change to linux since xp will not be supported any longer?

Linux Mint is a good choice. Many Windows migrators find the Mint desktop to be more familiar to what they're used to, and therefore, more user-friendly. There's nothing wrong with switching until you find what works for you.

While I'm a huge fan of Ubuntu, I've cautioned many users that it isn't for everyone, nor every computer. If you liked your WinXP, I think you'll like Mint!

 

I did burn the PLoP to a cd and I then put that into the drive as well as the flash into the usb port and restarted the pc. However, I have a question... When I started the pc there was a small box on the upper left corner that has 7 items in a row
HDA PARTITION 1
FLOPPY
CDROM
USB

SETUP
ABOUT
SHUTDOWN


I used the arrow keys and selected USB (since Ubuntu in on the USB / flash stick) and that gave me a screen with

Loading EHC1 Driver
Searching on Hosts
Host 1
Host 2
Driver Removed
Loading UHCI Driver
Searching on Hosts
Host 1

and then nothing else happens.

I then tried the ESC key but nothing happens so tried crtl+alt+del and it starts
with the original screen in the upper left corner and if I select setup I get a warning - you cannot save changes!!!

Should I be clicking the enter key and going with the setup? Or should I be selecting one of the other options???

I did use the arrow keys and selecting Shutdown but nothing happens. I rally don't want to just go to the power button on the pc to shut down the pc and restart it but selecting shutdown did not doing anything. I again went with crtl+alt+del and then opened up the cd drive and the pc started normally.

Went to check out linux mint but there are a few different options - which one do you suggest?

 

I'm not sure what's happening with the PLoP boot. Did you just copy the ISO file to the USB stick, or did you create a bootable USB stick? The USB stick needs to be bootable, otherwise PLoP is trying to boot a USB stick that hasn't been formatted for booting.

http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/create-a-usb-stick-on-windows

With respect to Linux Mint, I'd probably recommend Cinnamon with all codecs, as that is the most user-friendly out-of-the-box.

 

Okay, I did follow those steps exactly as described in that link --- http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/create-a-usb-stick-on-windows and I even changed the setting for the persistent file when I did it.

Will try downloading the Universal USB installer and Ubuntu.iso from http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop for the 32 bit machines with less than 2GB Ram again and try again. I had already erased the .iso and usb installer so it will take some time to download the .iso file again. Once it is completed I will try those steps again and then try starting the pc with the PLop disc and USB flash stick with the ubuntu file on it again and let you know what happens.


Just thought about something --- not sure if this makes any difference but I was using a 8GB flashdrive for this (which is in fact formatted to Fat32). Should I be using a smaller flash drive???


Thanks!

If I am still having problems maybe I will just stick with the Puppy Linux or try the Mint Linux with Cinnamon instead. Will be back in touch after that .iso has finished downloading again.

Lisa

 

Well, in case the problem was because of using an 8GB flashdrive I switched to a 2GB instead but this time when it was done I noticed the sentence
Copy Failed on the 2nd from last line
Pasted the entire info below

Extract: C:\Users\lmh\AppData\Local\Temp\nsr1DE.tmp\syslinux.exe... 100%
Extract: C:\Users\lmh\AppData\Local\Temp\nsr1DE.tmp\syslinux.cfg... 100%
Extract: C:\Users\lmh\AppData\Local\Temp\nsr1DE.tmp\7zG.exe... 100%
Extract: C:\Users\lmh\AppData\Local\Temp\nsr1DE.tmp\7z.dll... 100%
Extract: C:\Users\lmh\AppData\Local\Temp\nsr1DE.tmp\chain.c32... 100%
Extract: C:\Users\lmh\AppData\Local\Temp\nsr1DE.tmp\menu.c32... 100%
Extract: C:\Users\lmh\AppData\Local\Temp\nsr1DE.tmp\vesamenu.c32... 100%
Extract: C:\Users\lmh\AppData\Local\Temp\nsr1DE.tmp\mbrid
Create folder: G:\uui
Copy to G:\uui\syslinux.cfg
Executing syslinux on G:
Execute: C:\Users\lmh\AppData\Local\Temp\nsr1DE.tmp\syslinux.exe -maf -d /uui G:
Syslinux Errors 0
Creating Label UUI on G:
Extracting the iso: The progress bar will not move until finished. Please be patient...
Execute: "C:\Users\lmh\AppData\Local\Temp\nsr1DE.tmp\7zG.exe" x "C:\Users\lmh\Desktop\ubuntu-12.04.4-desktop-i386.iso" -o"G:\" -y -x![BOOT]*
Editing Configuration Files
Extract: C:\Users\lmh\AppData\Local\Temp\nsr1DE.tmp\dd.exe... 100%
Extract: C:\Users\lmh\AppData\Local\Temp\nsr1DE.tmp\mke2fs.exe... 100%
Now Creating a Casper RW File
Creating the Persistent File: The progress bar will not move until finished. Please be patient...
rawwrite dd for windows version 0.6beta3.
Written by John Newbigin <jn@it.swin.edu.au>
This program is covered by terms of the GPL Version 2.

