Want to impress your Windows friends with PCLinuxOS?

[Tony]

unfortunately linux411 has disappeared.

Thanks for your replies guys.
djohnston:

This program is used to create DOS/MS-compatible boot records. It is able to do the same as Microsoft "fdisk /mbr" to a hard disk. It is also able to do the same as DOS "sys" to a floppy or FAT32 partition except that it does not copy any system files, only the boot record is written.

1.)Notice the absence of NTFS. I'd be interested in knowing if it does work on an NTFS partition. 2.)Do you have the XP license key for the copy that was originally installed?

Thanks for that info djohnston, much appreciated.
1.)Yeah, abscence of NTFS.
2.)Yes, XP license key is a sticker on the Box.

As I asked linux411 above I think that (his) method may be for a OEM preinstalled System, which hide the Windows Installation files on a partition, and supply you with a 'Recovery Disk', not a XP Installation Disk.
I think what linux411 is saying is you could restore missing files from this partition, instead of using the manufacturers 'Recovery Disk', which wipes your HDD, and Reinstalls XP.
linux411:

Let's say you get a call from one of your friends. They say they can't boot into their Windows computer. You ask about the "System Restore Disk". They say their computer didn't come with one but the installer is on the hard drive.

Mum doesn't have any discs it seems. I looked at Microsoft help to see if my thoughts were correct.
You can Install using another WinXP disc as long as it's the same type as the original install.
So I have a Windows XP SP2 Disc, Home edition. I'm pretty sure hers' is Home edition too.

If it's a OEM preinstall the Windows License is an OEM license (ie. the computer was purchased from a company like Dell, HP, etc with Windows pre-installed), then the license is tied to the machine.

I reckon I'll use a PCLinuxOS Live CD to Format (Zero) the drive, and use my XP Disc to install XP; then Activate with the sticker on her box. Until I get there it's all a bit of a Mystery 

"She has terrible arthritis but was able to find a mouse for such probs. No way can she 'Double Click'."

could she be candidate to use a touch screen or a tablet?  might be simpler for her than use a mouse?

Yeah T6, a touch screen or a tablet would be best for sure. But would she part with the money 
We got her a special flat easy to use Arthritic mouse, actually my sister did. She seems happy with that.

I'm in hiding at the moment, but Techs charge $100 / hour here, so ... what is a Educated Son for if he can't help his Mother   

[djohnston]

Mum doesn't have any discs it seems. I looked at Microsoft help to see if my thoughts were correct.
You can Install using another WinXP disc as long as it's the same type as the original install.
So I have a Windows XP SP2 Disc, Home edition. I'm pretty sure hers' is Home edition too.

If it's a OEM preinstall the Windows License is an OEM license (ie. the computer was purchased from a company like Dell, HP, etc with Windows pre-installed), then the license is tied to the machine.

I reckon I'll use a PCLinuxOS Live CD to Format (Zero) the drive, and use my XP Disc to install XP; then Activate with the sticker on her box. Until I get there it's all a bit of a Mystery 

Exactly what I was thinking. If you had a retail disc, it would be a no-brainer, as long as you have her key. With an OEM disc, there's always the chance the installer will balk if it's not the same "brand" as the installer disc. I've sometimes been able to trick a Dell OEM SP2 install disc to install on a non-Dell machine, but not always.

[Crow]

   I never had such a luck, and I tried

[T6]

"If it's a OEM preinstall the Windows License is an OEM license (ie. the computer was purchased from a company like Dell, HP, etc with Windows pre-installed), then the license is tied to the machine"

win xp oem home is tied to the serial number of the mainboard, no matter the manufacturer

my mainboard is a msi, once i activated it 6 years ago the key is tied to the mainboard, this is the way they handle oem licenses for everyone afik

most times if the serial key is xp sp2 and you use a sp3 install disc will work but i had a couple of old sp2 licenses that refused to work with a sp3 disc so if you can have both at hand, that will save you time if the license is problematic

[sammy2fish]

you are expensive!

Supply & demand.  That is what it boils down to...

[YouCanToo]

"...Well, there isn't enough money to make me want to fix their stuff for them. I am not going to keep enabling the cycle by fixing their machines for them."

I'm in a sticky situation; my 80 year old Mother has had her Win XP System hacked and trashed. My Sister gave mum the Computer, P4 - XP installed, but left me to set it up. No one could figure the WiFi settings from Modem; to Computer in another room; even my ISP were befuddled, but we got it sorted. Some encryption problem with the Old WinXP wifi settings.
Anyway, I've spent days getting her online about six months ago, and she has learnt to enjoy looking online for Gardening tips, etc.   To teach how to open Email took five hours  
She has terrible arthritis but was able to find a mouse for such probs. No way can she 'Double Click'.

My preference would be to install a nice little Linux Distro, something a six year old would start off with.
All she needs is a Browser, and a Email client.

*I've heard of this scam before, but it really is quite different when it happens to your Mother.  
Indian guy rings (No offence implied to any Indians), "Give me the details of your Credit Card, or we will remove all programmes from your Computer."
Of course Mum didn't give out the Credit Card info, and the Hacker has made her WinXP Comp unbootable.
Guess who's been enlisted to get her back online...  
There are a lot of options for me to consider, I wont bore you all. Sure I have already, plain yawn-inducing.

At this time a Linux installation is a 95% very unlikely situation.
 
How to convince someone to use Linux ?

