forums.xandros.com

acmurphy1 · Xplorer Joined: 18 Nov 2009 Posts: 6 Location: Bowie, MD

I'm wondering if I should reinstall Xandros 3 to fix some problems (Display manager no longer in Control Center, etc.) or if it would cause more trouble than it's worth. For instance would it set my 2.6.11 -x1 kernel back to the original 2.6.9 -x1? What happens to all the files and directories - do home and user directories get renamed to "old"? I'm not a Linux expert and really need some advice.
Angela C. Murphy

smschmidt · Xplorer Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 42

EarthBoundMisfit · Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2010 11:05 am Post subject:

Angela, installing 3.0 would be more trouble than it is worth.
You may be able to have your old files stored....in linux sometimes they are stored in a /home folder....and some users keep that folder seperate, so that they can transfer that folder to another drive.
I would ask what version of Xandros you are running....4.0, 4.1, or 4.5?
If you have a good internet connection...get Xandros 4.5.
Even it is seriously outdated....but you can still access Xandros Network servers to get updates.
I am not sure if 3.0 still has any working repositiories to install software at this point.
Xandros as a company has abandoned its users, which is why this once thriving community has largely abandoned Xandros for other linux distros.

If you decide to change ditros...let me know.
I can walk you through the steps to decide which distro might be best for you.
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acmurphy1 · Xplorer Joined: 18 Nov 2009 Posts: 6 Location: Bowie, MD

I eventually figured out that there was no point in reinstalling Xandros
3. I downloaded, burned to DVD and installed Xandros 4.5 OCE (after I'd
bought and partitioned a bigger hard disk). The installation went OK,
but I found that the newest Skype would not install. That's OK too,
because the Skype included with 4.5, unlike the earlier version with 3,
does work, although without video. The problem came when I booted into
Xandros 3 (from 4.5's GRUB) to pick up a setting I'd forgotten to write
down. I couldn't get back to Xandros 4.5, because Xandros 3's LILO took
over. I had to reinstall 4.5. I posted a help request in the
installation forum and found that this behavior was not unknown, and was
advised to use a Xandros "restore" from the 4.5 installation disk. Only
thing is - does Xandros 4.5 use the "shift" or the "space" key to access
the "restore" menu? For now, I'm being very careful to boot only into
Xandros 4.5 and retrieve any files I need through the File Manager. I
can boot to (ugh) Windows XP from either Xandros installation.
I have an empty partition on the new disk. I've been thinking
about putting another distro on it - maybe Debian or Ubuntu. My
daughter uses Ubuntu at work and likes it. She's going to ask her
friends what they think I'm gathering all the information I can before
making a decision. I am sorry Xandros abandoned its users. I liked it.
Thank you for your offer to walk me through the steps to
deciding on a new distro. As a Linux amateur a need all the help I can get.
Thanks again,
Angela C. Murphy

EarthBoundMisfit · Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 7:43 pm Post subject:

all I ever remember seeing from the Xandros setup when booting from the installation disk is pressing space bar to perform a Xandros restore.

When shopping for a new distro you have a couple of questions to answer for yourself.
First would be which desktop you prefer.
Xandros comes with KDE by default... but the newer versions of KDE aren't as good in my opinion. I just don't like the look of the KDE 4 series of desktops... so I have switched to GNOME.

Being that Xandros is based on Debian (although it is a customized version...so it really isn't Debian anymore)...you may feel more comfortable with a Debian based distribution.
Ubuntu is a good distribution...with a large helpful community. It comes with the GNOME desktop by default...but you can download the KDE version of Ubuntu called un-originally enough Kubuntu.

My only beef with linux nowdays, is that since the demise of Linspire...and now Xandros quitting on its customers.... there really isn't a easy to use newbie friendly distro anymore.
Certainly there are forums you can go to to ask questions....but then you run the risk of someone on there being a jerk and asking you if you read the manual...

Glenn
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"Microsoft has encountered a critical system error and must now shut down. Better get Bill Gate$ on the phone for this one......."

gnuuser · Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 7:58 pm Post subject:

ubuntu is not the only distro though I have a collection that exceeds 170 different linux distros (these are the english versions)
consider what you want to do 1st
then research the distros. go to linixlinks.com or distromania.
you can check out the distros by going to their site. If you would like to try them you can download and burn the iso to disk
or you can order the disk for about 3 to 6 $ usually covers the cost of shipping ( Still cheaper than micro-sith )
installing most distros is a fairly straight forward procedure
with exception to gentoo ( good program but can be a bear to install)
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jimallyn · Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 10:26 pm Post subject:

