7 replies to this topic

[SMEE]

My sons Windows 7 laptop suffered a monumental crash at the weekend. I wasnt sure if it was a Virus, Hardware failure or software crash, all i knew was that the laptop was to all intents and purposes unuseable!

Sadly, when he got the latop at xmas, no system restore discs were made which didnt make life easy.

So...after about 12 hours of trying everything under the sun...i opted to try and install Ubuntu OS. So...it all went well (suprisingly) and after a few hickups, all is running well. Its going to take a bit of getting used to.

Anyhoo, i was wondering a few things. firstly......

Can Ubuntu run Windows based programs or do i need to find Linux alternatives?

I believe i dont really need anti virus software on Ubuntu?

Are there any good/useful programs/apps that i should download for him

Are there any programs i should really install, to make life easier

[Scotty]

I used Ubuntu a few years ago on a test machine .... didnt really get into Linux (didnt have time to spare) but these links may help.

• Can Ubuntu run Windows based programs or do i need to find Linux alternatives?
  
  • Yes and no. WINE is an emulator that will allow you to run many windows applications but there are also linux alternatives for many that will save you the hassle. see links below
• I believe i dont really need anti virus software on Ubuntu?
  
  • Theoretically that is true. Virii on linux machines are rare but not impossible. The ubuntu people do recommend a virus checker, especially if you are going to be sending/receiving files in any way shape or form.
• Are there any good/useful programs/apps that i should download for him
  
  • See links below for a starting point.
• Are there any programs i should really install, to make life easier
  
  • again, see links below for a good starting point.

https://help.ubuntu....ntu/FromWindows
https://help.ubuntu....unity/Antivirus
https://help.ubuntu....quivalents.html
http://www.howtoforg...linux-pro-7.1.0
http://www.buttersco...grams-On-Ubuntu
http://wiki.winehq.org/

[SMEE]

Thanx for that Scotty :)

[kiltarlity]

There is usually a hidden hard disc partition with a back up of the windows operating system on it. One usually activates a bult in system recovery mode from the bios or by pressing a combo of keys on startup. The laptops manufactures web site should show you how. I just hope you didnt inadvertantly wipe it installing Ubuntu..

[SMEE]

Do you know this...i dont think i have ever owned a computer which has the system restore in the BIOS....well...not that i ever saw...although a few people did suggest trying it. I was thinking of getting in touch with PC World, from where the laptop was bought...to see if they could rattle up some restore discs, perhaps by using a display model. I dont think thats much to ask considering myself and the ex have spent many thousands of pounds in their store over the years.

My son seems real happy with life under Ubuntu, as all he really uses his laptop for at the mo is surfing the net (which....is LIGHTNING quick under google chrome on Ubuntu). Plus...he only got his laptop at xmas, so its not like he is a life long user of Windows.
I actually think Ubuntu is really cool and i may end up using it myself.

If he decides he wants to go back to windows 7, my mate has a copy of it, which can be installed on up to 7 machines, so he would let me install it on Lewis's laptop. BUT...i think hes happy with Ubuntu

[CaleyD]

You shouldn't need to worry about using up one of your mates licenses....just because you have lost the OS does not mean you no longer have a license to re-install it from another disk.

All the numbers needed to activate it should be on a label on the laptop...if not obvious try removing the battery, some companies put them in there to stop them getting worn/falling off.

[SMEE]

Yeah....he does have the licence Number on the bottom of his laptop. But i thought that Windows 7 being installed,would have to be the same edition as the licence is for in order to use that licence number....if that makes sense?

[Alex MacLeod]

SMEE, on 15 February 2012 - 12:03 PM, said:

Yeah....he does have the licence Number on the bottom of his laptop. But i thought that Windows 7 being installed,would have to be the same edition as the licence is for in order to use that licence number....if that makes sense?

Not the case SMEE. In fact you could download from Microsoft and use the licence you have. I'm surprised that 7 would be wiped from your machine though. It should sit in a partition that is accessed from the bios and be protected. Whatever caused the crash I'd think it very unlikely that the OS would disappear. I'd be more inclined to think that somewhere along the way the machine is being asked to look in the wrong place for the OS.