The DRM timebomb

[Skybird]

I decided to put this into Generla Topics, since it is not specifically about a technical probloem, but in essence is a powerpolitical issue affecting whole society.

https://boingboing.net/2016/09/19/hp-detonates-its-timebomb-pri.html


That's why EFF is suing the US government to invalidate section 1201 of the DMCA (https://www.eff.org/press/releases/eff-lawsuit-takes-dmca-section-1201-research-and-technology-restrictions-violate): because "owning property" means (https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/William_Blackstone) having the "sole and despotic dominion which one man claims and exercises over the external things of the world, in total exclusion of the right of any other individual in the universe" and if every software-enabled thing can be remote-controlled against your wishes and your interests, then we have abolished personal property altogether, in favor of a neo-feudal system of perpetual corporate ownership -- and because an age in which our computers hold our lives in their hands cannot be an age in which it is illegal to tell you whether your computer is working correctly, for obvious reasons.
Things become worse and worse in the digital world. Microsoft'S GWX war against users, or assaulting users to make them using Windows 10 anyone?

I do not own a smartphone, nor do I intend to get one. I have dramatically cut my dependency on Microsoft, and prepare to cut the remaining ties - gaming - as well, although that comes with some dear losses. But the more time passes by, the ore willing I am to take these losses. I just cant stand the foul smell in the air anymore.

I have even started to look for a used, good conserved mechanical typewriter, non-electric. Readiness is all. :03:

[GT182]

We were warned about this by George Orwell in his book "!984". It seems all those doing this to us also read that book too. Well, it was required reading in some schools. Ever sense then we've all been scrod.... the past tense of screwed. And it's only going to get worse.

The same can be said about Microsoft and it's updates. We have no way of knowing what their updates are for and do. And for some we have no way of not installing them.... that I know of. And if we uninstall them, what happens to our computer. It's the same too with their Operating Systems. They dictate how long we can use them even tho we "Paid" for them. When we can no longer use one, why then are we not reimbursed the money we had to spend to use it? My point is XP, the best OS they ever put out. So now we have nothing but problems with their newest crap that cost us even more.

[Eichhörnchen]

I keep an offline gaming computer with XP and wish I could leave it at that, but I need to be online for business so I have to be sure my O/S will remain compatible with all those things necessary for running it... I can't afford to find one day that none of the antivirus or email will work anymore on my old system.

I hate Windows 10 as much as anybody here, but I'm not savvy enough to change over to Apple or Linux... could I still link up with my customers who are still on Windows?

[Oberon]

Sadly, it's the price you pay for admission.

[Betonov]

Sending private parts photos, entertaining the NSA one erection at a time

[GT182]

I keep an offline gaming computer with XP and wish I could leave it at that, but I need to be online for business so I have to be sure my O/S will remain compatible with all those things necessary for running it... I can't afford to find one day that none of the antivirus or email will work anymore on my old system.

I hate Windows 10 as much as anybody here, but I'm not savvy enough to change over to Apple or Linux... could I still link up with my customers who are still on Windows?

There are some still using XP and online too. How I don't know as that's what I want to do with my fresh reinstall of XP Home. And use it for gaming seeing it's a 32bit system... XP Home. It will play SH3, 4 and 5 without all the problems being encountered today. All 3 were built to run on a 32bit system.

Like you I hate 10 and 8.1. But until I can get XP Home to run as I want, I'll stick with 8.1 only. As for Linux, Microsoft says that's what they be using for their next OS build. Nothing like them sticking it to us as they have been doing.

[Rhodes]

Sending private parts photos, entertaining the NSA one erection at a time
Same here, my derrière must be in NSA portraits by know...:Kaleun_Salivating:

[Eichhörnchen]

But until I can get XP Home to run as I want, I'll stick with 8.1 only. As for Linux, Microsoft says that's what they be using for their next OS build. Nothing like them sticking it to us as they have been doing.

I got talked into moving 'up' to 10 from 8.1... wish I'd stuck it out longer.

[Betonov]

Same here, my derrière must be in NSA portraits by know...:Kaleun_Salivating:

The fact none of us has had a drone over yet, is that someone at NSA is better endowned than us.
Oh well, ces't la vie.

