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Linspire

I purchased and installed Linspire the other day.  I have two laptops both running XP.  My thought was why not setup Linspire (aka Lindows) on one of the laptops.

So my Dell laptop, being the older of the two, was nominated for this task. I figured the HD could use a good formatting anyway.  The install was a no problem at all.  I was able to attach to our network without a problem as well.  I was also able to retrieve files from the storage server (a windows server) without any sort of challenges.  I was impressed that all this worked without me having to configure anything.

I toyed around with Linspire pretty much all day and some of the night.  I couldn't actually come up with what I would use this OS for.  I develop using .Net and have a "play server" running Mandrake Linux.  So I did what any geek would do.  I reinstalled XP.

Since I purchased Linspire I didn't want to be out the money for something I wasn't going to use.  I wrote Linspire an email stating that I used the OS for a day and really didn't see how it would be of benefit to me and then I asked for a refund.  I expected that this was going to be one those situations of sending e-mail's back and forth.  I was wrong.  Linspire replied with "your card has been credited".  Again I was impressed.

While I don't see myself using Linspire I will say they do have a nice and easy install and based on my short experience they have pretty good customer service too.

Now since I do have a port replicator for the Dell laptop I am doing the "multiple monitor" thing using the display on the laptop and a View Sonic View Panel monitor..so far I like it.  I plan on hooking my second laptop up to it as well.  I have a KVM switch.  What I don't get why don't laptops have ports for hooking up a keyboard AND a mouse.  I guess you could if you have a USB mouse and USB keyboard..but the KVM doesn't work with USB.  Don't worry...I have an idea.

Why am I doing all this?  Well I was bringing two laptops back and forth everyday...another geek thing

We will talk about my Dell laptop experiences another time.

Print | posted on Thursday, July 29, 2004 3:07 PM |

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# re: Linspire

jim says:"Linspire is a great OS. There are many new apps appearing each week"

It's OK if you want to purchase a stripped down OS that requires a yearly subscription to download the Linspire bastardized and outdated apps. The most recent versions of those apps are 100% free and many are usually included with free Linux distros. Under 2000 apps available for Linspire at this time, over 8700 for other Debian based distros. Apps with known vulnerabilities should be a concern, hopefully Linspire is keeping up with this.

jim says: Can you say virus free?

How about worms and root kits? Any OS can be cracked, how many listening services does Linspire install with? ~10 the last time I checked. Also note that the firewall installs with many visible ports if you're concerned with the "stealth" thing. Are your IP tables, chkroot kit and anti-virus packages up to date? Again, hopefully Linspire is updating packages.
12/23/2004 9:25 AM | Anon
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# Problems with Linspire

I have a linspire copy. I tried installing it several times in my AMD K6 machine (A pro 2200) but this was a total disaster. First, the isntalation could'nt go beyond 75%. It generated an error code 200 .... rsync failed. Well since I was running a dual boot of windows xp and windows 98, i decided to go back to my good old windows. The windows worked well.
I discovered i had installed the Linspire on a slave disk that had many of my vital data and programs. What a blunder. I thought i had installed it on a partition on a bigger disk. Now this is a 4GB hard disk. During installation of Linspire, it was partitioned and Raiserfs was choosen as the file system.
I booted the computer with a Knoppix live cd so that i could see the contents of the hard disk. (Remember the installation of Linspire had failed at 75%) The hard disks' linspire files were visible but all my data was gone (obviousely) ;-(
Now can anybody out there give me a solution of how to recover my much coveted data? I know in technology nothing is impossible. Anybody please?
1/18/2005 10:34 AM | lordmwesh
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# re: Linspire

I just stumbled upon this blog, look im on Linspire right now. I use it on my laptop for school, i happen to love it also i did a paper on free software advocates because i support the linux world and so should anyone. Why would you not want to, in the first place microsoft has made certain that everything will be proprietary and we will always have to pay high dollar for software. Linux has a history that predates 1971, also DOS/windows was created by what Unix/Linux. And for those who cant quite seem to install, well read up there is a page on the home site that has all the hardware specs for you to check out so i'd suggest one thing an upgrade because i've tested Linspires capabilities and she's powerful. I have a nice network here at home 3 pc's 3 xbox's one of the pc's is Linspire can u guess which one.... n e way it's on a windows network, yes Lindows is compatible there too iv'e been browsing all the open shares and have had no problems.
2/28/2005 12:00 AM | Asmodeus
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# re: Linspire

hey all. im looking into this whole linux thing, and to be honest, i'm REALLY interested. but one question lingers.... will linspire run my pc games? seems like a great thing, (by great, i mean cheap) anyway, that'll do er.

