Linux Archives - Page 7 of 9 - Rick's Daily Tips

Q&A: Can I install Windows 8.1 on a laptop that originally came with Windows Vista?

Posted on June 11, 2015

Question from Glenn W.: I have an old, but awesome 2008 era Dell Inspiron 1525 laptop that came with Windows Vista. It still works great except for the hard drive which just died on me with no warning.

I found out that I can buy a brand spanking new replacement hard drive for less than $50, but I don’t have a set of Windows Vista restore discs.

If I replace the hard drive can I also install Windows 8.1 in place of Vista? (I would actually prefer Windows 7 but they don’t sell it anymore.)

Or is this machine so old that only Windows Vista will work, which would mean I’m out of luck either way?

Sorry for the multiple questions, but this is all very confusing to me. I hate to throw away a perfectly good laptop just because the hard drive died.

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Want to learn how to use Linux? Take the $99 ‘Introduction to Linux’ course for free!

Posted on May 28, 2015

If you’ve been thinking about dipping your toes into the Linux world, now is the perfect time to get started. For a limited time, the Linux Foundation is offering their outstanding $99 “Introduction to Linux” course for free!

“Introduction to Linux” covers the basics of the Linux operating system. You’ll learn how to use the GUI (Graphical User Interface) as well as the command line to perform many common Linux tasks. You’ll also get hands-on training in several of the most useful Linux-based applications.

The only prerequisite to taking this course is basic familiarity with computers in general. Experienced Windows and Mac users will do just fine. [Read more…]

Q&A: What’s the best way to run Linux without installing it on my hard drive?

Posted on February 24, 2015

Question from Evan L.: Hi Rick. First of all, I love your site and all the great info you post here. Thanks so much!

And now on to my question. I just finished reading your post about replacing Windows with Linux to speed up an older computer, and I’d love to give Ubuntu a whirl on my Acer S3-391-6046 Ultrabook.

I don’t want to install Ubuntu on my hard drive because the drive is so small (and full) that I’d have to wipe out Windows 8.1 to make room for it, and I don’t even know if I’ll like using Linux or not.

I know that you can run Ubuntu from either a CD or a USB Flash Drive, but I have no idea which way to go on that. What do you recommend?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: Can I install Windows 7 for a Dell laptop on a home-built desktop computer?

Posted on January 21, 2015

Question from Todd H.: The hard drive went out on my HP Pavilion dm1-4010us Notebook computer.

I replaced the bad drive with one that I had taken out of an older laptop but I had to order a Windows Restore DVD from HP so I could put Windows back on it.

When the Restore DVD arrived I went to install it and found out the screen is bad too. After considering all my options, I decided that I’d like to just trash the laptop and build a desktop computer from scratch. If I do that will I be able to install the Windows 7 from the HP Restore DVD onto the new computer?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: Can I install Ubuntu Linux on my laptop without using the optical drive?

Posted on August 17, 2014

Question from Terry G.: Rick, I have an older Dell laptop with Windows XP installed. I want to take your advice and replace Windows with Ubuntu Linux, but I have a problem. The Dell’s DVD drive is broken and no longer works.

My question is how can I install Ubuntu on my laptop without using a Linux installation disc?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]