Linux on older systems?
 

Hello everyone. I'm not really a Linux newbie, but I haven't messed with it in a LONG time - the last time I was screwing around with it was in '99 on an old Pentium200mmx system. I liked it, and it wasn't too hard to get up and running (biggest issue was getting Xwindows to work w/video card. I think I was using Mandrake 6.0 at the time, with an early version of KDE. Unfortunately, I had software that I needed to use that would only run on Windows. So, I stuck with Win98......

....until I "upgraded" to a faster computer - which is merely a Pentium Celeron 500 with 256mb RAM, and an ATI 9550 video card w/256mb running WinXP. Which brings me to my question - I may purchase a new "cheap" system from Dell for the kids, and use this as my office computer and network server exclusively. However, with WinXP it seems sooooo sloooooow now. So, I'm considering a few options: 1)wipe it clean, install a Linux Distro with possibly a dual-boot to WinXP for the few apps that I need that only run under Windows; 2)same as 1, except dual-boot an older Windows version (like 98 or 2000, or maybe NT); or 3)just wipe it clean and reinstall WinXP or maybe an older version of Windows and live with it. Any suggestions? I want it to be my server for my home network (currently, all my files are backed up on this machine over the network on a 200gb internal drive, and it is connected to my printer/copier/scanner/fax). I use my laptop mostly, but do need to access my files and printer over the wireless network. I'm not sure if my scanner & fax features will work under Linux - I don't think Canon has any drivers for Linux, hence the dual-boot option. This may be a pain though, having to reboot into Windows to use the scanner and such. So, anyone want to give me some advice? Thanks in advance!

Any new system will be more than enough to run Linux.

I recommend Xubuntu.

I'd have to agree with the above. Linux has come a LONG way since you last used it, and you'll be quite amazed how easy the *buntu's are to use.

What programs do you need that are windows only? Are they compatible with Wine?

IGF

I'm sorry, I must not have been clear on what my intentions are - and now that I've re-read my original post, I see why......

What I want to do is use the older computer as my office/network computer - the new computer would have WinXP or Vista (whatever it comes with) and would be used exclusively by the kids. See, currently they use the older one that also acts as my office/network server. So, if I need it, they can't be on it. I try to use my laptop for most everything, but sometimes I need to use the scanner or something - so they must get off for me to use it.

So, the current computer stays as the network server/office computer - but possibly gets Linux rather than WinXP, if possible. Keep in mind that if I can't get the proper drivers for the scanner, I might be forced to stick with Windows. I really wish that there was a way to convert Windows drivers to Linux drivers, or recompile Windows software to run on Linux. Personally, I like the idea of a software that runs on any system, regardless of operating system and hardware (much like how Java runs on any system with Java installed). I can't wait for the day that hardware doesn't matter, and any program I need will run on my system. I'm sure it's just a dream though......

So 1st tell us the brand of the scanner.
Then the software you want to use or which you're using in windows and you want them also in Linux.
Then we can help you.

Well, for one, my printer/scanner software, which came with my Canon Pixma 750 - it's called MP Navigator v1.0. It allows me to scan documents and save them in different formats, but most useful to me is saving in .pdf format (which it does). Now, if an equivalent program was available for my Pixma that runs under Linux, then I'm all set. Also, I have some software that I use for my Scan Tools (for work) that have software that doesn't have Linux equivalents, and likely never will - so I will have to use WinXP (unless they happen to run under WINE, but I'm not sure if they will or not - I'd have to experiment with it). BTW, my Celeron 500 is always on - I only reboot it when I have to, usually due to a software update or something. But it just seems to be getting slower and slower as time goes on (typical of a Windows system).

I've been checking Linux out again, to see if it's viable as an alternative, but I'm still "learning" what's changed. I am aware of the WINE project though. Are there any other alternatives to getting Windows software to run under Linux? Thanks!

virtualBox, vmware, xen (should be able already) Virtualization does the trick
TurboPrint the Project of your choice for the Canon.
Canon PIXMA MP750
Color inkjet printer, max. 4800x1200 dpi, works Mostly
Recommended driver: canonpixusip4100.ppd
Generic instructions for: CUPS, LPD, LPRng, PPR, PDQ, no spooler
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canonpixusip4100.ppd
This driver is available from the Canon (japan) FTP site, see ftp://download.canon.jp/pub/driver/bj/linux/ Installation details are at http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=1380393

odcheck- So the driver is available, but how about software to scan - twain driver I think, plus some app that lets me scan and save as pdf? I wasn't really worried about printing so much as scanning. Thanks for the help.