[Jeff-Groves]

I dumped 10 and went back to 7
It's only a matter of time how long I keep it.

[Fubar2Niner]

Ditto

[Jimbuna]

Probably in a minority here but I'm happy with W10

[Sailor Steve]

I got talked into moving 'up' to 10 from 8.1... wish I'd stuck it out longer.
I ran into an unrelated problem and had to reformat my computer. Since it came with 8.1 installed it defaulted back to that OS. I've been with 8.1 ever since.

[Bilge_Rat]

still sticking to Win 7 here. :ping:

[GT182]

Jeff, if I can find a reasonably priced disc of Win 7 32bit, I'm going to it and getting away from 8.1. When I bought 8.1 I should have gotten 7 instead. But you know the saying... "You Can't Fix Stupid!.

[Commander Wallace]

We were warned about this by George Orwell in his book "!984". It seems all those doing this to us also read that book too. Well, it was required reading in some schools. Ever sense then we've all been scrod.... the past tense of screwed. And it's only going to get worse.

The same can be said about Microsoft and it's updates. We have no way of knowing what their updates are for and do. And for some we have no way of not installing them.... that I know of. And if we uninstall them, what happens to our computer. It's the same too with their Operating Systems. They dictate how long we can use them even tho we "Paid" for them. When we can no longer use one, why then are we not reimbursed the money we had to spend to use it? My point is XP, the best OS they ever put out. So now we have nothing but problems with their newest crap that cost us even more.


There are other options besides apple and Microsoft operating systems. I and a number of other people here have been working with open source Operating Systems. Linux with the Wine add is one of them. The developers of these systems want the end user to be able to control when and how these system are updated. In addition, these open source operating systems can be tailored to suit specific needs.

Skybird and a number of others have been carrying the banner for these various operating systems and it may be worth your time to take a look at them. I have used them and have found them to be exceptional. Mine even looks like windows XP / 7.

[GT182]

Sounds good Commander. Do you have any links for what you're using. I'd like to check out some options. Thanks.

[Reece]

Skybird and a number of others have been carrying the banner for these various operating systems and it may be worth your time to take a look at them. I have used them and have found them to be exceptional. Mine even looks like windows XP / 7.
Yes but how well do they run:
Games
Ham Radio software
Software like Google Earth, Photoshop, Firefox, Outlook Express, Wavelab.
I still use XP, I'll have to update soon, my computer is getting old, the hard drives could die anytime!!:doh:

[Commander Wallace]

Sounds good Commander. Do you have any links for what you're using. I'd like to check out some options. Thanks.


I sent you the links to 3 of them. I hope this helps you.



Yes but how well do they run:
Games
Ham Radio software
Software like Google Earth, Photoshop, Firefox, Outlook Express, Wavelab.
I still use XP, I'll have to update soon, my computer is getting old, the hard drives could die anytime!!:doh:

To be honest Reese, I have no idea how these are used in conjunction with a ham radio. What you and GT 182 should know is that you can have multiple operating systems on a single hardrive and can boot into any one of them on startup. That means you can have a windows system for your games and the other systems for browsing. The other OS systems have a feature which can partition your hard drive upon installation and dedicate a percentage of your hard drive to the new OS. The bad part is that Microsoft may be able to infiltrate the other systems through the Windows OS you already have.

The wine feature allows Linux to run windows applications and software. It should allow games as well. Rockin Robbins knows more about that than I do I'm sure. He has a youtube video of SH4 running on a Linux system with a wine feature. A number of these systems are 32 and 64 bit. The 32 bit systems don't use a lot in the way of resources, including memory and can coexist with XP systems on older computers.

[fireftr18]

Commander, can you send me the links also? Thanks.

[Eichhörnchen]

I've read something about partitioning but not gone into it so far. But forgive my ignorance, CW... do you need separate antivirus/malware for each separate O/S or just the computer? And the suggestion that Microsoft may still be able to interfere with your partitioned system doesn't surprise me either...

[HW3]

I'm in the minority with you Jim, I'm happy with W10.

[Commander Wallace]

I've read something about partitioning but not gone into it so far. But forgive my ignorance, CW... do you need separate antivirus/malware for each separate O/S or just the computer? And the suggestion that Microsoft may still be able to interfere with your partitioned system doesn't surprise me either...


