I resurrected my laptop !


Before were hardware problems, then i goofed up when cleaning old linux partitions in the middle of the night, i also deleted that needed to boot Windows.

Apparently a disaster , obviously was no more a OS to boot , yet from there started the resurrection of my laptop, ...still a work in progress but now is much faster and nicer to use.

1 ) backed up (with a Ubuntu live DVD) images document
2) reformatted everything with a clean install of the OS
3) a problem of laptop is not only that a windows OS is pre-installed and so imposed, but that the OS is modified by HP, Dell , Lenovo (just to make same example ) that add a lot of bloatware and crapware

Hard to identify and remove later , after adding more programs it will remain camouflaged between all the other programs , but now is easier , so finally i removed all the HP trash leaving carefully only the drivers.

And that already made a difference
Done that i started to remove the Windows crap :

Why i should have all Office suite always popping up to offer a free 30days trial?
I do NOT want to try it but i want LibreOffice !

And i don't want Norton or Mcaffe antivirus suite not even to try for free.. not even if totally free

And so i deleted any trace of Office ,Mcaffe, Norton,Adobe Reader, Word, Windows Live , Windows Defender, Windows Rootkit reveler and the alike


i didn't unistall but disabled the notepad , the explorer , the image viewer and IE , replaced by better alternatives (notepad++, explorer++, xnview, Firefox )
And i did only using almost only portable versions... no risk of registry changes, forgotten DLLs in the System folder.
so easy to reinstall, reinstall everything with all customization and addon bookmark , etc with ... CTRL-C + CTRL-V

And were endless series of Windows Update , each including restart

Just now i am doing the last step , (last about Windows 7 , tomorrow i will prepare a multiboot with Ubuntu ):
back up as iso, and make the iso bootable .

the progress bar is really slooow now is only about 50% but i am sure a backup of the optimal OS software configuration will reveal a benediction soon or later and even a time saver

back to control the back up now..





And finally i did what i always planned but i never did before, when ever

If you don' t use MS-Office, why do you use Windows?

I went the other way... not having a workable Linux version is a showstopper for an application.

Microsoft has managed to build a monopoly, so that companies choose only make programs for Windows, making users dependent. Also you know, from GNU/Linux will always be at a disadvantage against the argument: "there are more programs for Windows, including the OpenSource". Why is that? Because the idea of OpenSource is to be as open as possible, universal, unlimited, even being able to operate in closed platforms like Windows.

Although in new equipments the Microsoft EFI is a new impediment to doing so, I ask Windows users at least try a dual boot with Linux and use as many OpenSource programs as possible. Testing, programming, repairing and reporting to try to improve Linux. Experienced Windows users always bring great things to Linux and OpenSource.

no showstopper for me i like have both, i am reinstalling ubuntustudio just now, i would miss a lot a linux partition on my computer

And i would never pay for a M$ OS but if is included in the bundle and are no discount to remove it i don't see why to trash it, i believe in recyclying

@Yafu
i see your post only now.
About MS its monopoly is based on a trick : very few human being buy a Microsoft OS

To buy MS are all the Laptop, Netbook manufactures , and official institution, no last schools

Because if you do a computer course , let say computer graphic , they will teach you Microsoft computer graphic, course will be based on PhotoShop and Illustrator , to pass the course you must learn that programs,
(whistles and bells may be added but that is the basic )

Same for less artistic use , to be a bureaucrat you need to know how use MS OFFICE and Excel , then if you know also to use LibreOffice is fine but no too relevant ...in case you would know very well a similar or even better Unix program but show any hesitation or scarce familiarity with the related MS (or Adobe ) program , Word, Office, PS, Illustrator, and what else you will not pass



NO is not, on the contrary makes enter in the boot options and prepare a dual boot much easier.
Only the method is totally changed,( now will be hopeless try to enter in the "bios" hitting the right key when loading, it may happen but is easier win a lottery :
that will work only if you hit the key in the right moment , because the right moment to hit the key last only 200 milliseconds ; before or later will fail) ).

But forget that ,the new method is easier and neat,
maybe the option is't too visible, but is easily accessible at any moment ,
( accessible in many ways :
Easier
1) from the right click menu of Switch OFF

2) from "Search" :
just type "boot" or "booting options" or
...many other word would do the trick (here i mean computer search, not google)

2) From Control Panel ...a bit hidden but there too

I also got lost with EFI at first (i even ask help in the forum ) and i coursed MS and the damn new thing
but that because i didn't know about the change , yet the change is for the better at least for usability
But now is much easier

The other APPARENT problem for install multiboot is that the Windows partition should be resized FROM WINDOWS, then you may install other OS as before ...

Not a problem ... on the contrary once you know makes things easier :

you
1) Defrag well
2) shrink the Windows partition (how ? type "hard disk" in Win "search" text field and see what happens ... )
Do NOW from Windows !! Don't try to do from Linux
3) RIGHT click on Switch off , to change boot option from main hd to dvd or usb-drive
4) insert the DVD or Usb drive with linux , and restart

Pretty easy

NOTE WELL
i am talking of very recent laptop with windows 8 , this does NOT apply to previous version, neither to old computers EVEN IF updated to 8

Glad you have it mostly done now PC

Well i still have to prepare and test a bootable image , set up browser sandboxies and customize the look (i still have the awful MS default themes and login screen. )

And even i still have reinstall gimp and tweak it to my needs ,

But ...yes most is done and i must say that once removed all the crapware added by HP and all the trialware preinstalled by MS and disabled most of the "autostart entries",... 7 and 8 are really performing well

Next the multiboot:

1 ) partition for images and document that can be accessed by all OS .... READY
2) that i am using now for WIN ..................................................... READY
3) Ubuntu...(still testing different flavors )........................................ TO DO
4) A streamlined version of 2 with only the essential to run at best CG programs ,
connectivity sufficient to search, download or upload images
...and almost nothing else ..............................................................TO DO , all tools ready in the surgical room

This the project ...

