Current version by: hackerb9
Text:
| [This is somewhat of an answer, but is more of an example to help people understand my question.] | |
| The sort of general “XP replacement repair guide” I was thinking about would be short and sweet. It shouldn’t be very detailed and wouldn’t cover every situation (e.g., the WLAN hardware mentioned in @Nick’s answer). It’d be maybe 10 steps and give just the minimum information, sometimes linking to other guides. For simplicity, it should make presumptions even if they’re not optimal. For example, only the 32-bit (x86) version need be mentioned since it will always work and 64-bit XP machines had so little RAM that a 32-bit OS works better. Likewise, L’ubuntu is one of dozens of reasonable choices from the GNU/Linux flavors, but the guide I’m suggesting would pick one instead of offering the cornucopia. | |
| == EXAMPLE XP REPLACEMENT REPAIR GUIDE == | |
| - | |
| - | * WHAT: Upgrade Windows XP to a modern, secure operating system with the latest web browsers. The system will be L’ubuntu, which is free and has no need for antivirus software. This guide can also be used to recover files from an XP computer that no longer boots. |
| + | * WHAT: Upgrade Windows XP to a modern, secure operating system with the latest web browsers. The system will be [https://lubuntu.me/|L’ubuntu], which is [https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.en.html|free] and has no need for antivirus software. This guide can also be used to recover files from an XP computer that no longer boots. |
| * WHY: XP is inherently dangerous to use on the Internet. | |
| * TOOLS NEEDED: USB flash drive, at least 2GB in size, with no valuable files on it. A network connection. | |
| * OPTIONAL: Another USB drive to backup your current Windows XP documents. | |
| * TIME REQUIRED: One hour. | |
| - | * NOTE: ''This is a general repair guide and does not attempt to cover quirks of some hardware. If this guide does not work for you, you will need to find a more specific guide for your computer.'' |
| - | * Download the 32-bit “x86” version of L'ubuntu from lubuntu.me then download and run the Rufus program. |
| + | NOTE: ''This is a general repair guide and does not attempt to cover quirks of some hardware. If this guide does not work for you, you will need to find a more specific guide for your computer.'' |
| + | |
| + | |
| + | |
| + | # Download the 32-bit “x86” version of L'ubuntu from [https://lubuntu.me/downloads/|lubuntu.me] then download and run the [https://rufus.akeo.ie/|Rufus] program. |
| ** Rufus will completely overwrite your USB drive with the L’ubuntu ISO file you downloaded. | |
| - | ** If you have trouble, you can follow a simple guide for Rufus here. |
| - | ** If your computer isn’t working well enough to do this, borrow a friend’s just for this step. Alternately, you can buy a bootable L’ubuntu flash drives or CDs from sites like osdisc.com. |
| - | * Plug it in and boot up the computer while rapidly hitting F12. If it boots into Windows, reboot and try again with a different key: Delete, Esc, F2, etc. [This section should have a link to a guide on various BIOSes] |
| - | * Use arrow keys to select boot from USB and hit Enter. [Put sample BIOS screenshots here] |
| - | * At the GRUB menu Select "Try L'ubuntu" (or just wait ten seconds). |
| - | * A demo of your new OS will load up, but slowly since we haven't installed it to the hard drive yet. |
| - | * Try it out and make sure it works for you. If you are not able to connect to WiFi, '''stop now'''. This general guide does not cover nuances of WiFi hardware. |
| - | * Plug another USB drive into your computer and use the File Browser to backup your Windows files. This is optional but '''''important''''' as in the next steps you will erase the Windows XP system, including all files. |
| - | * Double-Click on "Install Lubuntu" from the desktop. Follow the menu options and answer the questions. Most are straight-forward, such as your name and your WiFi network. The default answers should be correct except for two places: |
| - | ** Choose "Install on entire hard disk" instead of "Install alongside Windows OS". |
| - | ** When asked, “Write new partitions to drive?” Select "Yes". |
| - | * Let the installation run. It will take some time, perhaps up to thirty minutes, as it will download the latest software updates. In the meantime, you can continue to try out L’ubuntu by switching back to the browser. It won’t harm anything to play some Solitaire or watch YouTube while it installs. |
| - | * When the install is finished it will ask you to reboot and remove the USB drive. That’s it, you’re done! |
| + | ** If you have trouble, you can follow a simple guide for [https://tutorials.ubuntu.com/tutorial/tutorial-create-a-usb-stick-on-windows|Rufus] here. |
| + | ** If your computer isn’t working well enough to do this, borrow a friend’s just for this step or [https://www.osdisc.com/products/lubuntu|buy a flash drive] with 32-bit L’ubuntu already installed. |
| + | # Plug it in with the computer off and reboot. |
| + | ** If your system boots into Windows, reboot and try again while holding the F12 key to open the boot menu. (F12 is most common, but Esc, F2, and F10 are possibilities.) ''[This section would have photo of person holding F12, with background of the BIOS screen saying “Hit F12 for Boot Menu”].'' |
| + | ** The mouse will not work in the boot menu. Instead use arrow keys to select an entry similar to ''“Boot from USB”'' and hit Enter. ''[Put sample Boot Menu screenshots here]'' |
