linux Linux for a laptop

[Wizbang]

Alright so here's the deal.....

 

I got a laptop running vista from someone. Laptop has the infamous redirect virus on it. Ran TDSS Killer and got some, ran MBAM and got some but still would redirect. Ran CCcleaner, it did nothing. Ran MB Antirootkit, it found the rootkit trojan. Also ran Windows defender, but now the laptop is stuck in BSOD loop. I can't do a factory restore for windows because it won't let me for some reason. I have looked all over google and I am stuck. Would it be in my best interest to wipe the drive completely and install Ubuntu on it? I have an enclosure and a separate 2.5 drive to plug into the laptop in order to wipe the infected drive. This is for someone who is used to running windows but I am wondering how hard it is to get used to Linux.

[PiNoY]

I can imagine how hard it is for someone who's windows user all his time but if you can give him the support on the needed learning curve, am sure it will take some time, but he will get used to it. but if no one will give him support, and too lazy for google, he might end up having a bad experience with linux then.

 

whether we like or not, there's a possibility that the problem would repeat again on what he had experience now. an option is to have dual boot. so that he can use both worlds also. and once he's settled with ubuntu experience, he can decide for himself then and make the change.

 

meanwhile, if the guy is a plain desktop user like email, and browse, I think it wont take time for him to adjust easily. if you can feed him on how to solve problems in linux like installing firefox or evolution, and get the kickstart on doing things inside ubuntu, goodluck!

[Wizbang]

Thanks for the input.

[DontShootUK]

I would deal with the virus myself or spyware or ven re-install windows first. Linux is starting to look like MAC-IOS or windows but when it goes wrong you need to be a bit a geek. If you just want it to work MAC, if you want more apps and games but dont mind odd maintenance Windows, if you want speed, productivity but steep learning curve when it goes wrong then Linux.. why not dual boot to give it a go first or boot linux from USB pen to see.

[parrot]

Installing Ubuntu is the first step on the road to recovery from Windows addiction

[PiNoY]

One reason that I use windows is when gaming, and skyping to my dear ones, but the rest, I can do on Linux better. We have handful of of linux users here I believe so when trouble comes in, am sure you can find your way for solution here and there. So time for a change for your friend too

[rolf]

If you are not familiar with Linux I suggest you shouldn't (dare to) install it for someone else, but that similarly holds for Windows, MacOS, *BSD, etc.

 

The other will have problems with switching (although solvable), but you need to be able to help your friend as well. If you don't know Linux, don't let him be an experiment for you. Simple test, if you can find your way into console/SSH _and_ you have used Linux for a couple months as well (and didn't run away from it), you should be fine. Otherwise, just reinstall Windows.

[Wizbang]

If you are not familiar with Linux I suggest you shouldn't (dare to) install it for someone else, but that similarly holds for Windows, MacOS, *BSD, etc.

 

The other will have problems with switching (although solvable), but you need to be able to help your friend as well. If you don't know Linux, don't let him be an experiment for you. Simple test, if you can find your way into console/SSH _and_ you have used Linux for a couple months as well (and didn't run away from it), you should be fine. Otherwise, just reinstall Windows.

Thanks rolf. This helps a lot. It would definitely be an experiment. Guess I need to get a Vista disk.

[rajaah thunder]

i haven't run away from linux in 2 months ubuntu certainly has the potential to beat windows . [ gaming is a bit of a concern for now ]

 

ofcourse, u may sometimes need to google for answers but for the most , it has been a smooth experience .

[PiNoY]

Ubuntu desktop by most experience can handle new windows users. Most typical apps are already installed, like for user browsing, and email clients. The thing that bothers most windows users is only psychological imho, the way they do things before and call app names before . Like, a user tried to go to My Documents, but there's no My Documents in Ubuntu...it is called Documents , mostly terminology and app names. Am sure he will get used to it. Another example, Recycle Bin? It's called Trash in Ubuntu

 

So having said that, I guess it's good to go for you. I highly recommend stepping into a new desktop adventure!

[rolf]

^^ Partly true. I've had my experience with Windows/Linux/*BSD for a while, along with the large number of DE's, but if you are that used to a specific OS, switching isn't easy. How do you find a substitute for MS Office on Linux? Without getting into the debacle whether Open-/LibreOffice is better or worse, it is different and getting used to it will take more time than you want. If you only use IE, Firefox/Chrome/etc is good enough and you're done indeed.

 

However, that was not the real question here. Can you recommend it to someone else with less computer experience than you without ever having used it, knowing you'd the the first line of helpdesk? No. Definitely not. Far from it. Never. Don't even seriously consider it. Etc.

[Wizbang]

Yea I guess that's my main concern rolf..WIll I be called upon alot more because they need a program comparable to something else and don't know where to get it or also the inevitable "I saved something but don't know where it went."