@PhotoComix, You are a Windows advanced user, but most users are not. I visit forums often about GNU/Linux and I have seen many users who can not install Linux on Windows 8 machines and they do not know why. Even here in GimpChat we had a case. You know the inexperienced user is fearful by nature when it comes to trying new things. While more steps are needed to install Linux (BIOS settings, special partitioned, etc) is more difficult than one user is encouraged to try it, and is better for Microsoft. Before UEFI, the distributions were installed in dual boot almost automatically.
Adding to this natural fear which has an inexperienced user, curiously has been much publicity about a story which informs that installing Linux on UEFI mode in some laptops may destroy your hardware:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2026807/ ... ptops.html
Although Windows too, but this news has not been as publicized:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2027819/ ... s-too.html

Also rumors that if you install another system on computers with Windows 8, you could lose your warranty. More fear.
So, my experience watching the forums is that the EFI makes things more complicated (more steps + fear). Hope I'm wrong and that things are as you say.

You're absolutely right, Yafu. UEFI is an huge impediment to multi-boot, bringing many pitfalls, both actual and potential, to those who would like to boot an operating system other than Windows.

I'm in full support of the position Linus has taken on the matter. I'm also in opposition to Microsoft's bullying of hardware manufacturers, which in my opinion, is a clear effort to control access to the hardware in such a way as to benefit Microsoft. Pay Microsoft $99 to sign binaries with Microsoft's key? I don't think so. It's absurd that we now have to use shim or prebootloader, in order to boot Linux, or some other OS, on a UEFI system. Both of these workarounds are simply capitulations to Microsoft's attempts to control access to the hardware in such a way as to benefit them, not us.

Who knows that the future may bring? Microsoft could easily change their signing procedures to a proprietary model and/or force hardware manufacturers to remove the ability to disable secure boot in the BIOS. Personally, I hope the entire thing blows up in the face of Microsoft and Secure Boot goes the way of the DoDo Bird, along with their flawed and unpopular "Surface" product, as well as their latest disaster of an OS (WIn8).

But hey, that's just me. Some people like Windows and support Microsoft's actions. Who am I to suggest they not continue to do so? Different strokes for different folks, I always say.

Yes, but moving to the new version is relatively easy and doesn't cost you a penny...


Long term support is OK... but it also means all your software is frozen at the date the distro is published. This is OK for servers but unworkable for individuals. I used to run Ubuntu 10.04 LTS until April this year, and the last year was quite frustrating, no recent software would run on it (including Gimp 2.8).

@PhotoComix

It seems that the international version of Ubuntu can boot with UEFI. Here is the link to a facility in French :
http://doc.ubuntu-fr.org/uefi?redirect=1

Can you tell us if you succeeded ?

i told you why because the procedure is changed and many don't know about the change:
But the change in itself makes it easier not more complex.

Sure now the risk to stumble on obsolete information or suggestion is high



I was one case , was Odinbc to point me to the solution:
again i felt lost because used to a certain routine and i didn't know of the changes:
But users that never installed Linux on Windows , can't to be confused by a change in the habitual routine , because they have no any, and if so is easier




I believe the info on that link are not fully updated : it should work with all version and flavours not only the international .

The tricky points

1) Install Windows first
2) DEFRAG
3) USE ONLY WINDOWS TO MODIFY WINDOWS PARTITION, don't use linux partitioning tool !!
Instead Shrink using win disk partition the Win partition.
4) All uefi setting are available from right click menu on Switch OFF
A bit hidden but are all there
so just modify boot order and UEFI setting , stick your DVD pen or DVD



Yes i succeeded ... but i have to redo because i was not too happy with the distro i installed
i wanted try a lighweight Ubuntu , Lubuntu ,but i didn't like much so i wiped

Now i am fixing my old laptop that has 7 preinstalled and a traditional Bios , and let me use gimp without problem

I have to fix the other with 8 and UEFI but i will do later because the incompatibility with gimp (you remember locked preferences in all build i tried , not only yours )
I already did a clean reinstall of 8 but i didn't reinstalled there gimp yet, neither a multiboot
first i want 1 computer in order, then i will finish with the other

PhotoComix

I do not know if it will help but here are the distributions they recommend to install :
http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop
(Ubuntu 13.04 is the latest)

A tutorial in English:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/UEFI

I prefer BIOS supported virtualization acceleration rather then multi-boot. Makes sharing between OSs near seamless and you don't really feel like you get a performance hit either. Just pick your host OS and then create the Client VMs as needed. To each his own.

And samj ninja'ed me. lol

@samj, K1TesseraEna
I've been using some new applications created with CDE (dependencies free) on Lucid:
http://www.pgbovine.net/cde.html
In theory you only need to run the application that you want with "cde" script to create portable application. You can do this from another installation or from a LiveCD. Not the best solution and the resulting size is not so small, but avoids having to compile and install dependencies.
Anyway I want to know:
Are the old programs/drivers for Win XP compatible with Win 8? Are new programs/drivers for Win 8 compatible with Win XP?
What about the old hardware without support? Can someone have Windows 7-8 with any of these cards, for example?:
http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/w ... ng=English

At least in Linux you can use OpenSource drivers for unsupported hardware.

I mean, Windows also has cons right?

@YAFU
There is a utility program to check the compatibility with Windows 8 :
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/wind ... -windows-8