Techies, Please Help.

[BiggieB]

I've played around with Linux before. I was only a newbie before, but found it fun as a hobbie. Once I got into it some, I preferred it for my everyday comp use, though if you're a gamer then you really need a Windows option. Unfortunately my new comp (well, year and a half now, but still new to me) doesn't play nicely with Linux. Actually doesn't play at all without removing memory or suffering through dreadful VGA graphics. I don't understand why, so I won't try to explain, but it's a no go with this computer as far as I'm concerned. However, my next purchase will come after researching and KNOWING (as opposed to HOPING) that my comp is Linux compatible. If you have time to learn Linux on the side, I think you will learn to like it as I did. By the way, you don't have to have a separate HD, you can partition one HD to have separate sections for Windows and Linux with a menu that appears a few seconds after a cold boot.

By the way, in the past I have regularly reinstalled Windows after about 6 mos mostly because I install too much temporary stuff that slows my system down and I'm too lazy to maintain it regularly, but I think it takes care of MOST software issues, some particularly malicious viruses excluded. I'm way overdue at the moment, but starting to have lockup issues so I'll probably wipe the slate clean in the next week or two. I just hope mine isn't hardware related. . .

[lxskllr]

By the way, you don't have to have a separate HD, you can partition one HD to have separate sections for Windows and Linux with a menu that appears a few seconds after a cold boot.

You can, but I've become fond of the idea of keeping both systems completely separate, each with their own bootloader. That way they're completely independent, and will work without the presence of the other system. It's a bit more of a PITA selecting a boot device, but if you only do it on occasion, it isn't terrible. That setup is better(imo) when you spend the majority of your time in 1 O/S. If you use them closer to 50/50, it's probably better to use 1 bootloader.

[BiggieB]

I agree, and I have yet to have a system with two separate HDs but you can bet your arse my next system will have them. Hell, if the Linux community can figure out how to get me full functionality out of my current machine I'll gladly add another HD to my system. Unfortunately I'm on a lappy full time now, and I can't easily configure my system to fit Linux. Hell, I tried to turn this system full Linux, but it won't take any part of it, other than VGA graphics, or, as I've been told, removing memory. I paid for that memory, so I won't do it.

As far as getting started on Linux, if you have available HD space and only one HD, I think that a partition is perfect for test driving Linux. That's how I did it, and as I mentioned, you'll want to have free time to try it out, and I did so as a hobbie, but I grew to love it. I wouldn't recommend buying a second HD to try Linux if you don't already have a second HD. Yes you can try the on-disc bootup version, but it doesn't have the same functionality.

Damn I miss my Linux

[lxskllr]

Ubuntu has the wubi install method now. That sets up a kind of fake dual boot system, but the install's virtualized in Windows. You can install/uninstall it through add/remove programs, and it doesn't touch your Windows partition. It uses a virtualized disk with a size that you allow. It isn't quite as fast as a real install, but it's much faster than running off the CD. You just pick which O/S you want at bootup, and you're in. That's a good way to play with it without risk, or any real work.

[BiggieB]

Ubuntu has the wubi install method now. That sets up a kind of fake dual boot system, but the install's virtualized in Windows. You can install/uninstall it through add/remove programs, and it doesn't touch your Windows partition. It uses a virtualized disk with a size that you allow. It isn't quite as fast as a real install, but it's much faster than running off the CD. You just pick which O/S you want at bootup, and you're in. That's a good way to play with it without risk, or any real work.

As I mentioned, I've been out of the Linux scene for awhile, but yeah, this sounds great for a trial, cause frankly, the CD trials are terrible. I want to ask more about it, but I can just not be lazy and do the research myself, and besides, it doesn't apply to me at the moment. As much as I like Linux, it's very dependent on your hardware. May work great for you, may work good with a few headaches, may not work at all. I bought a lappy that puts me in the latter category, and I'm actually looking forward to it going bellyup so I can justify a new one!

[tom502]

Internet sucks, and it's the greatest thing all in one. I have some pesky malware crap where a new window of some crap just opens up now and again. I installed and ran Ad-Aware, and replaced my Avast anti-virus with AVG, and did full scans with both, it did catch a few items(both did), but I'm still getting those unwated pages opening up. It's not ruining anything, just a pain in the arse when it happens. Maybe a future update to my scanners will catch it someday. I also use and run Spybot Search & Destroy. It may sound weird, because I love the access of info and entertainment and forums and such, but I think life was better before the internet.

[lxskllr]

Some of that may be the specific site you use. There's some sites that'll throw up a new browser window when you try to access the content. I don't know how they get around the popup blocker when they do that. Point is, it might not be an infection at all. MalwareBytes is one of the best scanners. The free product doesn't have real time protection, but you can scan/remove with it. Give that a try if you suspect issues.

[deadohsky]

As i've started to get back into PC gaming i've realized that my current CPU isn't up to snuff (AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 4200+). I want to upgrade it and and the motherboard as well. My main question is, does anyone have any experience with six-core CPUs? At this point is there any advantage as opposed to a quad-cores? I don't plan on doing any video editing or anything like that, the upgrades are mostly for gaming.

[precious007]

The pop-up blocker should be good enough. -
I'm not sure why you're still gettinh pop-ups ...

[deadohsky]

The pop-up blocker should be good enough. -
I'm not sure why you're still gettinh pop-ups ...

Wrong thread maybe? I haven't had pop-ups or ads for years lol.

[GoVegan]

Wrong thread maybe? I haven't had pop-ups or ads for years lol.

Try Chrome - no problems with pop ups since I have used it.

[precious007]

oh sorry

I have responded to what tom has said on this page of the thread...

:^)

[deadohsky]

oh sorry

I have responded to what tom has said on this page of the thread...

:^)

No worries lol. I didn't re-read the thread before posting. Just didn't feel like starting a new topic on computer questions.

[lxskllr]

Nah, 6 cores won't get you anything more than 4 will.

[sirloot]

infact 1-2 cores are still just fine for gaming .. the SSD drives the Ram and the Video card are really what makes the difference these days