Replies

Take a look at Zorin. I’ve been using it for a few months and it’s close (in looks) to XP and Win 7 depending on which look you choose.

The install included all drivers and everything worked, even Wi-Fi.

JB

You should see a splash screen when you boot. It should tell you which F key to use. Machines differ in the way the boot order is changed. Some you use the up and down arrows and others might use a key combination to change the boot order. It should give you the instructions.

When finished changing the order, Exit and save the changes. There should be instructions as what keys to press to exit and save the changes.

JB

If you are using the Linux Rescue CD most likely it will work on both. If using the PE Rescue Disc it might work. Discs are cheap, so why not burn both for each machine? That’s what I did just to have a backup of the backup.

You simply boot from the disc and see if they work. A Window will appear with instructions. Just back out at the right time.

I would change the boot order and leave it to boot from CD first. It does no harm to the machine. If there is nothing in the CD drive the machine simply goes to the next item in the boot list. If the CD doesn’t boot first you might have a problem changing the boot order if the machine crashes.

JB

Lets see if I have this correct?
1) Linux is a different operating system than XP.
Correct, completely different.

2) It is an ‘open source’ operating system
Yes

3 How does one go about installing it? I imagine you DO NOT first uninstall XP, as that would leave your computer bear, wouldn’t it?
Simply reboot with the install DVD in the drive. You have a choice, you can replace XP or have a dual boot system.

4) So do you install Linux, then discard the XP?
Can be done that way if you wish.

5) Or can you have both running on the computer?
Yes

6) Or do you transfer all of the stuff on your current system over onto another hard drive storage, then transfer that info back to the computer once you have installed the new operating system Linux?
You can do that or network with Windows and transfer data over the network. .

7) Not sure I totally understand this statement, “Windows Programs won’t work but Linux usually has a similar program”
Some Windows programs will work using WINE. Microsoft Word for example, Linux uses LibreOffice. It will read Word Documents and Word will read LibreOffice documents.

8) Is there somewhere I might ‘experience’ Linux before I make the switch?
Download Zorin and burn the ISO file to a DVD. The download is 1.5 GB so a CD won’t work. Boot from the DVD and you will have a choice as to install, or run the Operating System from the DVD without installing.

Give Linux a try. Sure your Windows Programs won’t work but Linux usually has a similar program.

A Linux machine will read most files from Windows and open them with no problems. Such as Word Documents, Pictures, and Music. Just uses different software. Networking and printer sharing with Windows is easily accomplished.

One distro of Linux that has a similar look to Windows is Zorin. http://zorin-os.com/

All it will cost you is the price of one DVD.

Macrium Reflect Free is simple to use and works well. I’ve had to use it on a couple of occasions and I was back in business in about 30 minutes.

JB

Do you have an image backup that was taken when everything was working OK? If so, try restoring that image.

I have a Canon MX860 and one day it cropped up with a fatal motherboard error. Unplugging the printer from the computer cleared the error and the printer worked. Plugged the printer back in and the error reappeared. Like you, I tried all the re installs and still the error. Luckily the day before I had made a system image. Decided to give the system image a try and it worked. Printer has been working well since the image restore.

Not exactly the same as your problem but worth a try if you have an image.

JB

If Malwarebytes doesn’t fix the problem consider Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper Beta.

JB

If you haven’t already, try a full system scan with Malwarebytes free. Also, System Restore may be infected as stated by BruceR. I would clear all restore points and create a new one after running Malwarebytes.

JB

I’ve used http://www.chordie.com/ for years with no problems.

JB

Try these:

Unplug the modem for 30 seconds. Plug back in and allow all lights on the modem to come back on.

Restart the computer.

Change the password and allow the computer to find the new network.

Unlikely but possible, your devices don’t support WPA2. Drop back to WPA and see if it makes a difference.

Try running the Network Setup Wizard on the machines. (located in the Control Panel) Usually that’s all you need to get things going. The wizard should guide you through the necessary steps and with minor tweaking it should work.

Run the wizard on the machine with the printer first. When the wizard finishes it will ask about saving the information. Save the info on a flash drive and then run the wizard on the other machines from that flash drive. I’ve used this method on numerous XP networks and it hasn’t failed yet. (no guarantees on the 2000 machine) When/if you run the wizard on the wireless machines you may encounter a screen that states “A Network Cable is Unplugged”. If you see this screen, be sure to use the “Ignore this Device” option, otherwise it may screw up your wireless settings.

Also, you may have to do some tweaking to your firewall to allow the network to function.

After reading this thread more closely I don’t think your set-up will work unless your router has a print server built in or you purchase a stand-alone print server. As far as I know the printer must be connected through a computer or a print server and not directly plugged into a router.

The other option would be to establish a home network and set up file and printer sharing. The drawback to this is that the computer the printer is connected to must be on for other computers to print.

JB

On your wife’s XP machine go to Control Panel > Printers and Faxes > Add a Printer. Click on Add a Printer and when the wizard appears choose, A network printer, or printer attached to another computer. Follow the wizard and you should be good to go.

JB

This is not an answer to your question but a possible solution to the problem. I would recommend investing in a UPS (universal power supply) such as this. When the power goes out the UPS takes over and your system never knows anything happened. The improper shut downs are terrible on your equipment and will most likely eventually lead to a system failure.

JB