(email me at cody@ratliffwebdesign.com)
3/30/2005 10:28 PM | cody
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# Unistalling Linspire

I bought i computer with linspire already on it. I poked around for a bit and decided that it wasn't for me. So i put in my windows xp cd and nothing happened. It wouldn't run. I even attemped to repartition and format the HD and install windows xp, but when i put the xp cd into the drive it wouldn't run. I've tried thrid party software and windows startup discs but nothing seems to help. What do i do?
4/11/2005 7:43 PM | Heelz
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# re: Linspire

Have you tried downloading a DOS (or Win 98) boot disk and setting your BIOS to boot from the floppy. From there you can FDisk the partition away and reformat. Then you can reinstall Windows.
4/20/2005 9:06 AM | Berty
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# re: Linspire

I m new to linux, and i was wondering if Linspire can access all the windows files without mounting drives or without additional softwares.
thnx
5/2/2005 7:02 AM | newb
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# Linspire not a problem

from Heelz:

Unistalling Linspire
""I bought i computer with linspire already on it. I poked around for a bit and decided that it wasn't for me. So i put in my windows xp cd and nothing happened. It wouldn't run. I even attemped to repartition and format the HD and install windows xp, but when i put the xp cd into the drive it wouldn't run. I've tried thrid party software and windows startup discs but nothing seems to help. What do i do?""

Are you sure your hard disk is visible in the BIOS? Is it detected during the bootstrap of the system? If so, is your CDROM drive in perfect order? This problem you are facing is not with linspire. Either you dont know what you are doing or you have a hardware problem.

Any partitioning software like Microsoft's FDISk, Partition magic, Acronis boot manager, Linux bootable cd's and floppies will all be able to partition any HDD. Pull up your socks.
5/16/2005 8:04 AM | lordmwesh
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# Linspire not a problem

from Heelz:

Unistalling Linspire
""I bought i computer with linspire already on it. I poked around for a bit and decided that it wasn't for me. So i put in my windows xp cd and nothing happened. It wouldn't run. I even attemped to repartition and format the HD and install windows xp, but when i put the xp cd into the drive it wouldn't run. I've tried thrid party software and windows startup discs but nothing seems to help. What do i do?""

Are you sure your hard disk is visible in the BIOS? Is it detected during the bootstrap of the system? If so, is your CDROM drive in perfect order? This problem you are facing is not with linspire. Either you dont know what you are doing or you have a hardware problem.

Any partitioning software like Microsoft's FDISk, Partition magic, Acronis boot manager, Linux bootable cd's and floppies will all be able to partition any HDD. Pull up your socks.
5/16/2005 8:04 AM | lordmwesh
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# re: Problems with Linspire

"I know in technology nothing is impossible"

Hey but with any technology, it is not possible to recover data from a disk formated with a different file system. You said you see files of linspire also. It obviously means that you previous files are overwritten. Sorry buddy no one can help you.
ps: make a habit of taking back-ups of your data
5/27/2005 10:19 AM | Guhapriyan
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# re: Linspire

i also cannot get linspire off my computer . i cannot get xp to boot from disk nor winows 2000. how do i get linspire off my system. computer is brand new and came with linspire, all hardware works fine
7/18/2005 2:42 PM | neil
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# re: Linspire

i also cannot get linspire off my computer . i cannot get xp to boot from disk nor winows 2000. how do i get linspire off my system. computer is brand new and came with linspire, all hardware works fine



FDISK
7/30/2005 8:32 PM | DENNY
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# re: either its me or linspire