That's not an ignorant question Eichhörnchen but rather a valid point. In most cases, I would say no. If say, you keep XP, which isn't supported anyhow, most won't put it on the internet. It's a hackers dream anyhow. As I mentioned, the other OS systems will operate side by side, just not at the same time. I'm not sure of your provider but some maintain an antivirus software suite within their own servers. If you go through them, you are protected.

It has been proffered that Microsoft intentionally created back doors on their OS systems with which access can be sold by Microsoft to interested parties and organizations. Hackers routinely hack Microsoft systems I'm sure in part because they loathe Microsoft. It's also been suggested that these back doors, if they exist are found and known by hackers and thus exploited.

If you have an older XP unit, my suggestion would be to keep it for games utilizing Windows XP, like SH3 and 4 and use the alternative OS systems, which are fully supported for everything else. SH3 and 4 can't take advantage of the multiple cores of modern PC's anyhow. A single core unit with a decent video and sound card will be just fine for these games.

The other OS's work well enough but may not be well suited for individuals that are into graphic arts and other specialties as Reece has suggested. This is why I suggested keeping a current windows OS and looking into the other OS systems and installed side by side. If the other OS systems fulfill your needs, Make a bootable recovery disc of your current Windows system and then delete it. With the bootable recovery disc, you can always reinstall windows should the need arise. The only other issue is navigating through the various Apps of the new OS. I'm sure most here in Subsim and elsewhere can do this easily with a bit of practice.


I hope this helps Eichhörnchen.

[Eichhörnchen]

Yes it does; I have my XP soopercompooter completely offline, used only for gaming. It will never be used online, so I even have the Windows firewall turned off on this. As you say, an older rig with XP can be best for older games and sims.

[Catfish]

I'm in the minority with you Jim, I'm happy with W10.

It works no doubt, after it upgraded to Win 10 without me wanting it. I could have gone back to Win 7 pro if necessary but i first wanted to try it out.

imho it is not an improvement to Win 7 other than it updates itself without the user having any control about it. In a business environment with programming personnell this is lethal, because any "update" could crash your programming software based on a certain system state and level. This is why you had WSUS servers, to first try it out e.g on a virtual machine, before letting it loose on the company workers.

This has gone. I wonder how long it will take until people realize what this means, let alone you also have no control about updates in personal non business computers, nor what details of your life are being transmited.

You cannot entirely shut off Win 10's transferring your data apart from the Enterprise version. And i would not even believe that.
And this means they are able to transfer all, from your personal files, to eMails, to what you type into your keyboard.

If i were a VW or BMW boss having to rely on US software that can be spied out anytime, i'd be a little concerned.

[Skybird]

I keep an offline gaming computer with XP and wish I could leave it at that, but I need to be online for business so I have to be sure my O/S will remain compatible with all those things necessary for running it... I can't afford to find one day that none of the antivirus or email will work anymore on my old system.

I hate Windows 10 as much as anybody here, but I'm not savvy enough to change over to Apple or Linux... could I still link up with my customers who are still on Windows?
Keep XP off the web. ALWAYS. Its a mine waiting to be stepped upon and blowing you up. Physical disconnection to the internet is the only way to go.

Use a second platform for your online needs. Surfing, emailing you can easily and perfectly do with a Linux Mint system, a dual boot, even a Mint installation on a bottable USB stick (if you install to a USB stick, you can even save and keep working files, emails etc.

Win7 gets mroe and more zombified by Microsoft and turned into W10, all the "telemetry" sniffware, aneforcment of foul and broken updates got reverse-engineered into it. More and more of the "featureS" W10 gets criticised for, got engineered into W7 as well.

I would do precioius work, sensible work and such on a system not running unde rmicrosoft anymore, and preferrably offline. Transfer files you need to send or receive, to another, online platform and send/receve it from there. Be aware that you still run infeciton risks.

Microsoft has done its best to make things tricky, treacherous and untrustworthy, and it now slowoly starts to dawn upon people. The good and easy computer times are over. Its now about handing over our property rights, and freedom. For superficial concepts of "comfort".

If you want a relatively free and secure online platform, Apple and Google are no alternatives to Microsoft. You only have Linux of any form.