1,220M 99% Error writing file: 112 There is not enough space on the disk
1,220M 99%
1221+0 records in
1220+0 records out

Mke2fs for Winnt/2k/xp V0.04
Format a file or volume to ext2 format file system.

Author: Matt <mattwu@163.com>
Homepage: http://ext2.yeah.net

Mke2fs: Failed to query disk gemetry, rc=c000000dh

Press ENTER to format G:\casper-rw

Ext2 Super Block Details ...

Inode Count: 312320
Block Count: 312320
Reserved Block Count: 15616
Free Blocks: 302528
Free Inodes: 312320
First Data Block: 0
Log Block Size: 2
Log Frag Size: 2
Blocks per Group: 32768
Fragments per Group: 32768
Inodes per Group: 31232
Mount Time: Sun Mar 30 18:54:38 2014
Write Time: Sun Mar 30 18:54:38 2014
Mount Count: 0
Max Mount Count: 31
Magic Number: EF53 (OK)
File System State: 1
Error Behaviour: 1
Minor rev: 0
Last Check: Sun Mar 30 18:54:38 2014
Check Interval: 0
Creator OS: 5
Revision Level: 1
Reserved Block Default UID: 0
Reserved Block Default GID: 0
uuid = 60 1b 31 98 de ab 1e 4c 8b 73 df d3 51 4a 1f ae
volume label name: casper-rw


Filesystem Statics ...

Filesystem label=casper-rw
OS type: Winnt
Block size=4096 (log=2)
Fragment size=4096 (log=2)
312320 inodes, 312320 blocks
15616 blocks (5.00%) reserved for the super user
First data block=0
10 block groups
32768 blocks per group, 32768 fragments per group
31232 inodes per group
Superblock backups stored on blocks:
32768, 98304, 163840, 229376, 294912


Writing inode table information ...
00% percent is done.

Writing superblocks and filesystem accounting information ...
Writing superblocks and filesystem accounting information done!


Thanks for using Mke2fs V0.04 by Matt.

Extract: C:\Users\lmh\AppData\Local\Temp\nsr1DE.tmp\Uni-USB-Installer-Copying.txt... 100%
Extract: C:\Users\lmh\AppData\Local\Temp\nsr1DE.tmp\Uni-USB-Installer-Readme.txt... 100%
Extract: C:\Users\lmh\AppData\Local\Temp\nsr1DE.tmp\license.txt... 100%
C:\Users\lmh\AppData\Local\Temp\nsr1DE.tmp\Uni-USB-Installer-Copying.txt -> G:\Uni-USB-Installer-Copying.txt
1 File(s) copied
C:\Users\lmh\AppData\Local\Temp\nsr1DE.tmp\Uni-USB-Installer-Readme.txt -> G:\Uni-USB-Installer-Readme.txt
1 File(s) copied
C:\Users\lmh\AppData\Local\Temp\nsr1DE.tmp\license.txt -> G:\license.txt
1 File(s) copied
Checking if we need to replace vesamenu.c32, menu.c32, and chain.c32
Found chain.c32 at G:\isolinux\chain.c32
Copy to G:\isolinux\chain.c32
Copy failed
Found vesamenu.c32 at G:\isolinux\vesamenu.c32
Copy to G:\isolinux\vesamenu.c32
Copy failed
Installation Done, Process is Complete!