Make the system a dual boot with the default to Linux. If she is using only email and internet as you posted, then there should be no problems with her using Linux, and you know she might just like it.  Never know till you at least give it a try.

 Darn families. My Sister doesn't know if there's a 'Recovery Disk' or Boot Disk, lying around, can work without 'em, but easier with them obviously ...

Yeah, way too much information, sorry, Sunday afternoon reflections.

[YouCanToo]

My friends are smart enough to not use Windows in the first place  As for the rest of them. Well, there isn't enough money to make me want to fix their stuff for them. I am not going to keep enabling the cycle by fixing their machines for them.

THAT is where we differ.

I have no problem making money from saps that love windows.  I charge 80.00 bucks to save data, format, install windows, add optional programs.  Installing hardware & drivers is extra.

I figure that if they are so numb in the brain, I should be able to make 3/4 of what the techs at the computer stores make...no?

To each there own. I just will no longer be a part of the MS rat race. To me it is the same as enabling a drug user. I took a stand and will not cross it, money or not!

[T6]

ok, mr. rat race, you can send all those customers to us, we went their money 

[YouCanToo]

ok, mr. rat race, you can send all those customers to us, we went their money 

Hey you can have them all. I have set a standard and will not cross it.  Good luck on getting all their money, they have plenty to share with you, they are of course using Windows.

[Just17]

Abraxas,
               LXDE on that machine.

Set up a few icons that are needed .......  firefox - even rename the launcher as Internet if you see fit.

Set up the email accounts .....  and if using off line set up Thunderbird.

Last PC I set up ......  only the browser is ever user ......

Email on line .....  and obvious storage place for saved stuff from on line ......  recipes and other info .... and a launcher to get there.

Ended up being a real simple layout .....  no confusion .....  and all that was needed presented on the desktop ....

I would suggest you do it as an 'interim measure', with a promise to change it to XP 'when' you get the right disk for the install.

I believe you may never have to do that XP install ..... 

[Tony]

Abraxas,
               LXDE on that machine.

Set up a few icons that are needed .......  firefox - even rename the launcher as Internet if you see fit.

Set up the email accounts .....  and if using off line set up Thunderbird.

Last PC I set up ......  only the browser is ever user ......

Email on line .....  and obvious storage place for saved stuff from on line ......  recipes and other info .... and a launcher to get there.

Ended up being a real simple layout .....  no confusion .....  and all that was needed presented on the desktop ....

I would suggest you do it as an 'interim measure', with a promise to change it to XP 'when' you get the right disk for the install.

I believe you may never have to do that XP install .....  

Thanks Just18, and all. I've discussed it with the 'Ol Girl' this afternoon, and I'd love to install a PCLinuxOS DE, but it didn't go down too well. I hate people (my Sister) who don't put their installation discs in a safe place, but seems the norm.
If I did as you say she wouldn't know the difference actually I like your thinking on this matter, ...  
Heck, I thought I was in the 'Sandbox', oops. i'm doing the deed next monday, once my son is back at school, and I'm cured of this darn sinus infection.

Thanks all for your useful comments !

[Just17]

If I did as you say she wouldn't know the difference actually

In fact she would think it much easier to use ......  an improved 'Windows' 

Not telling people the technical details of what you are doing is a good start .....  if they cannot do it themselves then the tech stuff only serves to scare them.

[aguila]

Abraxas,
               LXDE on that machine.

Set up a few icons that are needed .......  firefox - even rename the launcher as Internet if you see fit.

Set up the email accounts .....  and if using off line set up Thunderbird.

Last PC I set up ......  only the browser is ever user ......

Email on line .....  and obvious storage place for saved stuff from on line ......  recipes and other info .... and a launcher to get there.

Ended up being a real simple layout .....  no confusion .....  and all that was needed presented on the desktop ....

I would suggest you do it as an 'interim measure', with a promise to change it to XP 'when' you get the right disk for the install.

I believe you may never have to do that XP install ..... 

+1 on that

I set up a box for my parents, PCLOS MiniMe KDE with autologin.

Thunderbird and Firefox on autostart, with Firefox opening the most used websites when starting.

In Firefox, everything strictly opens in the same window, using Tab Mix Plus. Xmarks saves the bookmarks, bokkmarks are on the panel, in clearly named folders if there are many.

Regarding double-click, Linux is perfect. if not set by default, set "one click to open" and most problems are solved. In the rare cases you need double click, right mouse button will reveal an option to open with a single click.

One more idea: instead of heaving to click to change the focus to a different program you could let the different porgrams open in different virtual desktops and set the window effects to change the desktop when moving to mouse to the side of the window.

To reduce confusion, I always open windows maximized.

And one very important thing: my parents don't even know the root password. I will make updates when I'm there. In case I cannot come on short notice to help, there's Teamviewer. Click one button, tell me the password, and I can help.

But that's me, your situation might be completely different.

Did you try a live CD on that box yet?

[Tony]

Did you try a live CD on that box yet?

Gotta say some great ideas. 
No I won't be down to my Mother's till the 16th. She lives 200 KM's from me...

[aguila]

Some isos back, I read about automatic updates.

On a machine with virtually nothing on, this might be a good idea. And when kde-config strikes you can fix it with Teamviewer.

Unfortunately I don't know where to enable automatic updates.

BTW, put PCLOS on your sisters box also, so can do the updates for your mother if you can't go there every month.

Which you should, because she's old and will always be happy to see you Oh, Skype might be a nice to have for her if her grand children are so far away. But we might start that discussion on another thread