Try Mint. As a Windows user you will be surprised how smooth the transfer can be. There are hickups, yes. But most likely fewer ones than you now fear.

You are German, right? Get the Mint introduction book by Dirk Becker. Its perfect to you get you set up. I used it myself as a starting point. The new version for Mint 18 is about to be relased next week, I used the book for verison 17.

https://www.amazon.de/Linux-Mint-/media/linux/CANON_DC/DCIM/137CANON/IMG_2165.JPG/media/linux/CANON_DC/DCIM/137CANON/IMG_2166.JPG18-praktische-Einstieg/dp/3836242095/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474458368&sr=8-1&keywords=dirk+becker

https://www.amazon.de/Linux-Mint-praktische-Dirk-Becker/dp/3836235021/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1474458469&sr=8-2-fkmr0&keywords=dirk+becker+linux+mint+17

Using Mint 17.3 instead of the new 18.0 is no bad idea, btw. You get long time support nevertheless, and the 17 version has most issues ironed out, while 18 is new. Not that I have run into issues with it.

[Skybird]

Jeff, if I can find a reasonably priced disc of Win 7 32bit, I'm going to it and getting away from 8.1. When I bought 8.1 I should have gotten 7 instead. But you know the saying... "You Can't Fix Stupid!.
Make sure it is a fully commercial verison for selling, no OEM. The OEM versions increasingly seem to face problem with activation. Microsoft has moved to hindering or forbidding it. There was an according entry at Woody'S board two or three weeks ago.

"You. Must. Use. W10." - Microsoft.

[Skybird]

Yes but how well do they run:
Games
Ham Radio software
Software like Google Earth, Photoshop, Firefox, Outlook Express, Wavelab.
I still use XP, I'll have to update soon, my computer is getting old, the hard drives could die anytime!!:doh:
Games: check Steam for Steam OS/Linux. You might be surprised what high callibre stuff you find there. I do not say gaming can be switched to Linux. I just say that Steam has set course to do its part. But for gamers, Linux still is no real altenrtaive. Simmers even less. And chess - if you want to make me cry, mention chess on Linux.

You can always try a VR Windows installation on your Linux machine, to have very good chances to run any Windows software. I still have not dived into that, however, it seems my interest is not as big anymore as it once was. But you always run the typical risks of Windows users when running Windows environment in a VR, or via WINE. You can infest your Linux machine with Windows malware, and then distribute it to other systems. You may not suffer yourself, but you help to sprad the pest. And yu inest yournwon files. if you ever use these files on some Windows machine again, for whatever the reaosn is, you have a problem. I have come to recommending self-restraint with using VR, and Wine.

Google Earth: has stability for some people, for others not. For me it works stable.

Photoshop: No clue, don't use it. Gimp comes as default with Mint installation. More software available.

Firefox: Perfect, comes as default browser with Mint.

Outlook Express: don'T know, and why would one want Microsoft software on a Linux system? I even killed two default software components of Mint since they use some Microsoft code. Easy to find replacements for Banshee. I do all video and music via VLC.

Wavelab: don'T know. Audacity for example is available for Linux.

Stellarium: available for Linux.

Care needs to be used when choosing printers, scanners, routers. Do not buy without investigating compatability before. The problems I ran into with Linux, are printer- and scanner related, my router works flawless. (Very old) printer is limited, very old scanner does not get supported. Both Canon. Better choose Brother or HP for Linux. Canon hates Linux and actively opposes it, forming frontline with Microsoft.

[Skybird]

BTW, all this is not what the thread's starting was about. :)

[Commander Wallace]

BTW, all this is not what the thread's starting was about. :)

This may not be what you had in mind when you started the thread. However, we have helped others with regards to issues they may be having with their computers and OS systems. You presented lots of information that members will find helpful as well.

I think it was worth it. :)

[Reece]

My XP is online and has been for years, I use Comodo firewall and Avira virus detector, haven't had any problems in years.:salute:

I might look into duel boot though my C-drive is in a removable cradle, I have spares so I might try a different system on that. Really need 2 drives the same otherwise I have to change the bios settings all the time.:doh:

I hope this DRM crap folds up but I don't see it happening!!