Since the flash was formatted to Fat32 I am wondering if a 2GB flash drive isn't large enough. Going to try using a 4GB Kingston instead and see what happens.

Lisa

 

Okay, this time I used a 4gb Kingston flash drive and again used the Universal USB Installer and followed all of the directions exactly as stated and there were no errors when it was done. I then put the disc that I burned as instructed from PLop into the drive and plugged in the flash drive and restarted the pc.

Again, I got the screen that I described earlier today and if I select USB from that little box in the upper right corner I get the exact same results and nothing else happens after I select USB. The screen states
Loading EHCI Driver
Searching on Hosts
Hots 1
Host 2
Driver Removed
Loading UHCI Driver
Searching on HOsts
Host 1

After 5 minutes... still nothing else happens.

Am I not supposed to select USB from that little box in the upper left hand corner? Or did I burn the wrong .iso from the PLoP download? I did as instructed and suing IMGBurn I selected the plpbt.iso that is there when I first open up the .zip folder.

There is another plpbt.iso located inside of that folder in a folder titled install and that one is plpbtin.iso (did I burn the wrong .iso file?) There is also another .iso file named plpbt.iso in the pcmcia folder.

Lisa

(will check back tomorrow morning since I have some other things that I need to do tonight)
Thanks

 

just an update.... I used the PLoP disc that I made along with the USB on my laptop and the Ubuntu did load so the issue isn't that I copied the incorrect .iso to a disc or that the usb installer didn't work. Not sure why it won't work on the Dell Dimension 4400. (I did the exact same thing on my laptop and it did load)

I wasn't able to get it to connect to my wireless network which I was able to do with the puppy linux programs - may try using the Ubuntu.iso that I burned and just try starting the laptop with that tomorrow when I get back home and see if it will then recognize the wireless network. It also would not shut down - could just be that it takes forever when using the usb version (but I did wait 15 minutes after clicking to shut down and nothing at all happened) Perhaps that will also be different when I try it again with the Ubuntu.iso alone on the laptop.

(just curious to see if those 2 things will in fact work correctly on the laptop if I try Ubuntu directly from the .iso disc instead of going through the PLop disc and the flash drive - but I was curious as to whether or not there was a problem with the PLoP.iso and flash.)

Thanks Again!

Lisa

 

Really?! I've been scratching my head over lmhjcr's dilemma, as it sounds like she's done everything correctly, and now that she's successully usb-booted on an alternative machine, it's obviously unique to the Dimension 4400. I was starting to wonder about an up-to-date BIOS, but a hardware issue never crossed my mind. Although that diagnosis seems to address all the systems. Do you think it's because the port SHE is using is faulty; or something unique to the way Dimension 4400 ports are wired? Either way, THANK YOU for jumping in with that!

lmhjcr, you had indicated a willingness to consider Mint in place of Ubuntu. If you cannot get the Dimension 4400 to boot with a LiveUSB distro, would you be willing to consider some other distros that are small enough to fit on a CD? If a distro is too big for CD, due to all the pre-installed software, an alternative could be to install a smaller "base" distro that WILL fit on a CD, and add the free software you feel is lacking after installation. Just throwing it out there that you do have options!

For instance, I have installed Zorin Lite in a Virtual Machine (VM) environment, and found it to be a perfectly suitable option that it is eerily similar to Windows. The ISO will fit on a CD, and depending on YOUR criteria, you may find it to be suitable also:

Zorin Lite is available at this link, using the "Lite" tab
http://zorin-os.com/free6.html

Bodhi will fit on a CD, but uses a desktop called Enlightenment. I personally find Enlightenment to be a strange bird, but those who like it prefer it over anything else:
http://www.bodhilinux.com/downloads_desktop.php

Peppermint is available here, with excellent step-by-step instructions about how to create a LiveCD for testing/installation:
http://peppermintos.com/guide/downloading/

All 3 of these options are based on Ubuntu, with modifications of various software packages and/or desktop environments. If you are dead-set on Ubuntu, the Ubuntu Server version will fit on a CD, but does not have a GUI desktop. However, IMO, this is pretty simple to add after installation. The downside to this option is that it cannot be adequately tested on your system in a LiveCD environment, as a restart will be required in order to boot into the GUI desktop, which will not be saved in the LiveCD environment. It's a catch-22. I'm not recommending this to you, just demonstrating that you DO have OPTIONS!

