Salvaging an old XP-pro Computer

[Martin Francom]

If you have a old XP-pro computer you want to breath new life into.  You need to check out RoboLinux with XP running in a Oracle VM VirtualBox

     http://www.robolinux.org/videos/

Well, after getting RoboLinux fully installed on my old XP-pro machine. One thing I did notice is that my Windows programs running in the Oracle VM VirtualBox they run many times faster than when they where running on the old XP setup.
I suppose that is because the XP OS and the programs and data are residing in memory. I am not sure how this all works but I know for sure my Windows programs run much much faster than before.

People who want to stretch the life of their old XP computers might want to consider RoboLinux.

I have been very impressed with the features of Debian Linux version that RoboLinux deploys.

[Jim Dunn]

Everyone, I just wanted to point out, that this RoboLinux costs $79...

And, there are MANY other FREE LINUX options for those with old PC's...

Just sayin'...  : )

[Martin Francom]

Jim,
    That may be. But their are no other Linux Disc that can run a fully licensed copy of XP in a VirtualBox with in Linux. This is not a dual boot system this is being able to run XP within Linux.  This is not WINE this is a fully Licensed copy of XP.  (Your licensed copy.)   Unlike WINE, RoboLinux is running real XP in a in a VirtualBox and unlike WINE can run all Windows programs that will run in a standard install of XP.   And as I mentioned above my experience is that programs running in the RoboLinux's  XP VirtualBox runs much much faster. 
     The $79.00 support fee is well worth it.  As a newby to Linux I had a lot of questions and they have been very helpful and spent alot of time helping me. I am quite satisfied with their support and feel I got my money's worth.   If you have questions contact them:
    esales@robolinux.org

[Martin Francom]

For those interested, here's a screen print.

[Rolf Brandt]

Hi Marty,

Jim has a point. You can do this on any other Linux distribution too. All you need to do is download Oracle's VirtualBox (https://www.virtualbox.org/), which is free, and off you go.

It seems though that the RoboLinux people provide the XP binaries for a quick install that saves you installing from disk. You need though a legal license for XP Pro.

Rolf

[Jim Dunn]

Yeah, RoboLinux is just another gimmick linux, like TurboLinux was... and since there are no "linux police" there's no one to stop them.

(you should be able to download any linux without paying, per the open source license, but some don't do it)

If you want to pay for linux, I would steer you toward ZORIN linux... much much nicer... and a real company, not a gimmick.

As for linux, I wouldn't pay for it, I would pick from one of the dozens of distros, just check out screenshots/reviews at http://distrowatch.com/

If you need a server, consider CentOS (I use Debian on my servers).
If you need a desktop, consider Mint, Ubuntu, Fedora... good stuff.

And running a virtual XP, yep, use Oracle's VirtualBox for free!!!  https://www.virtualbox.org/  In fact, most linux distros will let you auto-install VirtualBox with a simple command line entry...

Oh, and I forgot to mention Puppy and Absolute linux... if you find Mint/Ubuntu/Fedora too slow on an old PC...

[Martin Francom]

Thanks, I am a real Linux Newby, your suggestions are appreciated.

[Jim Dunn]

Hey Marty, sorry for the bombardment...  : )

As my nephew says, "it's ok uncle, U NO WE LUB YA, RIGHT?"

[Petrus Vorster]

Take a look at Ubutu Linux.
Some real happy clients with that and its FREE.

[Michael Stefanik]

Jim has some good suggestions there. For desktop use, these days I generally recommend Mint to folks who are new to Linux, or those who aren't fans of the new direction GNOME 3 (the GNOME shell) has taken. If you like being on the bleeding edge, there's Fedora Core. For servers, either Debian or CentOS (which is essentially RedHat Enterprise Linux) primarily because of their longer-term support, rather than the 6 or 12-month cycle you can find on a lot of the more popular distros.

Keep in mind that most Linux distros have active communities where you can ask for help, etc. If you just want to contribute, most have either a way to donate or provide a shop where you can buy things like DVDs or accessories (coffee mugs, t-shirts, etc.) that help them out.

My personal opinion is that RoboLinux is gimmicky, targeting users who aren't really familiar with Linux and trying to hustle them for a buck. Their website claims alone are ridiculous, such as the claim that it makes your PC "100% immune" to viruses and malware (there is such a thing as Linux viruses, they're just not as common). And there's the shill "reviews" that I've seen spammed around that I just find to be obnoxious. Even if it were a spectacularly better distro than any other out there (and it is not), I wouldn't give them money on principal alone.