Running Linux on a VGX-TP1

[BiscuitTin]

Is it possible to run Linux on a VGX-TP1?
If so, which flavour is best? SuSE? RedHat? Ubuntu?

I'm am so frustrated with the limitations and annoyances of Vista that I would prefer to downgrade to Windows XP , but apparently even if I wanted to pay for it, it is not available anymore. This remaining option is Linux. I know Linux takes a lot more work to set up than Windows but I'm prepared to do this and get a fully functioning operating system rather than put up with a neutered and disfunctional Vista Home Premium!

[ShanieAIBO]

You can still buy a copy of Windows XP on eBay, and some other online retailers still sell new copies of it too. Personally, if your going to use a Linux on a TP1, I would go with Ubuntu though, due to the great Vista-ike user interface and features. But then again it all depends on what you want. You could install both Linux and Windows together in a dual boot if you can't decide or wish to try them all out first before getting rid of your Windows. I would try get a copy of Windows XP though and downgrade rather than use Linux as you may use features of your TP1. An OEM version can cost you around £60 for XP Pro. Have a look around online.

[BiscuitTin]

Thanks Shanie.

Presumably I would need Windows XP Media Centre Edition though rather than XP Pro? Or can you get the the Windows Media Centre software on XP Pro? The reason I ask is because I already have a spare XP Pro, but I does not come with WMC and I didn't think you could put WMC on it.

[amit_jain_14]

Thanks Shanie.

Presumably I would need Windows XP Media Centre Edition though rather than XP Pro? Or can you get the the Windows Media Centre software on XP Pro? The reason I ask is because I already have a spare XP Pro, but I does not come with WMC and I didn't think you could put WMC on it.

why do u need the wmc, personally i would prefer xp pro, did ur tx came with vista business or homer prem? the reason i ask coz if u have vista business than u dont even need the xp pro lic, u just call micrsoft after installing xp pro from a cd and they activate it coz of the downgrade rights under vista business.

[Sealbhach]

I'm running Vista and Ubuntu 8.04 on a dual-boot. I hardly ever use windows, I'm all Ubuntu now - it's such a joy to use compared to windows.
I have a VGN FZ21M.

Why not ask at the Ubuntu forums? Just include some specs such as CPU, graphics card, any additional requirements.

www.ubuntuforums.org

.

[BiscuitTin]

Personally I also much prefer Windows XP Pro to Windows Media Center Edition, but it doesn't come with the Windows Media Centre software. I'm told there is other medial player software out there but I'm struggling to find a decent alternative. I have VLC - plays many formats but it doesn't play TV. I also have XMBC - nice, but again no TV. Downloaded JRiver - rubbish. Does anyone know of or use anything better?

I'll also have a look at Ubuntu. Thanks Sealbhach.

[BiscuitTin]

I'm running Vista and Ubuntu 8.04 on a dual-boot.  I hardly ever use windows, I'm all Ubuntu now - it's such a joy to use compared to windows.
I have a VGN FZ21M.

Why not ask at the Ubuntu forums? Just include some specs such as CPU, graphics card, any additional requirements.

www.ubuntuforums.org 

.

Thanks for the link Sealbhach .

[kee-lo_]

TP1 would be perfect with MythTV.
http://www.mythtv.org/

[BiscuitTin]

I'm running Vista and Ubuntu 8.04 on a dual-boot.  I hardly ever use windows, I'm all Ubuntu now - it's such a joy to use compared to windows.
I have a VGN FZ21M.

Why not ask at the Ubuntu forums? Just include some specs such as CPU, graphics card, any additional requirements.

www.ubuntuforums.org 

.

Sealbhach, how did you get Ubuntu 8.04 to run? I have booted from the CD (burned from the ISO) and tried to run Ubuntu 8.04 from the CD. I got the logo, but after the screen just went blank and I could get no further. I tried the safe VGA option, but that didn't work either. I thought that perhaps it had switched to the HDMI interface (I'm having to use VGA) so I connected it up, but was still getting a blank screen. Curiously, the same problem happened when I booted from the Gparted CD (I wanted to resize the Vista partition) which is also based on Ubuntu. I haven't actually tried to install Ubuntu yet because I need to repartition the drive first to make room for it.

The problem does not occurr when I boot from my SuSE Linux DVD though. Unfortunately, the partition manager on SuSE does not allow me to resize and although I have tried to get MythTV and other media programs working on SuSE in the past, I had very limited success, but that's another story...