I'm not sure that the Xandros 4.5 install disc includes the Restore function. I'd probably try doing it from the Xandros 3 install disc.
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kalwisti · Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 12:04 pm Post subject:

Hi, Angela,

There are still beginner-friendly distros out there. In my opinion, it would be worthwhile to check out any (or all) of the following, in addition to Ubuntu:

Linux Mint (GNOME is the default desktop but there are community editions of KDE and Xfce available)

PCLinuxOS (has a brand new 2010 release; KDE is default but GNOME, Xfce, LXDE, etc. are available)

SimplyMEPIS (KDE is the default)

Pardus 2009.1 (an independent distro from Turkey; KDE is the default but Xfce and LXDE are available. Unsure about GNOME)

All of these distros have friendly, accessible user forums where you can get help if needed. You shouldn't have to worry about rude, RTFM-type responses to questions. Based on my experience, it's likely that any of these distros will Just Work for you, with a minimum of fuss or command-line involvement (you'll be able to do almost everything with a GUI).

You can download (or purchase) their Live CDs, try them out on your hardware to check for compatibility issues, and then install your favorite(s).

If you're leaning towards Ubuntu, one thing you might consider is waiting a bit until the new release of Lucid Lynx, which will be an LTS (Long-Term Support) version, i.e. it will receive support and security updates for 3 years. That would allow you to avoid Ubuntu's typical six-month release/update cycle.

HTH and Good Luck,
=david
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acmurphy1 · Xplorer Joined: 18 Nov 2009 Posts: 6 Location: Bowie, MD

Well, I finally went with Ubuntu 10.04 LTS (Lucid Lynx). It will take some getting used to, but I like it and my husband likes it. We are, however, keeping our boot to Xandros 4.5 OCE , because we like that too, even if it is a bit outdated. I am really sorry Xandros abandoned its users. It was great while it lasted.
Angela C. Murphy

weddingcoo · Xplorer Joined: 06 Jan 2012 Posts: 1 Location: Texas

oh, I finally went with Ubuntu 10.04 LTS (Lucid Lynx). It will take some getting used to, but I like it too. Embarassed

retro junkie · Xplorer Joined: 14 May 2012 Posts: 10 Location: Kentucky

I have been using SUSE 10.0 since it came out, I'm thinking 2005. I am wanting to get a more up to date distro and was really considering Xandros 4.5. I have it installed right now on my desktop. The only thing I see that is a problem is the browser has the same problem with the net as I was experiencing before, out of date.

Newer Linux distros have a problem on my set up. I still use ancient dial-up for the net. Everything is so geared toward the fast connection. The dial-up part of the distros that I have tried seem broken.

I have been considering using Xandros 4.5 and Puppy for my net surfing. Or I do have the choice of OpenSuse 12.1 and Puppy for my net surfing.

I really like Xandros 4.5 even tho it is out of date and not really supported any more. It is more up to date than what I was using.
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jimallyn · Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 7:11 pm Post subject:

I'm still using Xandros 4 on my main computer, and Linux Mint on my laptop. (Which has since died.) I like Mint just fine; you might give it a try. Another distro I've heard a lot of good things about is PCLOS. So you might try Mint and PCLOS. Otherwise, you might find X4.5 is the way to go on your older hardware. I'm also on dialup; nothing else is available in my neighborhood.
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retro junkie · Xplorer Joined: 14 May 2012 Posts: 10 Location: Kentucky

I tried PCLOS, it will not boot on my machine. When I try to install it goes into command line. I am a user not much more than that. That is what made me like Xandros 4.5 so much, it detected everything and set my rigg up really to use. I really wanted to see what PCLOS was like. I may try the KDE Mint. I tried an old version on my laptop when it first came out and could not get it to see my dial-up modem.

I also like the way that CrossOver Office fits into Xandros 4.5. I have 7.0.0 running on it.

I guess the biggest hurdle is the printer and internet thing with the distros I am trying. I was very interested in Legacy OS but it cannot install the driver for my HP Destjet 632C correctly. I did have it loaded up and that is what caused me to wipe it off.
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Doctore · Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 11:03 am Post subject:

Hello retro junkie Smile

!

Have you tried installing our "home brewed" service pack?
With K2SP, necessary XD45 libraries gets updated and almost
syncronised with Debian Lenny, making it possible to install
newer packages as Firefox, Flash and other applications.

Both XD45CD & K2SP are available here:
http://www.pcds.fi/downloads/iso/xandros/
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retro junkie · Xplorer Joined: 14 May 2012 Posts: 10 Location: Kentucky

Hmmmm..... thanks Doctore.

That file is a little too big for me to try being that I am using dial-up.
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