[Rockin Robbins]

A couple of things:


I don't recommend sharing a single hard drive with dual boot. Gets in the way of Windows restoration programs. What you should do is install Linux on a completely separate hard drive and set your computer to boot to it. Linux will automatically install GRUB (GRand Unified Bootloader) which will automatically find Windows and put it in as a boot menu selection. The advantage of this is that your Windows install disk is entirely untouched and unmodified. Windows hates Linux and does anything possible to block it from usefulness on your machine.
If you are just starting out with Linux, I'd start with an Ubuntu derivative: Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Lubuntu, Mint, Elementary OS, OzOs, Peppermint Linux, Linux Lite, you can get a more exhaustive list at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Ubuntu_(operating_system)_derivatives
Remember, the more popular a derivative is the more help you can get. In practice you can go to the Ask Ubuntu (https://askubuntu.com/) or Ubuntu Forums (http://ubuntuforums.org/) and any advice you get there will apply to all the derivatives. Most of them have their own community help forums. The support is MUCH better than anything Microsoft provides.
With Linux, you can avoid the DRM time bomb, which will first injure the customers of the companies that use DRM as the hammer, then the bomb will destroy the companies themselves. That means Microsoft, HP and other companies that are using the DMCA "hammer" are self-limiting. When they go their customers' property becomes unusable and worthless. Identify and avoid these companies (can you say Sony?) immediately. Consider any money paid to these companies a vote for the end of property ownership. Also consider that money wasted.
I run Silent Hunter 4 with GFO, Borderlands 2, Counterstrike GO, Kerbal Space Program, Counterstrike Source, Kyodai Mah Jong, Firefox, Microsoft Office 2003, Thunderbird (Get rid of Outlook or Outlook express! This is better). I haven't tried Photoshop. Gaming is already great on Linux and Steam will make it much better.
Linux is free. All software in Linux repositories are free. Commercial software is available if you want it. As compnies find that Windows 10 cannot be made secure because of unknown, encrypted data dumps to Microsoft servers for unknown purposes twice daily, business software will also migrate away from the evil empire. Linux is free from spyware, adware and malware. It isn't totally immune from outside sources of all three but it is much more resistant than Windows.

After Fall of the Rising Sun Ultimate Edition is published I look forward to cooperating with Skybird, Commander Wallace and others to make a "Get acquainted with Linux" thread.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa293/RockinRobbins13/Workspace%201_562_zpstkkmql3s.png

Look: there's no reason to be intimidated by an alternate operating system any more. You probably already use Android or iOS. Windows tried to take over the cell phone market and snatched an awesome 3% of the market over three years. What does that tell you about being afraid of non-Windows OSes? People already love 'em! In a freely competitive market Windows loses 3-97. That's something of a landslide, isn't it?

Fall of the Rising Sun Ultimate Edition will be the very first Silent Hunter 4 mod put together on a Linux machine. Not only will you be able to play SH4 on a Linux machine but mod SH4 there and publish the mods from there, which will work on Windows machines also. I'm doing my part to ensure the Sun falls on Microsoft, HP, Sony and any other company which tries to build prosperity upon intimidating people with the DMCA and simlar thuggish acts.

[Skybird]

What Robbins said on dual boot on two HDs - just adding that you need to install Windows first and Linux second.

Why? - Linux recognises Windows file structures, but Microsoft does not want Windows to recognise Linux files. So if you install Linux first and then Windows, Windows may or may not overwrite parts or all of Linux, seeing empty HD space where there are Linux data - Linux on the other hand will recognise Windows data, and even can fully handle them, will not overwrite Windows that easily. You can even save data in Linux software in Windows-compatible data formats.

I did dual boot on two HDs for testing Linux for some months. I now use two platforms, one Windows game PC, and a Linux notebook for everything else.

[Commander Wallace]

A couple of things:

After Fall of the Rising Sun Ultimate Edition is published I look forward to cooperating with Skybird, Commander Wallace and others to make a "Get acquainted with Linux" thread.




I'm all for that and as you know, I will do what I can. As I said though, I'm sure you and Skybird and probably others know a lot more than I do regarding these OS systems. My thoughts were to work with these OS systems and see what programs work with them, including Simulations / games and then put post my findings here along with any procedures needed to implement these systems.