As plodr suggested, try one of the rear ports on the Dimension 4400 that you know is a good one. If you simply cannot boot to a USB stick with PLoP, perhaps one of the above CD-sized distros will catch your fancy?! <fingers crossed>

 

Thanks so Very Much for all of the help and input. I didn't even consider the possibility that it wasn't working because I am using a front USB port (I had even tried a USB hub that has nothing plugged into it that plugs into 2 of the rear usb ports - just a stab in the dark)

The problem with accessing the rear ports is that I am disabled and it is a real pain in the a$$ to pull that tower out to access those ports (which is why I got a usb hub that I could access from the front if need be and I figured that if I got one that requires the use of two of the usb ports in the rear it might be better than those cheaper hubs). I did try plugging other stuff into all of the ports I can access and everything else works just fine (that does not mean that it would be a reliable port for this application - but I thought I would make sure that they were all working anyway)

Anyway, I really am not dead set on one particular version of Linux. I was just trying to use the Ubuntu since lots of folks seem to like it. I did try Puppy Linux (version 5.2.8) but could not get that to access the internet so the folks at the Puppy forum suggested Slacko Puppy 5.7-NO-pae and that one worked find and I got the internet connection too.

I just want to be able to use something other than Windows XP (should I need to use that computer in the future - that desktop is really just a backup in case of emergency). I don't use it much now - other than to get the updates, make sure everything else is up to date and every couple of months to make a backup with acronis.

I would most definitely be willing to consider some other distros that are small enough to fit on a CD? If a distro is too big for CD, due to all the pre-installed software, an alternative could be to install a smaller "base" distro that WILL fit on a CD, and then add the free software you feel is lacking after installation. Would be fine too!

I didn't realize that I had so many options until recently.

Since it is a real issue for me to even access those rear ports ---- I think that maybe I will check out those other 3 options first and see if I can get any of those to work and connect to the internet before I try accessing those rear ports. It is just really hard for me to even pull that tower out let alone get into a position to reach the usb ports (now if there were on the top in the rear it would be much easier!).

Off to check out those 3 options. Will be in touch.

One question - was just looking at the Bodhi Linux link and there is an option for a non-pae download --- should I use that one since I was able to get my internet connection to work with the slacko puppy no-pae version?

Again, I can't thank everyone enough for all your help and patience!!!!

Lisa

 

I do have something similar to that - but what I have connect to the rear usb ports is a Targus PAUH210 that looks like the one I attached. I can plug in both the red and black cables for items that require more power and I have both of them plugged into 2 of the usb ports in the back and I have almost identical to what you showed plugged into another port in the rear as well.

Thanks! Somehow I think that sometimes it is still better to plug the flashdrive directly into the port instead of using these cables (not sure why - think that I must have read something to that affect at one time or another.)

 

Well, I managed to download and try out the Bohdi option (selected the one that states non-pae since the slacko puppy NO-pae version gave me my internet connection easily).

Anyway, like you said it is a strange bird and it took me forever to even figure out how to find the link to set up the internet connection (a help menu with a box to type in what one is looking for would have been much more helpful). Anyway, I'm not so sure about that one.

Right now just finished burning the Peppermint Option and once it started up it was easy to find the option for the network connection and easy to set up. Will have to look into what I would use instead of MS Office and how one goes about setting up a firewall and anti-virus program and what other things I would need or want. --- but if I recall correctly (and I could be wrong) I think it was mentioned that I could find the free software at this point.

Still have to check this one out and the Zorin Lite too.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I'm off to check out this Peppermint.