Just got linspire installed and ready to rumble when I Stumble upon what may be the biggest downside of linspire. Since I got it installed on my computer its worked fine but I just cant seem to install anything . I know it doesent stock with exe files but what in heavens name do I then use for installing my games and programes from windows with.....PLZ help
8/2/2005 5:25 AM | Zip
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# re: Linspire

Your question:
i also cannot get linspire off my computer . i cannot get xp to boot from disk nor winows 2000. how do i get linspire off my system. computer is brand new and came with linspire, all hardware works fine

Answer.
I have been playing around with different flavours of Linux and Linspire 5 Live was one of them.But put Linspire Live aside,I installed Mandriva 10.2 and then decided I wanted to get rid of it. I used the Windows 98 Startup floppy and type A:\fdisk /mbr (note the switch )This will take care of the MBR that was written for Linux in your case.Then use fdisk again to delete all your partitions.I use my trusty Partition Magic 8.0 floppies which does magic for me.I hope this will help you in getting rid of Linux from your HDD.Cheers
8/10/2005 1:11 AM | LeetzGeek
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# Linspire rocks

I have Linspire and Windows XP Pro on a dual boot boot PC.
Personally I use linspire for most things such as anything on the internet.
Really the only thing I use Xp for is when either I want to play a WINDOWS computer game or somthing.
I don't go on it much because there isnt much point.
Linspire is good but it still has a microsoft air to it - for instance CNR is kind of irritating And it keeps trying to sell you commercial linux software (star office) when there is free open source which is better (openoffice). If this irritates a lot you would proberbly be better off on pure debian (www.debian.com) but i think its a 8 cd install which must take longer than linspires 6 minute install buts then again its better to windows xp install listening to them going on about what an amazing , award winning browser(?! :P ) Internet explorer is.

All you who want to get rid of linspire. first get the operating system you want to put on put in the CD etc
rebooot the PC then tell it to instwall the Pc and to use the whole disk

when it finishes linspire will be gone
I still dont understand why you would want to do that though !

Open source Linux Rules
8/11/2005 7:58 AM | TIM
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#  Linspire

I just downloaded a linspire live cd and i want to installl it on the hard disk . can anyone help me with it. Thanks
8/24/2005 8:17 AM | Chuck
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# re: Linspire

i'm using a linspire OS but i can't install the wine to make some windows application run... is there some one can help up there... on step by step of intalling wine... pls.... i realy had a bad mode this... i need to install the wine to make some games run on linspire...

thanks in advance to people out there who can help me.
9/17/2005 4:35 AM | Lle
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# re: Linspire

New to Linspire,
I attempted to use Linspire Live cd. (Gee, it takes so long to install.) I chose the option to run the cd without installation. The Linspire screen appeared to be loading up, then the screen went black with only the cursor or the arrow visible. Nothing happened after that, the screen remained black. I rebooted. The condition remained the same. (After a twelve hour download, I expected more than a black screen.)
What happened? Please, can someone advise me on how to correct this situation. (I heard good things about Linspire and would really like to try it.) Is it worth it?
9/19/2005 2:20 AM | Rita
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# re: Linspire

Yeah, same thing happens with me on an HPZD7020US notebook. Black screen, computer obviously trying to do something, but frozen solid.

Not very "inspiring" to make me think about installing Linspire on a dual boot system.

9/30/2005 4:54 PM | Bill Quick
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# re: Linspire

please help
i get only option of running livecd and no option of installin linspire 5 how to go
10/2/2005 12:44 AM | navendu
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# re: Linspire

Ive just had a go at running the linux live cd but to no avail. Its gets so far at loading then crashes with the screen going pixellated with a prompt. I also had a go at installing the full version of suse 9.1 PE on a dual boot with win xp but again that caused problems. Linspire is pants, they could at least provide an error message with brief explanation why the program failed.
10/6/2005 1:24 PM | Crowlips
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# re: Linspire

i jus installed Linspire on my first partion of the hda hardisk n installed the boot manager on /dev/hda1 itself n didn't touched the MBR .the initial boot delay or timout of the default selected OS(Linspire) is 10 sec, i want to make it to 0 sec for some testing purposes , but i can't fine the .conf file in which i shud make the changes ...........n also the lilo.conf is also not editable .............