Hopefully this work will give everyone options they didn't know they had.

I have found our talks to be valuable Rockin Robbins and I thank you for taking the time out to talk with me and compare findings and results regarding these OS systems. I look forward to working with you.


Best regards. :salute:

[Reece]

I am used to running XP and as I understand it the computer boots only on drive C so if I install Windows on C then set it to D and install Linux on C how can the system boot Windows on D?:hmmm: (I haven't updated for many years)

[Skybird]

When you have Windows on C:, you do not want to install Linux on C: as well, but D: ;)

If you have put in a scond HD into your PC tower, you may need to alter the booting order in BIOS. At least once you got Linux on D.

Linux will install its own boot manager. This should not overwrite the one of Windows. Because: If you remove Linux, then you have no booting manager for Windows. If however Windows boot manager happened to overwrite the Linux boot manager, you cnanot choose on system booting what OS you want to boot in, since Wndows boot manager does not leave such choice, only the Linux manager allows that.

If you are new to it, why do not test it first like this:

Linux Mint 16
https://www.computersnyou.com/2803/create-bootable-live-usb-linux-mint-16-petra-windows-linux-mac/

Or Ubunutu:
http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/create-a-usb-stick-on-windows

You simply need to google and download an ISO file for Mint 17.3 or 18.

What you get is a bootable USB stick that starts your system in Mint withoutn anything chnage don your HD at all. You can chnage and save working files on stick. You can test it all via stick. Stick needs toget booting priority in your BIOS. If you like it, you can install to hD from within the running Mint stick process, there is a button. But you may want to make sure you colelcted some info on that before youbstart it, regarding partition sizes and locations. Its not difficult, but some initial things simply must be known, there is no way around that.

If your system already is EFIS and not BIOS anymore, google for that, things may be different then, HD installation also works a bit different. I have not done that myself so far, so cannot comment on it by experience.

[Skybird]

I should make one thing clear: I am no expert for Linux. I have the experience of the past months since I installed and used it, and not more than that what I did myself in that time. That leads me - and others following in those steps - to where I am, and not further.

So, for more specific questions I recommend to post them in detail and precision at one of the two main forums that there are in English and German, it is here where you can find much more competent help in Linux so-called "terminal's" syntax and commands (the "terminal" is the command line interface of Mint that you sooner or later will run into). In these forums people usually will give you the needed magical spells that you can then just paste and copy into your own terminal window. I cannot provide anyone with that kind of magic, since I have not mastered it myself.

Note and save these links, and keep them easily available in your browser:

International/English forum:
https://forums.linuxmint.com/

German forum:
http://www.linuxmintusers.de/index.php?PHPSESSID=baf329203fdc183bcdf1ab100db7ff 77&action=forum

And once you have installed Mint on HD, you may consider some of the steps in this list, and the lists linked in this:

https://sites.google.com/site/easylinuxtipsproject/mint-cinnamon-first

Mint is designed to be as save and reliable as possible. So if you are in doubt or do not understand one of the steps in these recomemndations list, then skip it and DO NOT DO it. Its no must, its just recommended, its just additional. Its not essential.

[Reece]

Thanks Skybird, I'm getting the general idea, booting off a usb stick is most intriguing!!:yep: I really like this idea as I don't need to change anything just plug in Linux, change bios boot priority and that's it!! Didn't know you could boot off a usb stick!!:)
Will have to figure out how to backup a usb drive then!!:yep:

[Skybird]

Just keep in mind that USB sticks should be understood as a relatively unreliable storage option. They have the nasty habit to stop working for unknown reason, just becasue they decided that now is the time to break. Have backups ready.

Ironically, hard drioves are the safest option to store data for long time. You often can retrieve important data, in parts or completely, even from malfunctioning or broken harddrives, specialist can do that. A broken USB stick is a 100% loss, so is a broken or malfunctioning DVD/CD.

Chose a good manufacturer and a good product, if you tend to make stick-based Linux your main option. Avoid cheap "sales" as well as superfast hjigh tech sticks - which tend to become very hot, and heat and USB sticks is no good combo. A provne, fast USB 2.0 stick is good enough. Also avoids any possible problems that there still are with USB 3.0 connectors not being recognised by your system, maybe. USB 3.0 still is not a ripe and proven standard after all these years!

