Windows and Linux

[Rosiv]

I am not very tech savvy so bear with me.

My mom recently got me a used laptop for school, but the laptop required an activation code for the windows 7 OS. I think the laptop is used and im not really sure what to do from here. From what i gathered, an activation code is required to use the OS to it's fullest, and to reduce piracy. And therefore they sell the code with the disc that you install the OS with? But since the OS was already installed, but not activated, im left assuming alot of things. Maybe it was activated and not legit? Or maybe it wasnt, and she forgot to get the activation code from the guy?

Either way, i asked her to talk to the seller about it, but in the mean time, i was wondering about any Linux Alternatives? How compatible are they with gaming, coding,and other stuff would be nice.

 

[SnowyGamester]

It's likely that the activation key is on the bottom of the laptop unless it's been ripped off or the laptop originally came with a different operating system. Regardless, I'm not really a Linux user but I hear a lot of good thing about Ubuntu when it comes to general compatibility and having a similar interface to Windows. It's probably the most commonly used distro so it should have the most support and the most working programs but of course it's not going to be a perfect replacement if you plan on running Windows applications...you'll probably have to mess around with Wine a bit and chances are most things won't run, especially modern games. When it comes to coding, word processing and whatever there should be plenty of ports or alternative programs that serve the same function but don't expect to be able to run exactly what you would run on Windows.

 

[DoPo]

Yeah, laptops with Windows preinstalled (so most of them) should have the product key on the bottom. At least the ones I've seen do that. And I believe the OS doesn't come activated, as you'd need to put in your details like name to do so. Well, the details are mostly a formality but still, I think it'd be somewhat more unsettling if the copy was activated - it means the PC was actually used.

As for Linux, Ununtu is popular, I personally use Mint, which is Ubuntu based anyway and according to DistroWatch it's currently the most popular distro (and I used it before it was *adjusts hipster glasses*). It's easy to set up and use. As is Ubuntu, by the way. I quite like Mint, personally, but there are also literally hundreds of other variations if you think something else would better suit your needs.

As for compatibility - it depends. Gaming compatibility is not that great, though recently there has been improvement with Valve releasing Steam on Linux and the Humble Bundles. Well, what that means is that there is a growing number of games natively supporting Linux but most of them are smaller indie titles. Windows games need to be run through Wine (which provides a compatibility layer to run Windows software) and even then that's not 100% success. You can check the WineHQ application database [http://appdb.winehq.org/] to get an idea which games don't work, which do, and to what extent. Even then you might hit a problem with display drivers as the support for them is also not that great - I personally couldn't install the proprietary ATI drivers for my card, so I'm using the default open source ones and 3D perfomance is a bit...bad. Minecraft runs with 5-10 FPS bad. From what I know, nVidia have better support than ATI, however, the Optimus technology isn't quite officially supported - there is an open source alternative called Bumblebee and nVidia have very recently released a beta version of working Optimus for Linux but both are a bit lacking. For what it's worth, currently Bumblebee seems to be doing better.

When it comes to compatibility with other software...it depends what you mean - there is probably an open source alternative to any software package you're using but it's probably not going to be the same thing. So, for example, you won't be using Microsoft Office, for example, however there are Open Office and Libre Office that do well enough. If you already are using open source applications, then chances are you'll find them on Linux already - Firefox, Thunderbird, Chrome, Opera, VLC Media Player, Audacity, etc. The only one I know of that isn't there is Notepad++ but it's not a big issue.

If you do find yourself in need of Linux assistance, do come by the Linux usergroup [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/groups/view/Escapist-Linux-Users]

 

[AWAR]

Sometimes the windows sticker can also be found after opening the laptop's backplate (that's where it is on my HP netbook).
But yeah, Linux is a good enough alternative, pretty much everything is supported and is as much user friendly, if not more, as Windows. As for games things are starting to get better ever since Valve released Steam for linux.

 

[Rosiv]

@AWAR
@xXSnowyXx
@DoPo

Ok i checked the back and i see a Proof of license/ certificate of authenticity with the mircosoft logo, but the logo its self looks a bit worn, and if the key is suppose to be on it i cant read it...

Id honestly rather use windows 7, the linux was just a contingency, for i have ubuntu on a flash drive i could boot off of just in case, my teacher set it up for me cause he loves linix. Either way thanks for the help.

EDIT: Ive been doing some research, and i happened upon this program, its for windows vista though and im not too literate on these matters, so i was wondering your opinion on it?

ABR (Activation Backup and Restore)
http://directedge.us/content/abr-activation-backup-and-restore

 

[AWAR]

-snip

It doesn't hurt to try, there is a beta version for Windows 7 in that page if you haven't noticed.

 

[Frezzato]

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Worst case scenario, Rosiv could buy a copy of Windows 7, but in your experience, do you think an OEM copy would be okay? I'm curious as I was going to buy one for use on my Mac with VMWare.

From what I understand, OEM copies are restricted in the sense that you can never use that license for any other machine even if the installed machine dies, correct? That and you get no phone/email support from Microsoft.

 

[AWAR]

-snip

The OEM version of windows is bound to the first PC that is installed (I think it is bound to the motherboard) and you cannot "move it" to another machine as far as I'm aware off. The retail version can be installed on multiple PCs, but it only works on one at a time.
They were originally used only by PC vendors who also offer support, that's why you don't get any from Microsoft.

 

[Rosiv]

@AWAR

Well i asked the seller of the computer if he had the key, and he did...

So alls done and done

Thank you all for your respones.(> '' )>

 

[Frezzato]

-snip

The OEM version of windows is bound to the first PC that is installed (I think it is bound to the motherboard) and you cannot "move it" to another machine as far as I'm aware off. The retail version can be installed on multiple PCs, but it only works on one at a time.
They were originally used only by PC vendors who also offer support, that's why you don't get any from Microsoft.

Always wondered about that. Thanks for the confirmation.