Whats the most "windows" like linux distro available for a spare computer?

[jagabo]

Complex to set up and very slow on a 1.7 GHz AMD chip. If you want to run windows apps, install Windows. Easy to do a dual boot.

Only about 20 percent slower than running VirtualDub natively under Windows on the same machine. Unless memory becomes a constraint. (It's not like the old days with purely emulated machines that ran 1/20 the speed of the native CPU. Like DosBox continues to do.) And not much harder to install in a VM than installing Windows directly (dual monitors).

Here's a picture of my Ubuntu system running VirtualDub under Wine (on the left) and VirtualBox (on the right) in seamless mode.



In seamless mode Windows programs (including the Start Bar) open up on the Linux desktop just like native Linux programs.

Regarding the instability problems I was having with VirtualDub and Wine -- I think it was related to VirtualDub's default use of DirectX to draw the preview panes. After disabling that it was much more stable. AviSynth works under Wine and VirtualBox too.

[AlanHK]

Well, if you want to explore various Linux options, go to http://distrowatch.com/search.php and see the choices you have and see brief reviews.
Stick with distros still "active", that is being updated.

Naturally you'll get more support if you use a more popular one, though there are only a few basic architectures under the hood, the desktop and bundled apps can make them look quite different. That's just the starting point though; you can modify your setup as much as you like.

[edDV]

Here's a picture of my Ubuntu system running VirtualDub under Wine (on the left) and VirtualBox (on the right) in seamless mode.

Thanks for being the pioneer. I'll try that.

I've only used Linux for non-video tasks on older hardware, other than MythTV capture experiments.

Ubuntu rocks for simple web surfing and file server management. That has been Ubuntu's job so far. Older P4 machines are so slooooow for video encoding. Also power inefficient except used as winter room heaters.

[Nelson37]

Every couple years I try a Linux alternative, Mint is the first one that I have seriously considered for use. You can actually install a printer in a minute or two and it will probably work.

Safe, no hassle surfing is the main benefit. If your goal is to run even some of the software you are currently using, you are almost guaranteed to hit an absolute brick wall at some point.

Then you will find that using Sleeping Fawn with Creepy Puppy and Leaping Gnome with that particular app just won't work, but changing to Grumpy Munchkin, Burbling Brook, and Asphalt might work. Then you get to figure out what fails with that combination. Then you find that most of it has been discontinued.

You end up with a greater appreciation for Microsoft products.

[Poppa_Meth]

Every couple years I try a Linux alternative, Mint is the first one that I have seriously considered for use. You can actually install a printer in a minute or two and it will probably work.

Safe, no hassle surfing is the main benefit. If your goal is to run even some of the software you are currently using, you are almost guaranteed to hit an absolute brick wall at some point.

Then you will find that using Sleeping Fawn with Creepy Puppy and Leaping Gnome with that particular app just won't work, but changing to Grumpy Munchkin, Burbling Brook, and Asphalt might work. Then you get to figure out what fails with that combination. Then you find that most of it has been discontinued.

You end up with a greater appreciation for Microsoft products.

Which is why dual booting is still the best option. Sometimes you just need Windows. I currently have Win7 x64 and Snow Leopard installed on my Hackintosh rig and WinXP and Mint XFCE installed on my old P4 rig. Mint DE is also on my laptop. I have a FreeNAS server setup for storage and another old PC in the basement I'm debating how to use. I should be pretty well covered for most of what I need.

[yoda313]

Hey everyone.

I have downloaded quite a few of the recommended linuxes (linuxi?). I have ubuntu 11.04 currently installed on the extra pc. It looks pretty good.

I'm trying to get a usb wifi adapter to work on it. Its a ativa wifi g adapter usb. I have misplaced the driver disc.

I am downloading the windows drivers right now.

How can I get this to work with ubuntu?