Lisa

 

Open Office will do what MS office does.
As for firewall and AV, Here's some advice from the Peppermint forums:
http://peppermintos.net/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=91

 

Good find from Just Playin, regarding firewall and AV. A little common sense goes a LONG WAY, but if you feel you must have an AV program, then ClamAV is almost always in the repositories. Just recognize that AV programs in Windows are "real time", constantly scanning for threats, while AV programs in Linux are "on demand", when you suspect something. Inasmuch as most viruses/malware are designed for Windows, Linux is very safe & secure. I don't have a link for it, but I've read that there are thousands or tens of thousands of Windows malware variants, while there are less than 40 confirmed Linux malwares, and even those won't install in a "stealth" manner, but will attempt to trick you into allowing an installation, as that is the only method of entry into your system; you gave it permission!

For this reason, any software you might want to install will be available from Software Manager/Center, or something similarly named. It looks like Peppermint uses the cloud-based GoogleDocs/GoogleDrive as an office suite, which is probably sufficient for what you describe the Dimension 4400 will be used for. But if you want a fuller featured office suite that functions more like Microsoft Office, most linux distros provide LibreOffice (which was forked from OpenOffice). It also appears that PepperMint provides Chromium (open source version of Chrome) as a browser. If you prefer Firefox, or Opera, or Midori, or Epiphany, or Konqueror, or IceWeasel (you get the idea), just go to the Software Manager, locate it, and click to install. Linux will do the rest! As a newbie, everything you want/need will be in the Software Manager and everything in the Software Manager has been vetted and tested for compatibility with your system, and malware-free!

 

Thanks Again for All the Help!!!

I really haven't had much chance to mess with Peppermint since I initially started to look at it (hubby broke a tooth and we spent a good part of yesterday at the dentist and then I had a pretty busy schedule today).

I did find a link (probably the same one that Just Playin posted) regarding the firewalls and anti-virus programs. I do have the security set up on the router as well so from what I read at the link it looks like it won't be a big deal (especially since the Dell is just for use in an emergency anyway).

From everything that I have been learning since looking into switching the old Dell to Linux I have started thinking that it might not be a bad idea to switch this laptop to a Linux system as well. One thing at a time ~ will work on that Dell first and then maybe see about installing Linux on this laptop as either the only operating system or maybe putting a partition on the laptop hard drive and installing Linux on the one partition and going that way - if that is even a possibility.

I am guessing that all I need to do - once I do decide which linux option I am going to use is to select the option to install it instead of running from the CD and it will take care of removing the Windows XP from the hard drive (did make a backup with acronis already).

Thanks Again for absolutely all the help.

Lisa

 

Well, I am a Linux user, even I must admit that SOMETIMES Windows is the "proper tool" for the job. I would absolutely put Linux on the laptop, but I would either retain Windows as a dual-boot option, or I would install Windows in a VM, with the Linux system as a host. IMO, that is the best of both worlds...the ability to use Windows programs when/if needed, but with all the benefits of a rock-solid system that is much less susceptible to malware attacks.

But ONE machine at a time!!! Stay with your Dell conversion from WinXP to Peppermint (or another distro) and take some time to get familiar with it. Make sure it's going to suit your needs. It's actually VERY SIMPLE to install a linux distro; it's a pain in the butt to switch to a different one.

Once you're CERTAIN you want to install a distro, make CERTAIN you're connected to the internet and I STRONGLY SUGGEST you use an ethernet cable. Just click the "install" icon and a wizard will walk you through the installation. At some point, the wizard will scan your existing disk layout and will announce that it has located "another OS" on the disk and will ask if you want to 1) completely erase disk and install linux in its place (might as well for a WinXP computer) or 2) install linux side-by-side with the other use, choosing between them at boot (this is called dual-boot) or 3) something else. Make your selection and finish answering questions asked by the wizard in order to setup your user account, passwords, timezones, etc... If you select the dual-boot option, linux will create a partition for itself as part of the process, but will allow you to modify the disk space allocations for each OS.

Depending on the speed of your machine, you should realistically have a new system within 30 minutes +/-!

 

Thanks Again,
I agree ~ 1 machine at a time and I am going to start with the Dell since it has XP on it (and this way I can still have my laptop which is running vista as well).

