I need a new OS

[Stormcrow]

Well, with a new mobo on the way, unfortunately its gonna be time to wipe XP from my system due to the new chipset. Its been a decent OS, but the problem is, I dont have a working product key anymore since I was using a buddies OEM key and it has since been activated too many times. Well, I'm kinda sick of Microsofts bloatware anyway, and was looking into maybe a Linux distro. Problem is, I've only used Winders since back with 98, so anything else is alien to me.
I've just got a few questions about compatibility for anyone who uses a Linux based OS:

I use my computer mainly for Firefox, light gaming, listening to music and editing images. XP likes to use about 30% of my system resources just for that, is Linux more efficient like I heard?
I've got a Athlon X2, how about dual core support? XP sucks with that.
I need to keep Photoshop/Imageready CS2, are they compatible?
Since DirectX is Microsofts, what do the other systems use to run games, OpenGL? I mainly play MMO games like Guild Wars and WoW, are these supported?
Anyway to talk with my contacts that only use MSN Messenger?
I've heard Ubuntu/Kubuntu are the best distros, whats the difference between them and are they better then say, Redhat?

See, being under the Microsoft umbrella is not a good thing folks, and I'm not shelling out 185 for a new key or even touching Vista. Any help with overcoming the corporate moneysink is appreciated

[Computer-Ed]

I find some of your comments a bit off, so I would like to address them.

The use of system resources is a POOR way to judge how an OS is working. a GOOD OS will use as much resources as it needs when it needs it and then release to other programs as needed, XP and Vista both do a good job at this. The amount they use is not relevent, the ability to correctly release is.

XP has very good dual core support, i have never understood all the complaints about it. So you need a patch, news flash it came out, dual core that is, AFTER XP.

Concerning your choice of games, especially MMOs they only way most of them will play without using windows is an emulator. I know some people have had luck with EVE using an emualtor for Windows in Luinx.

I do agree with you $185 for an XP key is NUTS. If you want XP contact me PM. I have a Windows XP MCE that si fully legal in the packaging that I am selling for $50 and if you want it plus shipping it is yours.

[stinger608]

Oh heck, I can even go a little bit better on the OS!!!

I have found some OEM Dell XP Pro OS's that are fantastic, and work flawlessly on anything you install them on!!

The big draw here, is they run $10.00 plus shipping!!!!! And the shipping is just a buck

Here is one of his copies that end in 2 days!!! He is legit, and is real easy to deal with!

Yahoo! Auctions - Dell Windows XP Pro SP2 Re-installation CD Restore auction in New condition

Better get um fast, Yahoo auctions are about to end in the us!!!

[qazwsx]

I know if I got a new mobo I would need to reactivate windows, but would microsoft happily give me a new CD key? Ive got an OEM version but ive already got a CD key AND payed for it! Hardly seems fair if I have to pay again.

[stinger608]

Originally Posted by qazwsx

I know if I got a new mobo I would need to reactivate windows, but would microsoft happily give me a new CD key? Ive got an OEM version but ive already got a CD key AND payed for it! Hardly seems fair if I have to pay again.

Na you can reactivate the same copy! You will just have to call the gates foundation and let them know that you upgraded your system

[qazwsx]

good, Im not a fan of this motherboard but im not a fan of buying microsoft software for £100 plus at times

[Stormcrow]

Windows is efficient, once you turn off all the background services you'll never use. Thats what I mean by efficient, does it load alot of things you dont want or never use that just take up resources. Like Norton's, its a good Antivirus but alot of it I'd never use.

I had problems with the dual core patch from AMD for awhile, causing random crashes. Microsoft did address this though. Windows XP is old, I understand this and multicore isnt supported natively. Newer operating systems do, however, and I'm wondering which ones in the Linux category do.

So you have to emulate Windows in order to play most games? I've heard people use the term Wine for Linux, is that some kind of emulator like Virtual PC for the Mac?

I bought XP when SP1 came out, and the CD key has since "been activated too many times". When I called in to Microsoft, the support reps refused to give me a new one the several times I called and asked. My friend had the same problem when his HP had to be reformatted several times due to a hard drive crash. So when his junky Emachine finally overheated and burnt out, we've been using the key from that one, however now its expired as well. I thank you for the offer, but thats my problem. I dont have the money to purchase a new OS thanks to my mobo quitting on me, so I wanna look into a free one until Vista gets its first service pack.

[Stormcrow]

Sorry for the double post, but about OEM Dell OS CD's...I happen to be using an older Dimension right now and it came with a OEM XP Home edition, and the many times I've reformatted the drive for this Dell with it, its never asked for the product key. It just automatically activates it. Say I was to do a repair install on my system with this disk, would it activate it hassle free like it does on the machine it came with?

[Stormcrow]

Wow, something finally seems to be going my way. This PC has the COA on the side from Dell with the serial key. I've never used the key, as this is the family PC and I'm the only one that does maintenance on it so I know its good. I get my mobo on Monday, and if everything else works I'll try out this disc definitely. Probably will get the Dell bootscreen, but hey, thats what Bootskin is for.

I'd still like to play around with Linux, though. Would Kubuntu be good for dual boot OS that I can get used to the Linux kernal with?

[yurimxpxman]

Originally Posted by Stormcrow

I use my computer mainly for Firefox, light gaming, listening to music and editing images. XP likes to use about 30% of my system resources just for that, is Linux more efficient like I heard?

Yes and no. The problems with Windows aren't really performance so much as the file system. That said, Linux does not require defragmenting, anti-virus, or anti-spyware, so you will definitely see a performance improvement.

Originally Posted by Stormcrow

I've got a Athlon X2, how about dual core support? XP sucks with that.

The default kernel in most distributions supports up to 8 processors. I think the limit is like 256 or something like that if you compile your own kernel. I can't say that I've actually seen Linux make better use of the extra cores, but it's definitely not any worse than XP.

Originally Posted by Stormcrow

I need to keep Photoshop/Imageready CS2, are they compatible?

The GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is somewhat-compatible with Photoshop. It supports PSD files, but I'm not 100% certain how well since I don't use anything but The GIMP.

Originally Posted by Stormcrow

Since DirectX is Microsofts, what do the other systems use to run games, OpenGL? I mainly play MMO games like Guild Wars and WoW, are these supported?

You can run a few games in WINE (Wine Is Not an Emulator). Basically, it creates a wrapper of the Windows API. You'll see a small performance hit, but quite a bit of software works, and it will only get better as time goes on.

Originally Posted by Stormcrow

Anyway to talk with my contacts that only use MSN Messenger?

There are quite a few MSN clients for Linux. My favorite is aMSN because it supports just about everything MSN can do (webcam, nudges, etc.). Pidgin also supports MSN (along with just about every other protocol), but doesn't have all the fancy features.

Originally Posted by Stormcrow

I've heard Ubuntu/Kubuntu are the best distros, whats the difference between them and are they better then say, Redhat?

They're a lot easier to use than the others. The biggest difference are the package manager and the installation process. (Yes, in Linux, we have a utility to automate all the installation and removal processes.. it's a lot easier than Windows ;)

But after you're used to Linux, there really aren't any difference among the different distributions. The distribution just serves as a starting point to get you going in the Linux world.

You should read this article -> You Can Switch to Linux! - willsmith - Maximum PC