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I do have an old wireless router (g) by dlink that I have ready to go. However I don't know how to set up it to access my existing wireless network (its setup using a netgear router). Ubuntu can see my dlink router just fine. But I don't know how to use it as a wireless adapter to access my existing network. I tried plugging the lan cable to the "1" slot instead of the wan slot. Should I use the wan slot instead?

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I'll be checking out the other linux downloads as well. I'll also download handbrake and give it a go. I think maybe I'll just use a simple trailer in a vob file since this is so old it would take forever on any long file.

[Nelson37]

Why are you downloading the Windows drivers? Is this your first go-round with Linux? Boy, are you in for a good time.

First, find the linux drivers, if there are any. Then you get to figure out the installation routine. If you liked the DOS command line, you're gonna LOVE what's coming next.

[jagabo]

First, find the linux drivers, if there are any.

There weren't any at the manufacturer's web site. I suspect he's out of luck.

Then you get to figure out the installation routine. If you liked the DOS command line, you're gonna LOVE what's coming next.

Heheh! That's one of those "windows-like is only superficial" things I was talking about.

[edDV]

None of my WiFi adapters have Linux drivers so these machines need to be LAN wired.

Ubuntu is fairly easy for the novice since they aren't Windows savvy either. If you stick to the apps in the Unbuntu Software Center, installation is easy. When you explore outside the Ubuntu umbrella, then you you need to learn Linux.

[yoda313]

Ok I guess I'll forgo the net on this. I'll stick with copying programs over to it via dvdr or usb stick.

[ahhaa]

Well, there sure is a lot of 'opinion' in this thread...
Linux has moved a long, long ways since single core CPUs were common. Most modern distros will bog down badly, but there are a couple which specifically run 'light' but with current features like automated wireless and huge HDs and such. Some are kinda amazing, such as Puppy, which runs from RAM or flash drives, and is only a 100K download:
http://www.puppylinux.com/

[autodidact]

I'm trying to get a usb wifi adapter to work on it. Its a ativa wifi g adapter usb. I have misplaced the driver disc.

I am downloading the windows drivers right now.

How can I get this to work with ubuntu?

Windows drivers can only be used when loaded with ndiswrapper. I don't use Ubuntu but I suspect ndiswrapper is available in their software repositories. Be aware, ndiswrapper isn't as user friendly as loading a driver in Windows. If you can determine the chipset used in your wireless device a Linux driver is likely available to run it. Some of the common supported chipsets are:

Ralink
Atheros
Intel
Prism

[yoda313]

Thanks autodidact. I may look into that more closely at some time in the future.

[lordsmurf]

Don't forget GMaq's AVLinux distro.

[Poppa_Meth]

You can also take a look at the Debian Wiki. It has specific directions on enabling certain wireless drivers such as Intel and Broadcom chipsets. I know if works in Mint DE, and there may be a chance it'll work in Ubuntu since that too is Debian based at it's core.

[yoda313]

Ok I have had ubuntu 11.04 (natty) installed for a few days now. I like what I see. Its a bit irritating not having instant access to what I want like in windows since I don't know the equivalent locations that I'm used to (really miss the start button with programs listed and the central program files directory - though I've since learned usr/bin is the equivalent in linux).

With the help posted in this thread and some chat time with bat999 I think I am on my way to being a fledgling linux user. I am in fact typing on it right now. I had to move my computer into the room with my wireless router so I could physically connect it via lan. I'll try to tackle ndiswrapper next (or whatever that program was to use windows drivers for my wireless usb adapter).

I have several programs installed now - projectx, winff, ffmpeg, avidemux, audacity and handbrake to name a few. I think this is a good suite so far for video conversions. DOES XVID4PSP HAVE A UBUNTU PORT? - edit = just checked the tools section unfortunately it does not - oh well.

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Is there a shortcut to start the terminal? I'll try to google some more on this but if anyone has a handy one please let me know)

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I installed wine. How do you the latest divx codec installed so it can be used in virtualdub through wine? I installed the divx installer through the divx download listed in the tools section. It gave an error message and I've had to reboot twice. I still need to install avisynth and then I'll fool around with it more.