[Commander Wallace]

Just a quick update :

I had installed a Linux based OS on the same hard drive that had been partitioned with the other side holding a Microsoft platform. The Linux OS was operating perfectly for the first few days. The computer was not online.

A few days passed and I booted back into Linux only to discover the desktop was now gone. Microsoft Windows apparently corrupted the new OS system. Rockin Robbin and Skybird had said it was not advisable to have a windows and Linux based platform occupy the same hard drive and they were correct. I had also said I believed Microsoft Windows may well infiltrate the new OS system. This has turned out to be the case.

The other Nasty surprise I received was My windows 10 was updated on another machine after which all of my settings were changed. I tried to initiate the roll back feature only to discover that Microsoft had disabled that too. I tried to initiate that same feature on a peripheral utilities program and that had been disabled by Microsoft as well.


This may well be an example of the malicious nature of Microsoft

I haven't tried having 2 Linux based OS systems in a partitioned hard drive . I really don't see any benefits of that anyhow. Take this for what it's worth as some of you may feel or believe that Microsoft is a benign entity working in your best interests. Others feel differently which has been well chronicled in the Subsim Forums.


Edit. The computer had been online from the partitioned Linux part. I was putting in a utilities program, office setup and other programs. Also, My Win 10 didn't come with a search feature so I manually installed that as well. When Windows 10 updated, it took that feature away- again.

[Reece]

WOW!! I'm starting to hate Microsoft!! The usb option seems the best for now so I might opt for that using good quality sticks.
Does anyone know if and how to backup a usb stick including "boot sector/partition" ? I always used Ghost in the past, will that work with usb sticks?:hmmm:

[Catfish]

The new major Win 10 update 1607 has been said to screw up a lot of things, however there is a patch out already.

AFAIK Only Win 10 screws up a double boot partition, up to Win 7 all should be ok. No info about Win 8.1 though.

Since with Win 10 you can no longer choose whether to update, or pick out and update certain objects, this all is really becoming a mess. And they do not even care to publish what the upcoming update changes, anymore - not that it would really help you lol.
It is really strange, and i wonder what the people at MS themselves think about it. I guess that is what happens when you let economical streamliners and marketing experts manage a company. They obviously fired all the people in charge for Win XP straight to Win8.1, with only a basic crew to "support" the few old contracts.

[Skybird]

WOW!! I'm starting to hate Microsoft!! The usb option seems the best for now so I might opt for that using good quality sticks.
Does anyone know if and how to backup a usb stick including "boot sector/partition" ? I always used Ghost in the past, will that work with usb sticks?:hmmm:
Don't know, sorry. However, you may want to consider to backup only your work data files, pics, savegames etc, not the complete installation, since constructing a bootable Linux USB stick is easy, and if you do it new in case you need to, you then can use the latest Linux version available, also benefit from new Kernel releases within said versions. I would use the latest available stable Kernel for new installatio,n but I am hesitent to replace old Linux Kernels in an existing installation, this always comes at the risk of something breaking, or software incompatabilties, and if then you do not know how to maintain Linux and operate Terminal very well, you end up reinstalling everything anyway.

Keep it simple.

I als suggest to have all private data saved on external HD or USB sticks anyway, plugging them in also when I work on something. What is not stored on the PC, cannot be retrieved by an invader.

Rewritable DVD maybe also are worth a consideration. I know that years back I stumbled over the possibility to have them set up like a HD, reading and writing to them on the fly, during your work, as if it were a (slower) HD. Maybe somebody recalls the details.

[Catfish]

Is there a VM for Linux, in which you could run a Win 7 installation? :hmmm:

That would get rid of the dual boot...

[Reece]

since constructing a bootable Linux USB stick is easy
Can you point me to where I can find details how to do this? If I purchase a bootable linux usb can it be done from that?:hmmm: Sorry about all the questions, this is all new to me!!:oops:

[Catfish]

Can you point me to where I can find details how to do this? If I purchase a bootable linux usb can it be done from that?:hmmm: Sorry about all the questions, this is all new to me!!:oops:

NP, bootable CDs and DVDs with instructions on how to install them on a USB stick can be found in a lot of computer magazines, however if you want it all working you have to tailor it a bit for your machine, especially when it comes to graphic cards, printers etc.