All the people who say Linspire who say Linspire rock plz help me out

Gaurav
gaurav.in@gmail.com
10/26/2005 4:42 AM | Gaurav
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# need help

i got a computer with linspire 4.5 preinstalled on it and i would really like to use windows xp but evreytime i put my windows disk in my computer it wont boot from the disk so if anyone can tell me how to do this or make this disk bootable that would be great thank you
11/16/2005 2:09 AM | gothguy
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# re: Linspire

i just ran linspire live on my dell 4500 and it didn't support my usb keyboard or my optical ps/2 mouse, anyone have any ideas why.
11/27/2005 1:39 PM | James Waldecker
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# re: Linspire

i can not get linspire off my computer
12/9/2005 7:24 AM | josh
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# re: need help

Quoted Text:
got a computer with linspire 4.5 preinstalled on it and i would really like to use windows xp but evreytime i put my windows disk in my computer it wont boot from the disk so if anyone can tell me how to do this or make this disk bootable that would be great thank you
----END QUOTE----

Check your BIOS settings, it must be set to check the CD drive BEFORE the Hard Disk for the Windows CD to work.
1/2/2006 8:20 AM | Eric
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#  Linspire and error 21

I have rencently bought a system with Linspire on it. After the first boot up all seemed well pc was running fine even after I installed new memory. I had also added another hard drive from my old laptop, again I added it with no problems. I then moved my new pc tower. I had no problems until I added a new DVD burner into the system, I have now done everything that myself and my fellow geek friend can think off, the hard drive doesn't seem to be failing I've wiped the system, and still nothing. I've tryed reinstalling windows xp numous times, and still the same error.
Error 21
Please help me.
2/17/2006 10:55 AM | Raven Fyre
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# re: Linspire

"""i also cannot get linspire off my computer . i cannot get xp to boot from disk nor winows 2000. how do i get linspire off my system. computer is brand new and came with linspire, all hardware works fine""""

For those wanting to remove any LInux O/S off their machine, I recommend you use GDisk.
GDisk (look for a download under Google' is part of Symantecs (i think) partition magic.
It removes all Windows & Linux partitions.
FDisk WILL NOT, remove a Linux partition as some people in this forum have stated.
Use GDisk.....removes all partitions....then carry on with normal Win XP install from CD as normal
cheers
3/22/2006 6:52 PM | joeblow
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# re: Linspire

"""i also cannot get linspire off my computer . i cannot get xp to boot from disk nor winows 2000. how do i get linspire off my system. computer is brand new and came with linspire, all hardware works fine""""

For those wanting to remove any LInux O/S off their machine, I recommend you use GDisk.
GDisk (look for a download under Google' is part of Symantecs (i think) partition magic.
It removes all Windows & Linux partitions.
FDisk WILL NOT, remove a Linux partition as some people in this forum have stated. It will only remove FAT 32 partitions, which are Windows partitions.
Use GDisk.....removes all partitions....then carry on with normal Win XP install from CD as normal.
Boot with GDISK in floppy drive, then on 'a' prompt type a:/gdisk^1^/del^/all where ^ is a space.
Click 'y' to confirm deletion of all partitiions. Done!!!
cheers
3/22/2006 6:56 PM | joeblow
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# YO! JoeBlow! Obviously a windows rebel you are...

Fdisk works fine for any partition deletion! lol.

Please go here folks I think this is the correct site...

http://www.ss64.com/bash/fdisk.html

WsX R1Master
9/28/2006 1:52 AM | R1Master
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# re: Linspire

will windows run on a linspire computer? How do i get internet with linspire?
8/16/2007 12:28 PM | brandi
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# re: Linspire

I have two hardisks in my computer if i install linspire on the primary one will i be able to acces the data on my second harddisk which has two partitions by the way
9/10/2007 5:33 AM | J.
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# re: Linspire

Help please! I am not a computer guru though I am pretty savy with most programs. I have a computer for my son that my husband purchased via the internet last year. It has Linspire. I went to download the wireless network USB adapter and it gave me an error stating that the cd I put in needed windows to operate. So I got a copy of windows and went to install it and got the same error. Now I have a pc with no internet upstairs. What do I do?
1/15/2009 11:58 AM | Jeannie
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