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Is there any way to get anydvdhd or dvdfab bluray 3d ripper working on ubuntu? I know there are other rippers for ubuntu/linux but these are the best right? I have both on my vista pc. What I want to do in the near future is upgrade this spare pc to a quad core at least. I'm not ready or able to buy win7 right now so thats why I'm looking to ubuntu and its brothers for this pc.

My thinking here is that for my workflow I can simply rip to a usb harddrive on my pc that has my anydvdhd license on it and than move the usb harddrive to the new pc (once its upgraded). Then I can proceed as if its ripped straight away.

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Will there be any unforseen complications doing it this way? If I were to rip directly to a usb harddrive on the vista pc? Its a dual core pc. I would want to do the conversions on the faster pc once its upgraded.

I'll have more questions as I dive deeper into this. Assuming the same video conversion software is available in the other linuxes mentioned in this thread I may explore more into the others. If there are others that are more skinned like windows than I may end up using them - pclinuxos or mint for example. But I'm getting my feet wet on ubuntu right now.

I appreciate everyones input. Thanks again.

[jagabo]

I installed wine. How do you the latest divx codec installed so it can be used in virtualdub through wine?

Right click on the install EXE and select Open With Wine Windows Program Loader. Same with AviSynth. You will probably have to set the Executable bit in the file Permissions in the file Properties.

Is there a shortcut to start the terminal?

Select Applications -> Accessories, right click on Terminal, select Add This Launcher To Panel.

[bat999]

[QUOTE=jagabo;2080063]

Select Applications -> Accessories, right click on Terminal, select Add This Launcher To Panel.

Same method with 'File Manager'.

Its a bit irritating not having instant access to what I want like in windows since I don't know the equivalent locations..
The 'File Manager' (equivalent to My Computer etc.) will be Nautilus or Thunar probably.
Find the menu entry (maybe in System > Preferences).
Right-click on the menu entry and 'Add this launcher to Desktop' or 'Add this launcher to panel'.

[Hoser Rob]

I'm all for Linux or Unix. It may be worth the extra effort it'll take, maybe not.

One thing I feel the need to point out is that Linux has a reputation for being a safer option for surfing. This is not the case anymore. There is serious money in Linux now ... if you rent one of those virtual machines on the Amazon e.g. cloud it'll be a Linux one. Hackers are attacking Linux systems like mad now with DOS and all that crap.

[yoda313]

@jagabo and bat999 - thanks. I'll take note of that when I'm on that pc again - not on it at the moment.

And at jagabo - I was able to launch virtualdub with wine. However for some reason even setting the ok to be an executable option for the divx installer I was not able to proceed with the installation. It was the download installer you get when get the download file for the "divx plus" link in the tools section. It starts up and when I click next to get it started it gets a program error saying something about wine not liking it.

I'll try loading xvid in wine and see how that goes. If I can get that working than I'll fool with divx proper later.

I'll also try reading the two ubuntu books I checked out. I glanced through them last night while I was loading programs. I think a little background on linux in general will help me figure out the landscape more. Since it doesn't have the lineage that I'm familiar with like the dos-windows lineage I grew up with I need to acclimate myself to it.

[jagabo]

I never tried Divx under Wine. I use Xvid.

[yoda313]

@jagabo - ok I got xvid installed just fine and avisynth as well. I am currently encoding a test dvd vob trailer to xvid in vdubmod. Seems to be going just fine (although obviously slower than I'm used to on this single core 1.7ghz pc).

I was able to make a terminal shortcut on the pop out side bar that has all the buttons on the left of the screen. When I was in applications nothing happened when I right clicked on the terminal icon. I was able to drag and drop it on to the pop out bar though.

