Assistance for an ageing friend.

[Hafoi Bin Ereafower]

Well - I haven't been here for ages but a dear friend whose method of operating is in terminal decline needs help so - - erstwhile pals can you help ?

 

The aged friend I speak of (an Acer Aspire) has served me and latterly my wife for many moons (probably close to 15 years) it's been bashed, dropped, repaired yet still works well.

 

The problem is those admirable chaps at Microsoft no longer support the Vista life blood of my aged friend I am reticent to chuck such a faithful pal in the bin so can anyone recommend an operating system that is available either free or for a few pounds (and how I get it) so I can resuscitate my old chum.

 

My old friend will only be a back up and will live in a nice dry retirement cupboard so needn't be equipped with "vibrant and throbbing" software - - but I would like to think he's still there as I just can't bear chucking him in the bin.

 

Is there an OS out there to fit my friends (and my) spec ?

 

Regards,

 

Aristotle.

[KenB]

Hi Good to see you again :)

 

There are lots of free Operating Systems available for you to try.

Linux Mint is one.

It has been around for some time now and is reliable.

 

It is available here - Download - Linux Mint

 

There are various Guides here - Linux Mint Installation Guide — Linux Mint Installation Guide documentation

 

Judging by the age of your machine it is probably 32 bit [ 64 bit is also available ] - you would need to download the appropriate version.

 

I am not a user of Linux but one of our other members is.

If you have any questions I am sure that he would jump in - he may even have other suggestions :)

[Rustys]

Linux Mint would be one of the better ones to use I have found it to be most like Windows. You can test the live version before you install to make sure that everything works to your satisfaction. Remember that it is a live version will run slower than one is installed on the Hard Drive since it is ran from the USB and or DVD drive.

 

Yes will be more that willing to help with the Linux install and configuration.

[AWS]

Linux Mint is very good. I myself prefer uBuntu which has some similarities to Mint.

 

For someone just starting with Linux you can't go wrong with Linux Mint.

[KenB]

H-B-E,

 

I will leave you in Rustys capable hands :)

[Hafoi Bin Ereafower]

As ever many thanks to KenB also to Rustys and AWS.

 

Will go away and study then "holler" if I need help.

 

Regards,

 

HBE

[Hafoi Bin Ereafower]

Had a quick look at Linux Mint and looks good - it's name also appeals to my sense of humour - I imagine my elderly gentleman living out his remaining years in his retirement home with a lady called Sylvia !

 

However before I commit and because despite having the occasional rant against MS I quite like the familiarity and continuity - - thought I'd do a search for cheapest W10 - and find myself in a position where I need your advice again.

 

Found this W10 Home for £24 at the following cheapersoftware.co.uk/windows-10-home/11-windows-10-home.html

 

Now call me a cynical old git if you like but I'm suspicious of the difference in price between say PC World at £99 and some of the others advertised on t'web anywhere between £20 and £30.

 

My question therefore chap's is - - - do these, let's call them "more economical" versions do everything and receive all the auto updates that the more expensive versions do - is there any difference ?

 

Your's HBE

[KenB]

Hi,

thought I'd do a search for cheapest W10

If you are thinking of installing Win10 on your old machine [ XP / Vista ?? ] you may find that you have compatibility issues.

Older hardware is not always compatible with Win10.

 

There is a compatibility tool that you can run to find out;

click on this link - Windows 7, 8.1 & 10 compatibility testing for Windows XP, Vista & 7 computers

 

Scroll down to #2

 

Even the Win10 compatibility software will not run on older Operating Systems you will need to run the Win8

 

And in answer to your original question - Win10 for £24 ??? I would be VERY suspicious.

If it sounds too good to be true - it usually is.

[Felix]

That's the site here

Looks like you just download the ISO, so maybe not THAT suspicious after all...

[Rustys]

I have to agree with KenB on the suspicious.

 

Download Windows 10 Disc Image (ISO File)

 

I think that I selected the correct one for your country.

[Hafoi Bin Ereafower]

Thank you one and all for your advice.

 

Seems to this aged person with brain cells that are going dead at the edge - that nothing in this life is as simple as it once was.

 

With only part a brain I am comfortable with the familiar so it seems it's either take a leap of faith and trust a low cost web site to provide W10 which matches in security and efficiency that which I can buy from a large retailer for nearly four times the cost - - Hey Ho.

 

Mind you wasn't it me old Mum that said "you get what you pay for" - - - - I'll need to give it some thought - - - thanks again.

 

Your's

 

HBE

[KenB]

For further information:

The site you refer to has only been in business approximately 1 year.

The owner is based in Tunisia.

 

I did a search and found Win 10 for £19-99 and as low as £8-78

 

However - I did find a lot of reviews saying that although the OS installed - the Product Key had been used before.

The product could not be activated. !!

 

Be VERY careful what you buy if you do decide to go down this route.