Repurpose an old desktop

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Repurpose an old desktop

by jlattanzio Apr 29, 2014 11:16AM PDT

I have an old desktop that I'd like to wipe clean, install a newer OS on and use. It would be for internet browsing and word processing mainly.
It's got decent hardware installed but is cluttered up with so much old crap that my daughters had installed that I'd like to wipe it clean and basically start over.
Seeing as how it has XP loaded, and I don't have the disc, I'd like to use some sort of freeware if possible.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm moderately computer literate, so be kind!!
Thanks!

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Thank you, Everyone!

by jlattanzio Apr 29, 2014 12:34PM PDT

Looks like I have all the info I need to get started.
Are there any issues with Linux and software running on it? I see LibreOffice was mentioned, I can download that. Does openoffice work well with it? I already have that and use it.
Another question, if i may, what's the best way to wipe a hard drive?
Thanks again for all the advice.

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Not necessary

by itsdigger Apr 29, 2014 12:41PM PDT

to wipe it clean. When you install Linux you just choose "use the whole disc" and everything will be gone.

Just check the different distro's out. Most have LibreOffice now, some have AbiWord, some have Calligra, but you can install any you want from the repositories.

Have fun

Digger

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Your questions

by wpgwpg Apr 30, 2014 6:52AM PDT

First, Linux Mint comes with LibreOffice already installed (along with Firefox). Regarding wiping a hard drive, it depends on whether it's partitioned. If it's not partitioned, you can just format it. If it's partitioned, you could always format the partitions one by one, then remove them using the Windows administrative tools or a utility. A well know program that will completely wipe a drive is DBAN - Darik's Boot And Nuke.
One thing to be aware of with Linux Mint is that you can boot from the DVD and run it without having to install anything. Once you get comfortable with it, you can install it, but you can run it all you want before you're ready to do that.
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Good luck.

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LibreOffice

by Jimmy Greystone Apr 30, 2014 11:21AM PDT

LiberOffice is basically a fork of OpenOffice, meaning they were once the same program. I won't get into the politics heavy history, so suffice it to say that LibreOffice is like a better OpenOffice than OpenOffice.

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I still have a version 5 of Star Office here somewhere

by James Denison Apr 30, 2014 11:06PM PDT

I remember when they sold out to Sun.

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Old hardware

by richteral May 4, 2014 4:00AM PDT

You did not specify the desktop; it will have a bearing on what Linux distros you can run successfully. E.g., RAM is quite important, and unless you opt for a lightweight system, you will need at least 1 GB there. Anything less = potential trouble. On the bright side, additional memory sticks will not bust your bank account.

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Linux etc.

by pgc3 Apr 30, 2014 1:57AM PDT

This is a really great idea, repurposing a decent older system using the Linux system. I've used Linux, as dual boot, on Win systems for years but using it in lieu of an older OS can give you a fully functional OS with lots of better than basic features. Personally I prefer Libre/Open Office over Win Office for many and most purposes. GREAT IDEA!!!!

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Answer

Your only freeware options

by Jimmy Greystone Apr 29, 2014 11:43AM PDT

Your only freeware options are Linux or the *BSD family, there's no free version of Windows. There are literally thousands, maybe millions, of websites devoted to installing Linux, not to mention every major distribution will have documentation to walk you through it step by step, so there's no real point in repeating that effort here.

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Answer

That's simple

by itsdigger Apr 29, 2014 11:48AM PDT

There's a bunch of free Linux operating systems that will work just great with that old xp computer.

Our friend James prefers Linux Mint here=>
http://www.linuxmint.com/index.php

I prefer SolydK here=>
http://solydxk.com/homeedition/solydk/

Both are great to use and much the same as Windows but FREE
There are a lot of different Linux distros out there , start by burning live disc's and trying them out until you find one that suits your needs.

Digger

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Answer

Rated by popularity

by James Denison Apr 29, 2014 12:06PM PDT

http://distrowatch.com/

See the right side down the page a bit for a rating. Understand though some need or prefer very lightweight versions and others need or prefer a heavier version, there's quite a bit of variability between them. If you go to the distrowatch page on each you can find info about that distro and many links to articles and access for each one. Yes, I like Mint which is #1, but also like Kubuntu which is #30, so you just have to take a look. Plenty of videos on many of the Linux distros on Youtube. Spatry has some good ones there, also Nixie Pixel. I always urge use of VirtualBox for initial trials of software, or installing direct to a removable USB flashdrive. Most can however be run for a trial direct from a DVD, some lighter versions from a CD.

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Answer

Something everyone left out so far.........

by btljooz May 2, 2014 2:00PM PDT

is that you can get personal help with Linux from your local Linux User Group (or LUG). The members there would very likely be quite happy to help you out with everything from helping you pick the distro that will most suit your needs to configuring it on your machine. All you have to do to find a LUG in your area is do a good search for one on the web using a term like Your Town LUG, Your Town Linux User Group or something like that.

I hope this helps!!! Good Luck with your Migration to the Penguin!

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wpgwpg · Accepted Answer · Apr 29, 2014 11:52AM PDT

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You owe it to yourself to at least try Linux Mint

by wpgwpg Apr 29, 2014 11:52AM PDT

You can go to linuxmint.com/download and download the .ISO file for Linux Mint. It's a free self-contained OS with a user interface very similar to Windows. You just download the ISO file, burn it to a DVD, and boot from it. In 3 minutes it'll be up and running with Firefox and an office suite called LibreOffice that's very similar to MS Office. I think the majority of Windows users have either not heard of it, or think of it as way out in the fringe, but it seems like it might just be exactly what you're looking for.

Repurpose an old desktop

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