You can install and uninstall those drivers and options later though, it is usually easier than with Windows, since you do not have to sweat in the *.dll hell. Only problem can be a kernel update (which you can install or not, there is no one urging you, like with the MS world), which then often requires adapted new drivers.

You can also boot Linux from a self made or pre-fabricated (computer magazine) CD/DVD, you just have to enter the Bios and choose from which device should be booted - USB, CD/DVD or Harddisk. Or tell the Bios to ask everytime you boot the PC via a menu, from where you want to boot.

I have only experience installing Linux versions of the german SuSe or the RedHat versions, however they are all not really difficult. It is just another way and mostly easier.

[Commander Wallace]

Can you point me to where I can find details how to do this? If I purchase a bootable linux usb can it be done from that?:hmmm: Sorry about all the questions, this is all new to me!!:oops:

It's not hard Reece. Download the free Linux version of your choice. I would suggest Googling the images of what the desktop looks like to see if you like it. If so, download it and burn the ISO. file to a good image burner.

* Important * Use a good quality Image burner and not software that creates DVD as they are not the same. Use a slow speed as well when burning the Image to eliminate errors. Once done, transfer it to your USB and turn off your computer, plug in the stick and turn back on. Your computer will recognize that and ask if you want to boot into it or the OS you already have.

If you like the new OS, you can then use a DVD creator to create a bootable disc from your files on your flash drive.

[Skybird]

Can you point me to where I can find details how to do this? If I purchase a bootable linux usb can it be done from that?:hmmm: Sorry about all the questions, this is all new to me!!:oops:
There are so many. Google for something like "linux mint bootable usb".

I gave main forum links and examples of instructions for USB sticks somewhere above. ;)

If you really want to move Linux, do not depend on internet stuff only, it really helps if ine has one basic book "Beginner'S Guide to XYZ" on the shelve, yo simply get a more structured overview on some basics. Internet guides often are not complete, some miss these interesting detials, others miss those interesting details.

Also, my guides from the web that I used when i got started, were all good - and in German. :D

A "Linux Mint for Dummys" style of book, look for somethuign thatgets good feedback at Amazon.com. I don't want to cut you short here, I really believe that one beginner'S guide in book format is cna be worth gold. I had such one-book for all for every major Windows OS as well. It helped me to cut short some learning processes, really.

I would strongly recommend everybody that if you do not run on an empty machine/HD, then do not start to install Mint without preparing yourself with some basic knoweldge on what is recommended on the way to partition the HD, and how big each partition should be. Installing Mint really is easy, but some basic elemental starting knowledge is needed here as well.

[Skybird]

this for creating a bootable usb stick:

http://unetbootin.github.io/

this for downloading linux mint 18 iso:

https://linuxmint.com/download.php

I recommend the Cinnamon desktop.

[Commander Wallace]

The new major Win 10 update 1607 has been said to screw up a lot of things, however there is a patch out already.

AFAIK Only Win 10 screws up a double boot partition, up to Win 7 all should be ok. No info about Win 8.1 though.



No Catfish, Widows Vista is the same way. It probably doesn't matter which OS you use as it all comes back to Microsoft disabling your dual OS system installation regardless of the Microsoft OS.

[Skybird]

Yes, it seems to me that I did not physically separate my Linux and Windows7 on two different rigs (instead of dual boot) one month too early...

Its like I expected, the end of GWX camapign is not the end of Microsoft attacking users of older Windows versions. Its getting even messier, if you read AskWoody's blog over the past weeks.

I will reinstall my W7 PC later in the coming weeks, cleaning it then of all non-game-related software and files as well.

OEM versions of W7 have started to fail during activation in increasing numbers another bomb dropped by MS. With bought full versions they seem to not do it, probably due to legal reasons.

There always was the arugment that MS pressed for UEFI replacing BIOS only in a bet for wanting to hinder the installation of Linux dual boot systems. Cannot tell to what degree that is true, I have no experience with UEFI boards. But I read that Linux can be installed on these as well now, you have to do some things different, however.

[Reece]

Thanks guys, I'll see how I go.:yep: