Free, fast OS for a laptop.

[B1gg3stN00b]

I'm looking for a free and fast operating system for this laptop that has similar compatibility and system usage as XP, but without the 100$ price tag.

I cannot find a Linux distro that works with Atheros Wireless drivers or my M-Audio MIDI interface, which also does not work with Vista.

[FatForester]

The whole "free" thing narrows it down to basically Linux. If you have Home Premium 64, you can still do the down grade through Microsoft to get XP. As far as Linux goes, try Ubuntu. Someone probably has the same issues as you, so there's a higher chance of it being fixed, if it isn't already.

[B1gg3stN00b]

I've tried 8.04 but I can't get anything to work!

[Thermopylae_480]

I'm looking for a free and fast operating system for this laptop that has similar compatibility and system usage as XP, but without the 100$ price tag.

I cannot find a Linux distro that works with Atheros Wireless drivers or my M-Audio MIDI interface, which also does not work with Vista.

I think you're chasing unicorns with this idea. Linux is really your only option, and you're not going to get the compatibility of Windows with Linux; certainly not without effort.

If the corporations that created your wireless and audio devices don't produce a Linux driver you are definitely going to have a difficult time.

[spearman914]

Stay xp....... vista is TOTALLY crap with laptops. I have my inspiron 1525 with vista premium 32-bit and it runs like sh!t with intergrated graphics. Try XP-64, if don't like it get linux....

[B1gg3stN00b]

My HD is already partitioned from the copy of 8.04 I used to have on it, however I think I'd like to try XP 64 if I can find it.

[Easy Rhino]

you shouldnt have a problem finding atheros drivers for your wireless card. atheros is actually the prefered chipset for linux users because there is a lot of online support. if it is an older card however you may have to do a small amount of tweaking. as far as your audio card, you shouldnt have a problem getting sound, but you wont be able to use any of the advanced features unless the comany that made the card has linux support.

[B1gg3stN00b]

It's not an audio card, it's a MIDI device for a MIDI controller input into a program like Reason 4 or Sonar 7.

Which is another reason I'd like to avoid Linux. Not having those would defeat the purpose of a working MIDI interface.

[Easy Rhino]

It's not an audio card, it's a MIDI device for a MIDI controller input into a program like Reason 4 or Sonar 7.

Which is another reason I'd like to avoid Linux. Not having those would defeat the purpose of a working MIDI interface.

ahhhh. alright then. i guess you should just get the cheapest version of XP.

[B1gg3stN00b]

How does the downgrade to XP work?

[Easy Rhino]

How does the downgrade to XP work?

what do you mean?

[B1gg3stN00b]

From Vista?

[panchoman]

i doubt the midi would work in linux but the atheros would, you might be better off with windows 2000, really stable and fast os, by far the best version of windows i've used..

[Easy Rhino]

From Vista?

oooo, so your lappy came with vista and you dont want to use it? hmmm...well the downgrade is simple if you get xp you can just wipe out vista with a format and do a clean xp install.

[Solaris17]

elive great stuff works amazing on old laptops and the hardware support is good :)

go here

in filezilla

Host:lg3.info
USN:guest@lg3.info
PASS:guest

browser

ftp.lg3.info

usn and pass are the same

go to the linux distros folder and DL enjoy :)

[Wile E]

Look around in here for info on recording and MIDI input. http://linuxaudio.org/

[Oliver_FF]

On Ubuntu 8.04 your best bet for wireless is to use ndiswrapper and the windows drivers - they work pretty well. Google "ndiswrapper atheros wireless" ;)

[Solaris17]

also try fedora core9 its amazing stuff the functonality isnt bad what so ever and it pre configures everything for the most part........im running x64bit fedora and it detected my wireless card my SB lycosa copperhead etc and everything is working fine i can even use the multifuntion buttons...any my

SB live! 24bit and
Belkin wireless adapter from 01 arent the newest tricks in the bag and it supported it out of the box i was totally surprised when it said heyt now connected to "trobertson" i was like w0ot!

[Easy Rhino]

also try fedora core9 its amazing stuff the functonality isnt bad what so ever and it pre configures everything for the most part........im running x64bit fedora and it detected my wireless card my SB lycosa copperhead etc and everything is working fine i can even use the multifuntion buttons...any my

SB live! 24bit and
Belkin wireless adapter from 01 arent the newest tricks in the bag and it supported it out of the box i was totally surprised when it said heyt now connected to "trobertson" i was like w0ot!

what wireless card you have?? i did fedora 9 on a stick and it didnt recognize my wireless card :mad:

[Solaris17]

Belkin 54g usb

heres my part num

F5D7050A

its because Fedora 9 specialized in Ralink chips and offered full support for the full range if you dont have a ralink chip things might be flakey for you...and i just got lucky because when i was modding the 64bit usb drivers for windows i turns out belkin used 2 diff companys ralink and some other no name brand.

[PartyLikeARockStar]

You may want to try Ubuntu Studio (32-bit) http://ubuntustudio.org
or Studio 64 (64-bit) http://64studio.com/ If anything is going to support your MIDI device(s), these should be the most painless of the options on your plate. Also, Ubuntu has some of the best community support via IRC and forums.

Great audio/video utilities, and as others have said, Ubuntu + ndiswrapper = wireless. I can vouch for it. My VAIO has an Atheros wifi card, and there are lots of guides on getting ndiswrapper up and running.

[Easy Rhino]

Belkin 54g usb

heres my part num

F5D7050A

its because Fedora 9 specialized in Ralink chips and offered full support for the full range if you dont have a ralink chip things might be flakey for you...and i just got lucky because when i was modding the 64bit usb drivers for windows i turns out belkin used 2 diff companys ralink and some other no name brand.

hrm, i have a wireless n card so maybe that is the problem :shadedshu generally if the card has the atheros or ralink chipset the major linux flavors support it. hrm...