Thanks everyone. I am starting to get more acclimated with this ubuntu stuff. I think I may just stick with it now that I have started exploring it more. When I do eventually upgrade to a new motherboard and faster processor I think I'll just reload ubuntu on it.

[jagabo]

I was able to make a terminal shortcut on the pop out side bar that has all the buttons on the left of the screen.

I think you're using the new Launcher GUI (looks a bit like Win7). I'm still using the old GUI that's more like Windows XP.

[yoda313]

I was able to make a terminal shortcut on the pop out side bar that has all the buttons on the left of the screen.

I think you're using the new Launcher GUI (looks a bit like Win7). I'm still using the old GUI that's more like Windows XP.

Could be. I just downloaded the ubuntu 11.04 that was available from the live cd list. I don't know which version it was except in the installer stuff in the software source it says natty so thats what I've been mentioning.

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I'm trying to use ndiswrapper 1.9 to see if I could get my usb wifi adapter working (ativa wifi g). I got it installed and I have my drivers on the computer (the windows drivers). When I try to get ndiswrapper to load the inf file it says its not found (line 219 or something). I tried to copy the inf and sys files into the usr/sbin directory. It said I don't have permission to do that.

I have since changed my user account to administrator and I rebooted. I still can't copy and paste the inf files into the sbin directory.

Am I doing something wrong here? I'll keep checking the ndiswrapper website for more info.

Thanks.

[bat999]

I tried to copy the inf and sys files into the usr/sbin directory. It said I don't have permission to do that.

I have since changed my user account to administrator and I rebooted. I still can't copy and paste the inf files into the sbin directory.

Am I doing something wrong here? .

Hi
I can't help any with the wifi.

But if you need to paste into those type of folder-
I use this command:-

gksudo nautilus

Maybe it works with Natty too.

[yoda313]

Thanks bat999.

Actually after going through some ndis websites I did get it installed. Also i got the windows wireless software gui installed with it.

So I pointed it to the inf file for the adapter. It said it was there. I went through the wireless network setup and told the name and the wpa password. For some reason its not saving the wpa password.

And the adapter keeps turning on and off. The green light on the adapter keeps winking on and off at seemingly random intervals. Steady for awhile and then it goes off (while trying to connect - i think it stays steady green while its not interacting with the connection program).

Are there any scanning programs to scan for wireless networks? I'm not sure if its saving my settings properly.

Also could the motherboards usb ports be faulty? It is an older pc and I don't know its history. HOwever I have been able to successfully use a usb memory stick on it.

If I can get this working I will have it almost exactly the way I want it.

The little wireless indicator icon in the top toolbar shows its trying to connect. But it keeps popping up wanting the wpa password. I've resaved it a few times. I think I'll simply delete the configuration and reenter it fresh. Maybe something got corrupted somehow.

Thanks again for all the help (I've had to reconnect my lan cable to type this - I'm still in the room with the router).

[autodidact]

Have you checked this out?

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WifiDocs/Driver/Ndiswrapper

[yoda313]

Have you checked this out?

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WifiDocs/Driver/Ndiswrapper

Thanks autodidact.

I think thats page I used to get as far as I have. I think this is where I have missed my steps:

Load the new driver module

• If ndiswrapper correctly associates the driver to the wireless adapter, you are now ready to load the driver into memory, and try to establish a network connection. Open a Terminal and run the following commands: sudo depmod -a sudo modprobe ndiswrapperThen, also in a Terminal, check for error messages: tail /var/log/messagesAlternatively, open a Terminal and try the commands ip addr and iwconfig. Your wireless card should appear with an interface name of wlan0. If it doesn't appear here, then the driver is not working properly. If no errors are given, you should now be able to configure the network connection.

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I don't think I got it loaded.

That would make sense as to why it doesn't do the final connection process. If its blinking on and off and not finishing the connection it must be that its not "locked" into the system to be fully used.

Thanks for having me look at it again. Looks like I have one more step to go and I should be on my way.