The Peppermint and Slacko Puppy seem to work pretty well so far. Will still need to try the Zorin Lite as well. I was looking into all the different version of Linux there are and I didn't realize that there were so many options to choose from!

Using an ethernet cable to connect to the pc when installing which ever distro I decide on would be difficult (not totally impossible - but close) since the tower is pretty heavy and the internet connection is down in the garage (directly below the room that the pc is in). Think that I will try doing it with my wireless connection first since trying to get that tower disconnected, down the hall and a set of steps and then into the garage (let alone where I would put it so that I could set up the monitor too is going to be an issue). With the laptop is wouldn't be any big deal.

Guess I also have to decide if I want to go with a dual boot (which looks like that would be pretty easy to do) or look into installing Windows XP on a VM and Linux as the host. I actually think that I do have space in the tower to put another hard drive (but really don't want to go that route with a pc that is this old). Time to do some more research and look into the VM option as well.

I really can't thank you enough!

Lisa

 

There are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of linux distros to choose from. Too many choices, IMO, but the ones you are considering are well supported in user forums. In addition to hardware, user tech support might be the 2nd most important consideration for a new user. You'll be okay with any of your choices; as long as your hardware "likes" it, go with whatever YOU like the best.

And FWIW, I wouldn't worry about a dual-boot with the WinXP machine. Personally, I would recommend that you just install Linux on the entire hard drive, wiping out the WinXP installation. You still have your Vista machine. If it turns out that you need a WinXP for whatever unforseen reason, we can install XP in a VM and restrict it's network to "local only" or "none", thereby preventing internet access where XP will be vulnerable.

You MAY experience a glitch in installation of linux, depending on your wireless card in the 4400. If your wireless card is considered "proprietary", you may lose wifi after installation and re-boot. I'm not saying you will, but I've seen it happen, and you need internet access in order to repair your internet connection. I've learned from experience that installation with ethernet connection is fool-proof. I understand that may not be practical for you.

Is there any way to fish an ethernet cable between your tower's connection and your router? If so, this would be a good long-term solution and will likely boost your internet speed. If it's not practical, I guess you'll have to roll the dice and hope that your detected wifi card has an open source driver and is downloaded at installation. If it does not, we've only got 2 options I know of:
1. Run that ethernet cable or move the tower, somehow, someway, so we can install the linux-firmware-nonfree packages, or
2. Purchase an alternative wifi solution that is KNOWN to work with linux out-of-the-box; I would recommend a Bolse dongle, as I have installed 3 different Bolse models on 3 different machines (1 of which was a basement location, as far from the router as physically possible!) and I have experienced a 100% success rate, so far.
http://www.amazon.com/Bolse®-300Mbps-Wireless-N-Micro-Adapter/dp/B00DTZYHX4

Maybe you'll get lucky, with no issues. If you have no internet on re-boot, we've either got to connect to router via ethernet and type commands, or install the recommended wifi dongle, which should be automatically detected by linux kernel, with built-in drivers activated. You've had a lot of speed bumps so far. Just warning you that there MAY be one more before you cross the finish line! ;-)

 

Thanks for all the suggestions and the link for that dongle!

Unfortunately, to run an ethernet cable from the tower down to the Linksys router would require a LOT of cable and the possibility of tripping over it in at least one location and I'm not sure that I would be able to close the door between the basement and garage once I did run it to the router (and the fact that the car would keep running over it as well). That door between the garage and basement has a pretty tight seal on it and that cable may not allow the door to close or it would get really badly crimped when it did get shut.

If I absolutely have to do so in order to get the system set up I will just have to find a way to get the tower and monitor (keyboard and mouse too I guess - since right now I use a wireless keyboard and mouse) down into the basement just to do the install. But I couldn't leave it connected to the router all the time. Right now I have an ALFA Network AWUSO36NH 802.11 b/g/n Long-Range USB Wireless Adapter with a 7dBi Antenna connected to that pc right now and I do get an good internet connection and the Slacko Puppy and Peppermint distros both were able to locate it right away and as soon as I entered the password I was connected - but I am guessing that I need to be aware of the fact that it might not be enough when trying to install one of the distros.

