*A:M User* Roger Posted January 3, 2013 *A:M User* Share Posted January 3, 2013 I set up box for my parents with Mint Linux on it. Problem is, Linux recognizes the HD just fine, but for some reason Windows doesn't see it when it is doing the install routine. I think what is happening is that it is a SATA drive, and maybe the old copy of Windows XP I have doesn't have drivers for SATA drives slipstreamed into the disc, seeing as how it is over ten years old at this point? That is the only thing I can think of. There are no PATA (or any legacy ports, for that matter) interfaces on the motherboard. So, do I get a PATA IDE controller board to use with their old hard disk, and just load the drivers for everything, or do I get them a copy of Windows 7 and hope I can update everything from there? I don't want to spend any more money on this project, since I already spent a good bit of cash upgrading their system for them. I was going to leave Linux on there and install XP in a virtual machine for them, but the version of Linux I'm using is acting flaky, possibly due to lack of native drivers for all the integrated stuff on the motherboard. Would you say my assessment is accurate and I'm going to have to get a legacy adapter for their HD, and possibly also a copy of Windows 7? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hash Fellow robcat2075 Posted January 3, 2013 Hash Fellow Share Posted January 3, 2013 I would think a "parent" machine needs to be as simple as possible to maintain. I'd wipe Linux off the HD and put Win 7 on it. but here's an article on getting WinXp onto a SATA drive... http://jcalcote.wordpress.com/2008/01/05/i...n-a-sata-drive/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*A:M User* Roger Posted January 3, 2013 Author *A:M User* Share Posted January 3, 2013 I would think a "parent" machine needs to be as simple as possible to maintain. I'd wipe Linux off the HD and put Win 7 on it. but here's an article on getting WinXp onto a SATA drive... http://jcalcote.wordpress.com/2008/01/05/i...n-a-sata-drive/ Well, the version I had on there is pretty simple, and considering all they use it for is webmail and surfing, I figured it was worth a shot. At least I would never have to do another damn spyware scan. I'll probably just update them to Win 7, I don't think my dad can handle Win 8, that will just confuse the crap out of him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hash Fellow robcat2075 Posted January 3, 2013 Hash Fellow Share Posted January 3, 2013 If all they need is web and email... Do you need windows at all? Why not Linux? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*A:M User* Roger Posted January 3, 2013 Author *A:M User* Share Posted January 3, 2013 If all they need is web and email... Do you need windows at all? Why not Linux? That's exactly what I said to myself. My dad wants Office, though, so that necessitates having Windows XP/7 or a Win XP virtual machine installed on the Linux box. I really don't think it would be that big a deal. But, my dad is retired and he was never an early adopter, and he is also very resistant to change. So, his "need" for Office kinda screws things up. I say "need" because while he is still doing some consulting on the side, he hasn't had an actual gig in a while. But, he's my dad and I'd rather he be happy with his machine than not. I've been using Linux as my primary web-surfing/general farting around machine, and if it wasn't for AM not digging it I would never look back. So I keep my primary workstation as Win 7 for now. I think I was a little too aggressive with the upgrade, though. Motherboard doesn't have any legacy stuff, I'm using one of the AMD Trinity APUs with the onboard graphics, so that is probably causing the random Linux issues that I have been seeing (lockups, etc). That is why I think it is a driver problem. So rather than spend a bunch of time screwing around with it that I can't bill for, I'll just give him what he wants and kill two birds with one stone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsjustme Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 My dad wants Office, though, so that necessitates having Windows XP/7 or a Win XP virtual machine installed on the Linux box. Libre Office or Open Office wouldn't work for him? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*A:M User* Roger Posted January 3, 2013 Author *A:M User* Share Posted January 3, 2013 My dad wants Office, though, so that necessitates having Windows XP/7 or a Win XP virtual machine installed on the Linux box. Libre Office or Open Office wouldn't work for him? LOL Trust me, I tried Open Office on Win XP for him before, but he bitched because it wasn't MS Office, so I bought him a cheap copy of Office 2007 last time I found it on sale (this was a few years ago). Honestly, for what he does it would work just fine, but the minute he got some file he couldn't open, he would turn his nose up at it. And trying to get someone from his age group to just send him a compatible file format in the first place is next to impossible. So, Windows and Office it is, saves me headaches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hash Fellow robcat2075 Posted January 3, 2013 Hash Fellow Share Posted January 3, 2013 If compatible file formats are a deal, you ought to just put windows on that computer and make that the end of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuchur Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 If compatible file formats are a deal, you ought to just put windows on that computer and make that the end of it. Interesting that there is a fileformat he could not open with open office... in general word is not able to open anything than word and oo can open quite anything.... (with some layout probs maybe.. ) Which linux did u put on? Ubuntu should be a good one for that purpose... anyway i would not have tried that in the first place. Use win7 and it is ok. Much less trouble with ur dad not being able to use it, etc... and if u r ready make a full backup (acronis true image is a good option) and let him play. Make sure to install win7 on one partion and data on another and when ur parents mess something up it will be easy to get back running in 15-30 mins. See u *Fuchur* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pixelplucker Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 I actually prefer the new Open Office over the newest Excell. I spent hours making a pricing calculator for items and Excell descided to change one of the fields with it's most awesomest auto correct features berried behind one of those micro sized triangles along with the rest of the readily used options and made a nice handy date field that I couldn't fix. Redid the calculator in OF in about 10 min... If you do get OF, make sure you don't install any of the malware and tool bars they might stuff into the install. There are so many Linux versions out there and very few acutally support anything without major hassles. Can you run the stuff under Solaris or Ubuntu? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuchur Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 I actually prefer the new Open Office over the newest Excell. I spent hours making a pricing calculator for items and Excell descided to change one of the fields with it's most awesomest auto correct features berried behind one of those micro sized triangles along with the rest of the readily used options and made a nice handy date field that I couldn't fix. Redid the calculator in OF in about 10 min... If you do get OF, make sure you don't install any of the malware and tool bars they might stuff into the install. There are so many Linux versions out there and very few acutally support anything without major hassles. Can you run the stuff under Solaris or Ubuntu? Just use Ubuntu... it is one of the most used, widely spread and very nicely developed. OpenOffice is OpenSource and will not install any Malware... It is open source and developed by the Apache Foundation (these guys have brought the Apache-Webserver to the people... it is today the most widley used webserver of all the once out there...) I am not sure if they really install toolbars today, but last time I checked they did not... anyway it is never a bad idea to have a look at the installer instead of just clicking it through. And make sure you get the official release from the official website... not something someone else provides... they can of course put more on the installer than there should be... See you *Fuchur* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pixelplucker Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 The version I downloaded of OF came from Oracles site, maybe that's why there was all kinds of tool bar install options and other garbage. Did a bunch of cancel options and no thanks to get to the actual installer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*A:M User* Roger Posted January 4, 2013 Author *A:M User* Share Posted January 4, 2013 If compatible file formats are a deal, you ought to just put windows on that computer and make that the end of it. He's getting Windows 7 with Office 2007. I don't feel comfortable putting XP back on his machine, given that they won't be doing any further security updates for it. I don't think they are going to be doing any additional service packs for Win 7, but they should still be doing security updates for a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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