Net book operating system help please

[funkydan]

Hi,

My new Acer Aspire One arrives today, with Linux installed as the OS. While I wouldn't be adverse to using Linux, I need to run XP on the netbook as I need to install my windows version of Photoshop on it. Also, wifey will be scared of Linux - she fears change!

So, I have an authentic Windows XP upgrade disc, with the registration key number or whatever it's called. My plan was to connect my external CD/DVD drive to the netbook and install XP. But will it be that simple? Can I use the XP 'upgrade' disc? If not, as I have the registration key, can I ask Microsoft for a disc? Do I need to uninstall Linux first or something?

I would appreciate your advice, in Layman's terms, many thanks

[Taka]

As far as I'm aware, an upgrade disc will not work because it searches for a previous version of Windows as part of the install process.

If you're desperate for XP, have a search around online for an OEM copy which can be had quite cheap. Failing that, computer fairs are also good places to pick up legit OEM install discs.

[funkydan]

Dammit, I thought that would be the case! Might see if there's a full copy of XP at work that I can borrow

Will Linux need to be removed before installing XP?

[JamesS]

I think with XP you just have to put in a CD from a previous Windows version to do a clean install of the upgrade version (it'll ask you for one during the setup if your computer doesn't have an existing version of Windows on it).

[Taka]

Did some digging around and JamesS is right, you'll need one of the following during the install process:

Windows NT 3.51 Workstation, Windows NT 4.0 Workstation, Windows 2000 Professional, Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows Millennium Edition.

[saif]

Give Linpus a go, I have the Aspire one and the 15s boot time is frankly the most useful thing in a netbook for me.
If your GF fears change, it is unlikely that she will be doing any admin and so, once set up, it is as easy to use as Windows. Go to the start bar equivalent and then use the program - it will just run quicker and be less likely to crash.

[funkydan]

Did some digging around and JamesS is right, you'll need one of the following during the install process:

Windows NT 3.51 Workstation, Windows NT 4.0 Workstation, Windows 2000 Professional, Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows Millennium Edition.

Ah right ok, I think I may have an old Windows 98 disc at home somewhere. If not, I'll just borrow the full version of XP Pro from work and use that rather than the upgrade.

Give Linpus a go, I have the Aspire one and the 15s boot time is frankly the most useful thing in a netbook for me.
If your GF fears change, it is unlikely that she will be doing any admin and so, once set up, it is as easy to use as Windows. Go to the start bar equivalent and then use the program - it will just run quicker and be less likely to crash.

As I said, I need my Windows version of Photoshop to run on the netbook, and that requires XP. I'm doing a lot of festival photography this summer and need to be able to process photos at the festivals.

-----

Thanks for your help guys.

I still don't know if Linux needs uninstalling prior to my installing XP though - will it? Or will XP remove it as it installs?

[huxley]

try the 7 beta, my aspire one runs faster than it ever did with xp.

[Paulos G]

GIMP is a fully featured photo package that runs fine on Linux and is free. If you can use photoshop you'll have no problem using GIMP.

There are also ways of getting windows programmes running on Linux using WINE. You'd need more expert advice than mine to get that working though.

[EJG1980]

I still don't know if Linux needs uninstalling prior to my installing XP though - will it? Or will XP remove it as it installs?

During the XP setup process you can delete all the partitions on the disk, create a new one and format it, which will remove any trace of Linux before XP starts installing.

[abigsmurf]

GIMP simply doesn't compare to Photoshop. It's fine for minor editing but nowhere near as good for advanced features. Also suffers from the OSS curse of horrible user interfaces.

I use it as work for minor editing but that's only because I don't do enough editing to warrant asking my boss for a £500 licence