You are so right that I have had a "few" speed bumps along the way - but I sort of figured it wasn't going to be as simple as ABC (would be nice - but didn't think it would go that smoothly).

Thanks for the heads up on the possible speed bump!

The link for that dongle shows 3 different types...the 300Mbps Wireless N Mini Adapter (N1559); 300Mbps Wireless N Mini Adapter with Antenna and the 3rd is a Wireless N 2 x 5dBi External Antennas (which actually reminds me of the ALFA wireless adapter that I am using now). Which of these would you recommend?

Thanks Again!
Lisa

 

Have you considered powerline adapters, with or without wifi? Quite a large house here and they have completely solved all my connection issues. No long trailing cables here

 

I have used the first 2. Go with whichever device suits your tastes. Or go with the least expensive. I have been pleasantly surprised and extremely pleased with the Bolse products. I don't think it matters...

If this is your device:
http://www.amazon.com/Alfa-AWUSO36NH-Wireless-Long-Rang-Network/dp/B0035APGP6

you may finally catch a lucky break. It says it supports Linux since the 2.4.x kernel. That was awhile ago, so perhaps it's in the kernel by default now?!

 

I would like to know more about this Earthling! I've got a fairly large money pit myself, complete with slow spots and dead zones. Tell me more about your system please. And do you have any linux machines running on your network? Any special considerations? Pros and cons? Anything you would've done differently now that you've already done it? Please advise!

All I know is that when looking into repeaters, versus stronger broadcast signals, versus cabling, I learned that powerline adaptors existed. But since I couldn't find anyone that I know who has used them, I didn't want to be a guinea pig.

 

I ordered a Unbuntu CD and installed it in my tiny Compaq PC. I'm disappointed with the results and hope I can get my hands now on a operating system Microsoft still supports. If not, I'm just looking around for an antivirus that will support XP.

 

Antivirus isn't enough to keep you safe. If it was, our malware forum would be barren, instead of the most active forum.

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=284995

If the UI of Ubuntu turned you off, you can change it to something more Windows-like.

http://www.webupd8.org/2013/11/cinnamon-20-no-longer-breaks-unity-in.html

 

Good advice Adrynalyne, especially regarding interface. On the other hand, IMO, Ubuntu is generally not a good candidate for WinXP era computers. Just my opinion, but I think Ubuntu with the default configuration Unity desktop needs a dual-core processor running at 2.0Ghz+, with about 4GB RAM. Anything less than that, and Ubuntu/Unity will be sluggish on ylour system.

I've installed Ubuntu on single core systems and it wasn't enjoyable; Ive' installed Ubuntu on lower-specced dual core netbooks with similarly disappointing results. And I LOVE Ubuntu. But it isn't for those machines.

We've discussed several alternative distros based on Ubuntu, but with much lower system requirements. These systems will run much better on those lower-specced WinXP era machines, and none have the "strange-looking" Unity interface.

Cinnamon desktop is a good choice for Windows users if their criteria includes "familiar looking."

 

It really could not be easier to set up, plug 'n play in action. Plodr has described the physical setup so nothing much to add there other than that I use three different mains circuits with no apparent effect on performance at all. I also use the original 85mbps standard devices but performance is at least equal to wifi N though inferior to Ethernet, but the latest units operate at 500mbps. These speeds are not achieved in practice of course but I can watch internet TV without any issues at all. I don't think using Linux would be at all significant as the connection is perceived as a normal Ethernet connection and does not require any software or drivers in order to run. The only software mine have is for monitoring speeds between router and adapters.

I haven't tried/don't have any requirement for wifi enabled units so unable to comment on those but the adapters do need a dedicated power socket - you shouldn't plug them into mains adapters - so wifi could be useful in certain situations. Adapters are also available with more than one ethernet port.

This is a UK site but gives much useful info

http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/test-centre/network-wifi/3490638/5-best-powerline-adapters-2014/

 

Thanks Earthling & Plodr! Now that the 2 of you have confirmed that an electrical engineering degree isn't required for this, I think I'll have to seriously look into it. Especially if the speed is somewhere between wireless N and ethernet. I can certainly live with that throughput!