| + | # At the GRUB menu, select "Try L'ubuntu" (or just wait ten seconds). ''[Grub Menu Screenshot]'' |
| + | # A demo of your new OS will load up, but slowly since we haven't installed it to the hard drive yet. |
| + | # Try it out and make sure it works for you. If you are not able to connect to WiFi, '''stop now'''. This general guide does not cover nuances of WiFi hardware. ''[Screenshot of clicking on WiFi icon]'' |
| + | # Plug another USB drive into your computer and use the File Browser to backup your Windows files. This is optional but '''''important''''' as in the next steps you will erase the Windows XP system, including all files. ''[Screenshot of dragging My Documents to USB drive]'' |
| + | # Double-Click on "Install Lubuntu" from the desktop. [Screenshot] |
| + | ** Follow the menu options and answer the questions. Most are straight-forward, such as your name and your WiFi network. The default answers should be correct except for two places: |
| + | *** Choose "Install on entire hard disk" instead of "Install alongside Windows OS". ''[Screenshot]'' |
| + | *** When asked, “Write new partitions to drive?” Select "Yes". ''[Screenshot]'' |
| + | # Let the installation run. It will take some time, perhaps thirty minutes, as it will download the latest software updates. In the meantime, you can continue to try out L’ubuntu by switching back to the browser. It won’t harm anything to play some Solitaire or watch YouTube while it installs. |
| + | # When the install is finished it will ask you to reboot and remove the USB drive. That’s it, you’re done! |
| + | Enjoy your new system and if you need help, please visit [https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Lubuntu|https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Lubuntu]. |
Status:
open
Original post by: hackerb9
Text:
[This is somewhat of an answer, but is more of an example to help people understand my question.] The sort of general “XP replacement repair guide” I was thinking about would be short and sweet. It shouldn’t be very detailed and wouldn’t cover every situation (e.g., the WLAN hardware mentioned in @Nick’s answer). It’d be maybe 10 steps and give just the minimum information, sometimes linking to other guides. For simplicity, it should make presumptions even if they’re not optimal. For example, only the 32-bit (x86) version need be mentioned since it will always work and 64-bit XP machines had so little RAM that a 32-bit OS works better. Likewise, L’ubuntu is one of dozens of reasonable choices from the GNU/Linux flavors, but the guide I’m suggesting would pick one instead of offering the cornucopia. == EXAMPLE XP REPLACEMENT REPAIR GUIDE == * WHAT: Upgrade Windows XP to a modern, secure operating system with the latest web browsers. The system will be L’ubuntu, which is free and has no need for antivirus software. This guide can also be used to recover files from an XP computer that no longer boots. * WHY: XP is inherently dangerous to use on the Internet. * TOOLS NEEDED: USB flash drive, at least 2GB in size, with no valuable files on it. A network connection. * OPTIONAL: Another USB drive to backup your current Windows XP documents. * TIME REQUIRED: One hour. * NOTE: ''This is a general repair guide and does not attempt to cover quirks of some hardware. If this guide does not work for you, you will need to find a more specific guide for your computer.'' * Download the 32-bit “x86” version of L'ubuntu from lubuntu.me then download and run the Rufus program. ** Rufus will completely overwrite your USB drive with the L’ubuntu ISO file you downloaded. ** If you have trouble, you can follow a simple guide for Rufus here. ** If your computer isn’t working well enough to do this, borrow a friend’s just for this step. Alternately, you can buy a bootable L’ubuntu flash drives or CDs from sites like osdisc.com. * Plug it in and boot up the computer while rapidly hitting F12. If it boots into Windows, reboot and try again with a different key: Delete, Esc, F2, etc. [This section should have a link to a guide on various BIOSes] * Use arrow keys to select boot from USB and hit Enter. [Put sample BIOS screenshots here] * At the GRUB menu Select "Try L'ubuntu" (or just wait ten seconds). * A demo of your new OS will load up, but slowly since we haven't installed it to the hard drive yet. * Try it out and make sure it works for you. If you are not able to connect to WiFi, '''stop now'''. This general guide does not cover nuances of WiFi hardware. * Plug another USB drive into your computer and use the File Browser to backup your Windows files. This is optional but '''''important''''' as in the next steps you will erase the Windows XP system, including all files. * Double-Click on "Install Lubuntu" from the desktop. Follow the menu options and answer the questions. Most are straight-forward, such as your name and your WiFi network. The default answers should be correct except for two places: ** Choose "Install on entire hard disk" instead of "Install alongside Windows OS". ** When asked, “Write new partitions to drive?” Select "Yes". * Let the installation run. It will take some time, perhaps up to thirty minutes, as it will download the latest software updates. In the meantime, you can continue to try out L’ubuntu by switching back to the browser. It won’t harm anything to play some Solitaire or watch YouTube while it installs. * When the install is finished it will ask you to reboot and remove the USB drive. That’s it, you’re done!
Status:
open