need computer advice and help

[tismyself]

I have a 6 year old (or so) Gateway that I bought in the last month of Windows ME. It is starting to have some issues now, but I believe they are related to ME not being supported by a dern thing anymore. The machine itself seems to be just fine, I take it apart occasionally and clean it as the innards don't seem to appreciate cat hair.

I do not want to upgrade to the new Windows because I don't think my version of AutoCAD will work with it. My questions are, can I switch over to Linux and if so, does anyone know of directions on how to go about this that are written for people who don't speak "tech"?

[mainegreen]

1. Find out what versions of Linux your AutoCAD supports/recommends (if any).

Many versions of linux out there, and some are damned easy to install, like Fedora and Ubuntu.

Installing tends to be 'insert disc and click ok'.

It's that easy now.

[tismyself]

2. oh no

Entire versions of Linux? This is not for the faint of heart, is it.

If I insert the disc and click OK, what becomes of Windows ME? Will it still be there somewhere? Don't I have to take it off somehow?

[mainegreen]

3. If you are going for dual boot, find a techie friend, lure them to your house w/beer & pizza.

Feed them and give them booze.

They will set it up for you.

[tismyself]

7. I don't know what a dual boot is!

Whaaaahhhhh!!!!

I used to be a verb, now I'm just obsolete.

:cry:

[tismyself]

4. dang

AutoCAD 2002 apparently will not work with Linux at all.

Is there anything else I can do? I hate to abandon the CAD.

[mainegreen]

5. CAD programs for linux:

http://www.tech-edv.co.at/lunix/CADlinks.html

[tismyself]

8. hey... wow

Some of this looks like big fun - thanks for sending the link.

[Symarip]

6. I recommend Ubuntu (a linux build) for a few reasons

A. It's easy. REALLY easy. The instructions are easy and it asks you easy to understand set up questions during the install process. Everythings just as plain as pie.

B. If you buy it at best buy for like, 12 dollars, it comes with tech support and you can call any time to an 800 number. I seemed to remember reading that they went out of their way to get decent tech support so you might even get to talk to an American.

C. I want more Ubuntu friends. Actually, I don't have any friends, period. Want to grab a beer later?

Edited to add: you can make it dual boot which is easy to set up too, so you can keep your auto cad stuff over on one partition.

[tismyself]

10. Seriously!

"so you can keep your auto cad stuff over on one partition"

So my computer will be split in two? And the older non-supported half won't drag down the new and improved side? This is interesting.

[Symarip]

11. There's a ton of different ways of doing it

You can partition your hard drive, or for a little more money, buy a new hard drive all together for your new OS. A guy that works in the super secret lab with me here in DC has a three boot system: Windows Visa, OsX(86), and Linux. All on one big hard drive. It's pretty cool.

[tismyself]

13. Really?

Good lord!

[hobbit709]

9. Autocad 2002 will run on Windows 2000

So there shouldn't be any problems running it on XP. But I would wipe ME and put 2000 or XP on it if you want to use Windows. ME was microshaft's biggest mess until they came up with Vista

[tismyself]

12. ok....

I had considered that as a possibility. With this option, I would need to take ME off first, and then install XP - is that correct?

And then, if I have ME off... how would I install XP? Would it be the same process as an upgrade? Insert disc etc?

[DarkTirade]

14. ME = the worst OS Microsoft ever put out.

Seriously, I'd rather run the first versions of Windows 95 or 98 than that piece of fecal matter.

[tismyself]

15. that's what I hear

I don't know why my ME hasn't had all the problems I've heard about, but until the past two weeks, it has never given me a minutes worth of trouble.

I went to this computer with ME from a 486 with Windows 3.1, which was just great.