preferred browser.

When I re-installed Zorin, I left the ethernet cable unplugged in hopes that the software would detect my wi-fi and install the driver for it — it did not. So, I connected the ethernet cable and that's how I got the updates and it's what I'm using for web browsing.

Now that I have Zorin installed (along side Windows XP), I can, at my leisure learn the ins and outs of the OS in general and get my wi-fi and printer running (I hope!).

I'll be referring to your previous posts for the information you've already provided and may be "picking your brain" for more.

 

Congrats on the install. I salute your efforts to investigate further and hope that Zorin is what you're looking for. If it isn't, I'm certain there's another distro out there that will fit the bill, but with the plethora of choices in Linux, the only question is "how many tries" before you succeed?!!!

I'm a little concerned you left the ethernet unplugged during installation, as the installation detects hardware and loads modules for the hardware. Without the ethernet, it may not have loaded the required wifi module. We'll see how it turns out...

Pick my brain all you want (it'll be a quick meal! ha, ha!) and look for posts by Bored Out Of My Mind (BOOMM), Hawklord (Hawk), Plodr, and iChase. Those guys have been IMMENSELY helpful to me over the years. There's other guys too, but those 4 have been real lifesavers for me, FWIW.

Welcome to the fold!:cool

 

The first time I installed Zorin, it detected the module but said the firmware needed to be updated. Interestingly, though, I have a Realtek 802.11n USB dongle that I plugged in with Zorin running and nearly had a wi-fi connection right off the bat.

The wireless network connections in Linux require a lot more information to be entered like device mac address, IP address, subnet mask, gateway, SSID, etc. I was able to get most of that information for the USB dongle but I don't know how to do that for the wireless card.

I don't want the wireless to be the default connection as it's primarily used for printing — BTW my Lexmark X4690 printer CAN be connected via USB cable. In fact, Windows required the USB connection during initial setup and again when my wireless modem was replaced by my cable service provider. But I'm using wi-fi for printing because I don't want another cable hanging out of the back of the computer — my power and ethernet cables already do that.

As far as leaving the ethernet cable unplugged during installation — should I reinstall Zorin with it connected and this time with the 802.11n USB dongle plugged in during the reinstallation? If wi-fi is functioning thereafter, I'd then only have to worry about getting the printer working.

Interesting that you mentioned plodr in your most recent reply. I've exchanged PMs with her on an amicable basis. So, maybe I'll "pick her brain" too when it comes to Linux (jeez, that woman's got 8 computers!!).

 

I don't know that there will be a problem. I wouldn't re-install Zorin at this time. With Zorin already installed, I'd plug the ethernet cable in (and LEAVE it plugged in) and move on to the proprietary hardware drivers (now that updates are done). Follow the linked posts if need be. Realtek seems to be linux-friendly, while Broadcom devices are hit or miss. I'm assuming your Dell card is a Broadcom device, but it WILL work! I've located posts regarding linux-compatibility with Dell M70 laptops, and numerous folks have been successful, except for the hibernate feature. Wireless is a temporary challenge, but solved.

As a matter of clarification, once your wireless is working, it WILL be the default connection, unless you plug/unplug the ethernet cable when you want to activate/bypass the wifi. IMO, that defeats the purpose of wifi! Let's get your wifi working, then proceed to your wifi printer, and you're off to the races...

Follow the wifi card instructions previously provided and let us know how you did!

BTW, I also have 8 computers in this house, not including tablets, but I'm still not as smart as Plodr, IMO!! :-D

 

Sorry people, Zorin OS is being like Zorin in "A View to a Kill". I've had nothing but problems including crashes. So, Zorin OS is off of my computer — permanently.

I have found one version of Linux that automatically configures my wifi — Mepis, but I'm not certain that I'm going to stick with that distro (I didn't try to configure my printer yet). I'll keep looking though.

 

Sorry Zorin didn't work for you, but kudos to you for being open-minded enough to give it a try. On a positive note, isn't it nice to have the FREEDOM to make a different choice? Conversely, if Mepis detects your wifi hardware automatically, why not just stick with that? What are you looking to "improve upon" for a permanant distro choice?

I remember you had a fairly old system, so I'm guessing it's 32-bit and I'm guessing a max of 2GB RAM. How much RAM do you ACTUALLY have, as opposed to maximum? As a general rule of thumb, LXDE desktops run fairly well on 256MB systems; XFCE desktops run fairly well on 512MB systems. Alternatively, Enlightenment desktops supposedly run well on as little as 128MB RAM?!!!

Bodhi Linux is probably the best Enlightenment desktop available:
http://www.bodhilinux.com/
However, Bodhi looks NOTHING like Windows!

Referencing your criteria to "resemble windows", I would recommend Lubuntu and Mint LXDE as the most user-friendly incarnations of the LXDE desktop:
http://lubuntu.net/
http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=98
However, Mint does not appear to stay current with the LXDE desktop, FWIW.

Alternatively, I do not have any experience with the XFCE desktop, but Ubuntu and Mint tend to offer the most "polished" desktops. Also, XFCE doesn't really resemble the Windows layout, but is closer to Gnome2, IMO. That said, do either of these appear to suit your needs:
http://www.xubuntu.org/
http://www.linuxmint.com/release.php?id=18

Also, in all fairness, all my recommendations tend to revolve around the Ubuntu family of Debian-based distros. That is because of my area of familiarity. I'm sure there are other equally viable families of Linux distros that are Debian or RPM-based, but I can't offer a voice of experience for them. Perhaps some others will chime in with their experiences?

I'm sure we can fix you up with something that not only works, but that you'll be PLEASED with! The only question is...how many tries?!