I'll need to figure out how to resolve an issue with the modem & router (2 separate hardwares, connected via ethernet) and an outlet. Outlets are at a premium in my home office, with multiple surge strips/adaptors to power everything in it. But with Earthlings comment regarding throughput speed, perhaps I can relocate the modem & router to a different spot in the house with a more central location and signal distribution, which will solve some of my issues, and electrical wifi adaptors in any remaining deadspots?!

I've got some more research and learning to do, but thanks for the background and showing me the way!

 

That is exactly the one that I have connected to the pc right now. I had been having issues with the wireless adapter that was recommended to go with the Linksys router (kept losing the connection all the time) so I got this one (exact same pic - but a higher powered antenna also came with it) and it works much better.


Data Banks - I am currently using Avast Free for my anti-virus on both the Vista and XP machines and so far it is still supporting the XP Professional machine. My biggest issue was that there are a variety of different comments as to how long the other companies will continue to protect the XP machines after MS stops the support which is why I decided to look into linux (not just an issue of the anti-virus but also malware and spyware).
Have you tried the Slacko Puppy or Peppermint distros. Both of those are working well on my Dell (but I am guessing that you may have to try different ones until you find the version that works best for your computer) The Linux Slacko Puppy 5.7 will work on pc's that just have 512MB of RAM in them if that is of any help. You need to find a distro of Linux that will work with what you have in that computer.



I've never heard of powerline adapters. Might have to look into that if the wireless adapter won't work to get me set up. I know that I have been able to get my internet connection with both Slacko Puppy and Peppermint - (just running it off the cd right now till I decide which one I like better). Can't recall if I have checked out the Cinnamon distro yet as Heldon James suggested a few posts down. Have to go and see which CD's I have already burned and tested. Yet another distro to check out!

Well off to look into that powerline adapter stuff.

Thanks Again!

 

Finally had a chance to start looking into this Powerline Adapter stuff. I do have a question.... I was looking at the one that plodr had purchased and I noticed that there are options for av500 10/100; av500 10/100 wireless (thinking that maybe this is the one that also has wireless functionality) and there is also the pass through and non-pass through types. Would anyone know what the differences are? I also have a wireless printer that is connected to the laptop and Dell (with the wireless connection) if that makes any difference.

Thanks!

 

Take a look at the link I posted in #78

 

I did find that information regarding the pass - through option after I posted the question. (sorry about that)

 

I did more research on those Powerline Adapters and none of that really matters (for me) since we have 2 fuse boxes in the garage and the one that the garage outlets are in (which is where the modem and router are also located) are in the one fuse box and the bedroom where the computer is located is in the other fuse box so they most definitely are not even on the same circuit. The reason for the 2 fuse boxes is because we tend to lose power (living in the middle of nowhere) so when we had the house built we told them that we wanted it set up so that if there were long power outages we could flip on a generator and have it run the well pump, heat as well as the fridge and freezer (along with a few other items) - so that we would at least have power to the well pump and those needed items - and it most definitely has come in handy a few times.

So I guess that option isn't one that will work for me. Oh Well, thanks for the suggestion.

I did think about the implications of the wireless and I too would want to keep it as secure as possible as well.

Thanks Again!

 

Wireless security requires nothing more than a strong password.

 

So is that cryptic one word post saying that it simply isn't safe to use a wireless network in your home? I think that might come as a bit of a shock to several tens of millions who have been doing so for years! :confused

 

I'm back to a question regarding the Linux Distros. I was looking into checking out that Cinnamon Version that was mentioned a few posts back. I have been downloading it since yesterday afternoon and after each download I am using the MD5Sum to check the download with the MD5 on the Linux mint Cinnamon site (http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=143) each time I do it they are not matching. I have tried each and every link for North America (haven't tried the mirror site yet or the torrent link). I don't get it.

At first I thought that I must be doing something wrong so I tried downloading and checking the Mate version and that md5 matched. So it isn't that I am doing something incorrectly when trying to download the cinnamon version.

I have never used a torrent link or even know how to do that so I haven't even considered that link

Any ideas or suggestions???

Thanks!

 

I finally got a download that had the md5 match with the download itself - Thanks!