On Saturday, the Windows Vista system on my laptop decided it didn't want to boot any more. It's a preload, so I don't have any install media. What I do have is the backup I made when I first bought it. This should return it to the factory defaults.
I ran that restore and it appeared to complete successfully. But when I attempted to boot it, it declared that it had found problems that meant i would have to do a complete re-installation. That isn't possible because my system is a preload. I had just attempted all that it is possible to attempt.
In comes Ubuntu 8.10. I installed that to a USB pndrve, thinking I may be able to somehow resurrect Vista by booting anoher system and having a lurk around. Nothing obvious appeared.
Instead, I did a full install of Ubuntu Linux into a new partition using space stolen from the Visa system partition. I wanted to make a fresh backup of my data file before trashing he whole thing and starting over with preload restore one more time.
But Ubuntu Linux 8.10 has been doing a great job. It recognised all devices (including Broadcom B43 wireless and my Epson 1670 scanner) except my MS Lifecam VX-3000, which is replacable, and it looke like the video editing package, Kino, now includes filters / converters that let me import the MPEG videos my digital camera produces. Video editing was one of my main issues with Linux and why I was using Vista.
Linux just keeps getting better and better. *Almost* there!
Daily review 15/09/2025
4 hours ago
Recently I've come to realise there's very little keeping me on Windows bar Flight Simulator X. I've played with Linux before, heck I even develop software for Linux where I work, let me know how it goes and I might be joining you shortly!
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