"What to do with an old pc?"
Aging computers are problematic
when they still work. An older one can
remain useful, however if the operating system and antivirus software cannot be
updated, which is a serious problem using systems past their prime, there will
be huge problems. It is not a matter of
if; it is a matter of when.
One very serious pressing obstacle
confronting Windows XP users is that Microsoft no longer supports this
operating system. Updates and security
fixes have ceased. This renders XP particularly
dangerous.
Depending on the age and specs of
some machines, current XP users can potentially upgrade to Windows 7, perhaps
even Windows 8.1, without too much difficulty
But, for rapidly aging processors, limited memory and no real hardware
upgrade options, migrating to a new these operating systems simply is not possible.
So what is one to do with a working
pc that cannot run Xp or upgrade? The
answer is surprisingly simple, free but not without some possible
complications.
The Windows XP dilemma became mine
when I opened up my old, but still perfectly functional, laptop. My system, a Gateway configured with a 1.5
GHz Intel Celeron Processor and 512 MB of Ram with a 60 GB hard drive, was
never a powerhouse. When various
upgrades to Windows XP arrived, the system slowed appreciable. Before obsolesces rendered it impractical, I
had moved my mobile computing elsewhere.
What compelled me to look at this
old system was a “What If” scenario.
Should my current notebook slash laptop fail, could this old system be a
backup?
As I was considering what to do, I
started to think about what other people might do in similar situations. Simply buying a new laptop is not always an
option for some users. For others the
idea of buying something new when something old still works feels wasteful. I also wondered about use and function. Some end users do not need complex expensive
new software to do what they need to do.
Like most users, I live in the Windows
world with occasional encounters with Apple computers. As the dominant players in the computer
world, nearly everyone online is familiar with one or the other or both.
Parallel to the world of
smartphones, a world dominated by Android and iOS and then populated by other
lesser known and less popular operating systems, the computer world looks similar.
There are the two giants and a number of other lesser known operating
systems.
The one standout alternative to
Microsoft and Apple’s offerings would be Linux. A favorite among technophiles
and those seeking something different, Linux is an open source operating system
that has built up a sizable following.
One salient feature of Linux is
that it comes in numerous “flavors.”
What this means is that there are various iterations available that
differ in size, appearance, system requirements, features and included
applications. What the open nature of
Linux has done is that it has created a sizable presence of support resources
that provides choices.
I had never “dived” into Linux
until I decided to venture into this new world when it seemed like Linux could
be a solution to my problem of what to do with an old computer.
What began as a simple exploration morphed
into a full blown Saturday afternoon and evening project. One quickly learns that Linux comes in an
almost overwhelming number of variations.
Some are bundled as entire suites filled with individual applications
along with the OS. Other versions are
stripped down to the most basic elements without frills.
My online exploration of Linux
revealed so many options that I was not sure which version would work with my
system. Searches online and reading
reviews from industry online publications, I discovered one Linux version that
would appear to be the right solution for me.
LXLE, an acronym for Lubuntu eXtraLife Extension is a version of
Linux designed specifically for older systems.
Another feature of the program is that it was conceived as a “drop and
go” release. Nearly everything your
average user would need would be included so that end users would not be placed
in the position of having to hunt for useful software.
As it turned out LXLE 14.04 was
what I was seeking.
One very important lesson I
absorbed early on was finding a site rich with support information and easy access
to it. It also helps to know the
philosophical foundation for your release of Linux. Each one seems to have its own direction, and
that can make the selection process a bit easier.
Transforming a Windows XP computer
into a Linux machine is not as simple as it may appear. The installation was not without issue. In
between my struggles with installing LXLE, I tried another version of
Linux. It was less than satisfactory. The screen resolution was poor. On the plus
side, this was a small install at about 500 MB. Unfortunately, the road to
Linux can be a bumpy ride.
Driver compatibility is a huge problem with
Linux. The vast array of drivers
available to windows simply does not exist in the Linux world for a variety of
reasons. Some may have to deal with
rights and proprietary intellectual property, whatever the reason, there is
hope in online resources. There are literally slews of support sites that can
help with finding solutions to driver issues.
Overcoming the installation hurdle,
I ran into an issue with a disappearing task bar. Nothing I did returned it. After some stumbling and head scratching, I
figured out I could delete a profile, create a new one and the menus returned.
As I was reading about Linux, one
of the problem areas that arrives with the program are problems pertaining to
smooth functioning. The rocky hardy
qualities of Windows and the Mac realm are not there with Linux, at least not
with my limited experiences. This is not to imply that Linux is so unreliable
as to be impractical. That is not the
case. But, it is something to keep in mind that you may run into potential
problems that may arise that require some effort to solve.
Encountering problems with an Os is
not unique to Linux. To be fair, any
number of things can make computing difficult.
But Linux is not without special problems. There could very well be instances where you
need to hunt for solutions and do some leg work.
One thing to keep in mind with
Linux is what it is. Composed of extensive labor, time and pure effort, Linux
is built on noble ideals. What it is
ultimately is an OS that is accessible, relatively easy to install and offers
up a slew of options.
With all of that said, Linux may
not be for everyone.
If your computing depends on
business solutions, specific graphic design needs, high end professional video
editing, or very specific mainstream titles, Linux is probably not for you as a
primary operating system. Linux
requires titles designed to work with it, and as far as I know there is no
emulation software that allows you to run windows programs in Linux.
Microsoft and Apple share some
common ground. Since most of us are
familiar with their respective conventions, getting used to these systems is
not too jarring for most people. Even
if you are familiar with both, Linux is an entirely different kind of animal.
For me the most frustrating part
was finding where everything is located.
It does take time finding out where the inner workings are and locating
settings. Be prepared to be a bit
potentially disoriented with Linux.
Again, taking advantage of the help systems and being prepared for some
time to research solutions and problem solving.
At this point in its development, I
seriously doubt if Linux is in a
position to be competition to mainstream operating systems. Linux for most end users can be seen as a
cost cutting alternative to other operating systems, a technological long term
project or a way to provide extended life to old equipment.
For Windows XP users hesitant to
divest themselves of their computers, Linux is one avenue that will add
extended life to a system, even one that
has some very low end specs. One thing
to keep in mind is that there are some compromises that need to be made.
If you are willing to make adjustments, this
is a good solution. However, do make
sure you have plenty of time set aside to locate the right distribution of
Linux and deal with some potential issues during installation.
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