Linux vs. Windows

Post by **Yossarian** » January 1, 2008, 8:44 pm

My spare notebook computer got infected with the computer virus from hell not too long ago. Because of a manufacturing error, the restore disk that came with my computer doesn't work (the computer thinks it is a different model.)

So, I loaded Ubuntu linux onto my computer and started using it as the main operating system. So far I am very pleased with the results. Despite the fact that I have been trained in using and maintaining linux machines, I found prior linux installations somewhat difficult to maintain on a daily basis. However, Ubuntu seems to be user friendly and involve a minimum amount of maintenance. All of the software is free and I don't worry about viruses, worms, etc. any more (at least not the computer variety.)

Have other people had similar experiences? It makes me wonder

Post by **aznyron** » January 1, 2008, 10:31 pm

yos you answered your own question you solved your problem
I would like to know why your notebook would not accept the recovery disk?
if they gave you the wrong disk I would write the company and get a new one
I also would write any way to find out what happened if the disk is correct
question were you using XP or Vista as for anti virus software there are free ones out there
just look for them on www.cnet.com

Post by **BangkokButcher** » January 2, 2008, 3:59 am

I'm sure the original recovery disc update would be available via the original manufacturers website, if you did want to move back to windows that is, which I doubt....

Post by **rickfarang** » January 2, 2008, 4:29 am

Thank you for the encouraging report. I can appreciate the feeling of being just beyond the grasp of the Evil Empire. I'm running Mac OSX/XP for now, but I am eying Linux for when Windows gets to be too much to handle.

Post by **Yossarian** » January 2, 2008, 1:01 pm

It was kind of a strange problem with my computer and the recovery disk. Apparently, when you run the recovery disk, the disk checks something called a "DMI." I presume this is a code that identifies the computer as a particular model, maybe even a particular machine. Apparently, when Toshiba manufactured my particular notebook, the factory installed DMI was A100-S4004 as opposed to A105-S4004, the recovery disk model number. I took the computer to the Toshiba service center in Bangkok, not an easy undertaking considering its location, where they worked on it for about thirty minutes. They said that they had reset the DMI string and it should be fine. Of course, it wasn't fine. For some reason, Toshiba does not make a DMI reset program available for my particular model, although they do make it available for other models. Unfortunately, the one year warranty had already expired so they did me a favor by not fixing it at Bangkok.

All of this happened because I was using a "free" anti-virus program, Avast!, which turned out to be more expensive than I thought. After this incident, I purchased a good anti-virus and firewall security suite.

I am fairly happy with Ubuntu linux. The installation was quick and it detected and installed all of the appropriate drivers. I do mostly internet surfing and office suite type activities. I would just say that because most of my colleagues use Word, it is a little cumbersome exchanging documents with them as the Open Office suite is a generation or so behind the latest Microsoft programs. Also, there are not quite as many programs available for linux and the programs that are available are not quite as robust as their Windows counterparts. This is not surprising as linux programmers are mainly hobbyists as opposed to paid professionals. For my uses its OK, but I can see that if I were in a production environment involving specialty applications (e.g. graphics) it could get a little frustrating.

Post by **BangkokButcher** » January 2, 2008, 6:25 pm

If you're really desperate, a number of windows applications can be run on Linux, browse this site for more info:

http://frankscorner.org/

Post by **aznyron** » January 2, 2008, 9:30 pm

you can take to any comp shop in udon and have them install XP and your back home again total cost will be less than 500 baht have the partioned the HD so you can use your unbunto OS solves your problem I think

Post by **arjay** » January 2, 2008, 9:44 pm

you can take to any comp shop in udon and have them install a pirate copy of XP and your back home again total cost will be less than 500 baht have the partioned the HD so you can use your unbunto OS solves your problem I think

Until of course you (intentionally or inadvertently) download and install the Windows Genuine Advantage update!!

Post by **Thai_1_On** » January 3, 2008, 6:54 am

arjay wrote:Until of course you (intentionally or inadvertently) download and install the Windows Genuine Advantage update!!

Oh there are ways around that my friend