I was an early Linux geek back in 1999 and 2000, partitioning my own hard drive and running a dedicated server for cross platform data transfers at work and database/ queries.

Marriage killed my geek, gave away everything. Divorced finally, and still homeschooling my last three. I have lots of software from Windows that will not run on 10 platform then remembered LINUX!

Can someone tell me if I am on the right track for buying a new laptop, then installing Linux in order to run these programs I spent time and money to use on my minions?

Hi farmerchick and welcome to LQ,

Linux does not run Windows software.

Perhaps when you say old Windows software that you are referring to executable files for Windows or DOS. Still the same problem, these do not run in Linux.

One possible option is WINE, which is a form of Windows emulation software that runs under Linux. I've never felt it was worthwhile and instead if I need a Windows system, I then maintain a Windows system and keep my Linux system separate.

Actually WINE is not an emulator but it probably your best bet to run the legacy software. More commonly known programs might be in the application database. Lesser known programs might not be listed but could run anyway.

About distros, Ubuntu or Linux Mint are easy to install and maintain. You could try a live DVD or a live USB stick. Some shops will let you use the live images to see if they boot.

Hi! Give VirtualBox a bit of thought. Simultaneous Win98 on Win7?
What's your current PC/OS/ram/disk?
p.s. Maybe vDos/DOSBox. Linux on XP via VBox works fine

*grin* ... I knew someone was going to point this out ... ;-) ... Let's call it a "compatibility layer" ...

ANYWAY, to farmerchick, as mentioned above, linux doesn't natively run Windows or DOS software. Options I would explore:

1) Install an old version of Windows that IS compatible with the software you want to run. If you're talking 1999-2000 vintage, go with Windows 98 SE. Challenges will be making sure your hardware is compatible with the ancient version of Windows (and even getting your hands on the installation sources of Windows 98 SE ...).

2) Install linux and Virtualbox and set up a Windows 98 SE guest virtual machine to run your old software. You'll still need the Win98 SE installation source, but hardware compatibility will not be an issue.

3) As mentioned above, you can try Wine. Wine is pretty ingenious, but in my experience, it's hit or miss with respect to what can be run on it. When it DOES work, it's quite impressive. I use it for several pieces of software fairly regularly (Sonos Desktop Controller ... every day ... MS Office 2007 ... off and on ....).

Cheers :-)

No offense, but you had lots of software from Windows.
Welcome. You will have to elaborate some.

Virtualbox > Windows > <do_stuff>
6G+ of RAM on the host would be sweet. "host" here is your current everyday desktop machine.
2G+ of RAM for the guest is minimum, IMO. "guest" here is the Virtualized application (this includes Windows)
Virtualbox | First Steps

Depends on version of Windows.
and the software involved.

There are some alternatives and few replacements, IMO.
Have a read of The ultimate guide to Linux for Windows users

Two current solutions exist for desktop users:
dual boot and
virtualization

Each having benefit and bane, I suppose.

Getting a Windows Desktop environment is not that difficult a solution, but it is daunting to a new person.

Hardware specs of the existing
CPU/Mem/VideoCard:{Vendor,Model} details would be helpful.
I'd avoid if possible (Radeon/AMD of late, and the 950M mobile chip, if Laptop), but my prejudices there are somewhat dated.
nVidia here.


Read up those 2 pages in that order is my advice
The ultimate guide to Linux for Windows users
Virtualbox | First Steps
There are lots of guides and lots of articles, but experience says save your money, for now.
A whole new system may be just the ticket. I did on 2012 and 5 years later, I finally run Cinnamon.
This thing has "enough" and yet, I was running an older, less beefy version of another desktop I got from my laptop in 2008! Crazy.
I've had Windows XP/SP3 in Virtualbox since 2010.

Let us know!

1 members found this post helpful.

What is the software you want to use? There may be an similar alternative application that works in Linux.

Thanks for the tips and reminders. I was wondering about WINE and if it was still around, and had heard buzz over my sequestered years of Linux variations becoming more user friendly and able to handle some Windows applications. Two I find useful are Mavis Beacon Typing version 18 and SimCity 3000 for homeschooling, among others. I haven't purchased a laptop yet, and debated about going to an older stable version of Windows 7 professional (would purchase a new license), or save $$$ and partition Linux leaving the horrid 10 in place. I also welcome ideas for laptops if I go the Linux direction. My homeschool curriculum base is Robinson, and I'm pretty sure I can run that on Linux with either WINE or another interface. It's pretty simple programming.

Pretty much everyone above covered the standard ways. A third may exist also. That is to run a vm of ReactOS.

for dos programs dosbox might be a better solution.
i think dosbox is specifically designed to run old (games,programs).

1 members found this post helpful.

+1 ... I've used dosbox for dos games - it is quite impressive.

I'd get a copy of Windows XP off of eBay.com and install it on whatever hardware you have. If all you want is to run Windows software, you really don't need Linux.

Welcome! Do you currently have a PC? How much did you want to spend? 4? (3kids+you)

I suspect the "geek" in YOU wants to enjoy the FUN of Linux! 'GO for it!'

>... "(would purchase a new license)" ...
-I- wouldn't spend=waste any $ on evilM$Win, since most PC's include it 'free'.

Here's a 'megaThread' I like, about old PC's (&worse scraps).
I believe you could get old but use-able 2G ram XP desktops for $20 each (Or did you only want laptops? Used laptops tend to be way over-priced). I've seen new-refurb 4G Win10 desktops from Fry's for <$80 (no monitor tho); laptops: double$+

Of course, be careful not to waste $ on getting stuck with something that fails & can't be returned. Also beware a few recent laptops that don't work well with Linux!

Anyway, LQ is AnswerHeaven for you p.s. easyVB Oh: 'your' Robinson link

I know budget constraints rule situations like yours. So did a little research.

Dell Laptop

It is not the latest and greatest. But specs are respectable and the price is cheap. You won't have to locate any missing covers or do some tinkering to locate and install missing hardware. Something I do from time to time.

Good luck with the life style change.

Edit: If me. I'd make a best offer of 130 bucks and save 10 bucks.
Then cross my fingers.

If the software in question is for 16-bit Windows (e.g. Windows 95) then you could have many problems running that software in any modern-day environment.

I would first contact the vendors of that software: surely they have updated it since they published the copies that you now have.