 

Hi Everyone, I'm a new Zorin OS 7 user who wants to convert from MS Windows 7. I want to install screenlet that displays the time and date, weather, the hard drive usage, etc.
In windows 7 I used Rainlendar2 to keep track of the events and todo for future dates.
Does Zorin OS have a similar screenlet. Can I change the desktop wallpaper in this Zorin
release or must I get Ultimate version.
Thanks

 

Let's start at the end and work back:

- YES, you can change the wallpaper. Right click anywhere on desktop and follow your mouse for a new selection (very similar to Windows 7, actually!). No need to purchase Ultimate version, unless you want to EASILY theme to look like Mac OSX or Ubuntu Unity.
- I've heard of Rainlender, but have no experience with it. I use Thunderbird and import my google calendars, contacts, and to do list, using Thunderbird add-ons. Works quite well for me, but I can't comment on functional similarities to Rainlender.
- With respect to screenlets, I believe Conky will provide something to your liking. Inasmuch as Conky is reputed to be a little devilish to setup, I prefer pre-configured Conky PPAs provided by NoobsLabs, who has Ubuntu configs premade. Zorin is based on Ubuntu, so I'm fairly certain these will work for you also. Just follow instructions for PPA...worked great for me!

http://www.noobslab.com/2011/11/themes-collection-for-ubuntu-1110-unity.html

 

Oops, I gave the wrong link for Conky screenlets. Try this instead...my bad!

http://www.noobslab.com/2012/07/conky-collection-for-ubuntulinux.html

 

Here is the Ultimate Conky Thread.

Here is my last conky.
http://s5.postimg.org/6ndrq9auv/Screenshot.png
upload an image

 

WOW, very nice. Zorin OS 7 is acting up and constantly rebooting with Conky. I did like how you used thunderbird to get your Google Calendar reminders. Also I'm trying to add wallpaper for my desktop background, but can't figure out how this can be done. I was able to change background via your instructions. I created add-on in Firefox and some how
this occasionally causes the Zorin to completely to shutdown. Is this too much for Zorin or are there limits.

blackprince64

 

Wow BOOOM! I remember you were a Conky tweaker, but I also remember you had a hard time getting something the way you wanted it. Is this what you were tweaking up? Pretty awesome looking...makes my pre-configured Conky screenlets look, well....simple! Nice job!

P.S. How you like LMDE? Is that your preferred distro now, or just a current flavor?

 

Hi everyone, I've made good progress with Zorin OS 7. I finally figured out
how to setup Rainlendar Lite on my desktop. I works Great!!!. I am still
stuck on installing Conky PPA for (1) CPU Usage, (2) Drive usage,
(3) Network Meter and (4) Gmail Email Notifier. My color scheme is black background
with white lettering. I did setup a folder with LibreOffice templets that
I am currently using on Windows. Most of these templets come from
Open Office and Vertex42 websites. I found 30 templets that for me are
very useful. Finally, I like Zorin OS 7 so much, that I plan to teach
this in the spring of 2014 for those want to move to a linux Windows like OS
system.

 

NICE! Another convert?!

I really like Zorin, a LOT! Not enough for ME to switch from Ubuntu, but enough to make it my top recommendation for Windows migrators. I used to suggest Linux Mint or Lubuntu (I still recommend Lubuntu for older machines) due to their layout and resemblance to familiar Windows interfaces. But Zorin really nails it.

With her prior consent, I put it on my tech-challenged mother's computer after an especially exasperating WinXP repair session, for the umpteenth time. When I returned her machine, she commented "I thought you were gonna replace Windows with that computer stuff you use?" I just smiled, gave her a quick walk-through tour, handed her the mouse and quizzed her with "show me the internet...show me e-mail...show me writing a letter" and she either got it right away, or figured it out herself fairly quickly. That was about 1-1/2 years ago and I haven't had a single request from her for any tech support on that machine! Her Windows7 machine in her business, however, is still a fairly regular patient. She'd like to switch it over to Zorin also(!), because it "works better". But she has some proprietary business software that runs on Windows only, and doesn't understand why she can't just install it on Zorin. As soon as I teach her about VirtualBox and Virtual Machines, we'll convert the work 'puter to Zorin also.

So, based on HER reaction, and now YOUR experience, I fully expect Zorin usage to skyrocket next spring, when WinXP support expires. Very few folks are aware of this expiration, and even fewer will be proactive in the process. But the first time a problem with a WinXP computer cannot get tech support, they'll be faced with a Win7 forced upgrade ($100+), a brand new Win8 machine (couple hundred $+ AND very few like or want it), or an alternative OS that makes their old machine feel brand new again. This is where Linux comes in, and familiar-looking Zorin specifically! FWIW, I think your plan and your timing is PERFECT! Then again, if I could accurately predict the future, I'd be independently wealthy and living in a warmer climate on a sandy land mass surrounded on all sides by water, and decorated with palm trees and numerous scantily-clad polynesian women eager to please their sole master and overlord! :-D So what do I know? :-o

In the meantime...

Inasmuch as I don't know much about Rainlender, I'd be interested in you posting a tutorial "how to" with some screenshots. Conversely, I LOVE LibreOffice (I think it's BETTER than MS Office, and the price can't be beat!!) but the LO weakpoint is indeed templates, IMO. How about a link for those templates that you consider to be useful?f

Congrats! You can be our resident Zorin expert! Pay it forward...

 

Here are some links for LiberOffice Templates and Rainlander

Templates for LibreOffice

http://templates.openoffice.org/en/templates/categories

http://templates.openoffice.org/en

http://templates.libreoffice.org/template-center

Rainlander with skins

http://www.rainlendar.net/cms/?option=com_rny_download

http://customize.org/rainlendar

blackprince64