Stop Microsoft

All Things Microsoft => Microsoft Software => Topic started by: Jenda on 31 May 2005, 01:29

Title: No sane person would/could/should - no insane person should
Post by: Jenda on 31 May 2005, 01:29
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314458 (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314458)

Did you notice how they send you to the Linux documentation for the really important stuff?
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NOTE: Windows XP and Linux can coexist on the same computer. For additional information, refer to your Linux documentation.  
   
 Not to mention that step 1 of the instructions is on using your "Linux Setup floppy disk",
 
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The Linux operating system is generally installed on partition type 83 (Linux native) or 82 (Linux swap). The Linux boot manager (LILO) can be configured to start from either of the following locations:
       
 What idiot wrote this??? THE Linux boot manager??? What the hell!

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d. Type w, and then press ENTER to write this information to the partition table. Some error messages may be generated (because information is written to the partition table), but they should not be significant at this point because the next step is to restart the computer and then install the new operating system.
     
 Some errors may occur. Get used to it, you are now a Windows user, right?

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f. Insert either a bootable floppy disk or the bootable Windows XP CD-ROM, and then press CTRL+ALT+DELETE to restart your computer.
     
 Will this work in the Linux environment? Not that I know of...

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Microsoft does not support the installation of Windows XP on partitions manipulated in this manner.
Of course...
 
 ET CETERA...
Title: Re: No sane person would/could/should - no insane person should
Post by: piratePenguin on 31 May 2005, 01:51
A HOWTO on removing GNU/Linux and replacing it with Windows XP. I wonder how many people would actually consult that particular HOWTO.
Title: Re: No sane person would/could/should - no insane person should
Post by: xyle_one on 31 May 2005, 07:16
Probably someone who was unhappy with Linux and wanted XP?
Title: Re: No sane person would/could/should - no insane person should
Post by: piratePenguin on 31 May 2005, 07:31
Yea. Right.
So they go check microsoft.com to get a helping hand.
Right.
Title: Re: No sane person would/could/should - no insane person should
Post by: muzzy on 31 May 2005, 07:41
They refer you to the linux docs, because there are lots of different Linux distributions out there. Obviously, they can't cover them all.

Funny that you laugh about the "linux boot manager" instead of how it says linux system can be installed on the swap partition. Obviously the details are incorrect and it's stating irrelevant stuff, but so what?

Also, ctrl+alt+del reboots in many linux systems, or at least it used to do so back in the old days. It was configurable, and I remember I used to have it bound to "shutdown -r now"

The documentation probably serves those who need it just fine. It's not written for you. Use the feedback box at bottom of that page to tell them how you'd correct and/or improve the descriptions. Go ahead.
Title: Re: No sane person would/could/should - no insane person should
Post by: mobrien_12 on 31 May 2005, 08:04
(Throwing in $0.02)
If I recall correctly,  GRUB wasn't really mature at the time that particular piece of MS documentation waa written, so "the" linux boot manager isn't bad... just outdated.
Title: Re: No sane person would/could/should - no insane person should
Post by: Refalm on 31 May 2005, 11:46
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f. Insert either a bootable floppy disk or the bootable Windows XP CD-ROM, and then press CTRL+ALT+DELETE to restart your computer.

From /etc/inittab
Code: [Select]
ca::ctrlaltdel:/sbin/shutdown -r now
Yep, seems to be all right.
Title: Re: No sane person would/could/should - no insane person should
Post by: xyle_one on 31 May 2005, 19:18
Quote from: piratePenguin
Yea. Right.
So they go check microsoft.com to get a helping hand.
Right.

Maybe some people just don't know what the fuck and need to check the site of the company that created the OS they want to install?
Title: Re: No sane person would/could/should - no insane person should
Post by: piratePenguin on 31 May 2005, 19:46
All ya needa do is put in the XP CD and delete all the partitions. It's not rocket science, and a HOWTO is definetly not necesary.
And I wouldn't say too many people would actually consult and follow that HOWTO, even if they *do* want to remove GNU/Linux for XP.
Title: Re: No sane person would/could/should - no insane person should
Post by: toadlife on 31 May 2005, 19:58
Quote from: piratePenguin
All ya needa do is put in the XP CD and delete all the partitions. It's not rocket science, and a HOWTO is definetly not necesary.
And I wouldn't say too many people would actually consult and follow that HOWTO, even if they *do* want to remove GNU/Linux for XP.

To some people that is rocket science. Most non-techie computer users don't even know what a partition is, let alone how to delete one.
Title: Re: No sane person would/could/should - no insane person should
Post by: xyle_one on 31 May 2005, 20:09
The Windows installer wasn't exactly friendly. It is much easier to install Linux I think.
Title: Re: No sane person would/could/should - no insane person should
Post by: Aloone_Jonez on 31 May 2005, 21:14
Most people have never had to install Windows as it came pre-installed with their PC, this is why they'll have a hard time installing any operating system.
Title: Re: No sane person would/could/should - no insane person should
Post by: piratePenguin on 31 May 2005, 23:25
Jesus.
Well then, I must've gotten some amount of geek points when I used to reinstall Win95. DAILY!
Title: Re: No sane person would/could/should - no insane person should
Post by: Aloone_Jonez on 31 May 2005, 23:45
Often non tech people get their friends to do their dirty work. I've installed Windows 95/98/ME before on friend's machines but I have yet to have to install Windows 2000/XP it just goes to show how much better Windows has become.
Title: Re: No sane person would/could/should - no insane person should
Post by: BobTheHob on 1 June 2005, 00:27
Quote from: toadlife
To some people that is rocket science. Most non-techie computer users don't even know what a partition is, let alone how to delete one.
I agree some people may have trouble installing windows. Although I must differ with the argument that knowledge of Rocket Science is not relative. There is no easy versus hard Rocket Science
Title: Re: No sane person would/could/should - no insane person should
Post by: Jenda on 1 June 2005, 01:50
[rant]Sometimes I feel this is turning into a we-love-MS forum [/rant]

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The Windows installer wasn't exactly friendly. It is much easier to install Linux I think.

I agree there. ubuntu was a breeeze.

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Probably someone who was unhappy with Linux and wanted XP?

Nah. You think?
Title: Re: No sane person would/could/should - no insane person should
Post by: piratePenguin on 1 June 2005, 02:09
Quote from: Jenda
[rant]Sometimes I feel this is turning into a we-love-MS forum [/rant]
I was thinking that too. Except I would've said a we-HATE-MS-but-we-LOVE-their-software-and-we-will-support-MS-to-the-bitter-end forum.
Quote from: Jenda
I agree there. ubuntu was a breeeze.
Mandriva has, IMO, the easiest install wizard there is. Ubuntu is pretty easy too, but it uses ncurses (no X11), and it's partitioner isn't the best (can't install to free space on an NTFS partition (where it should make NTFS partition smaller and make some partitions for GNU/Linux), if I recall).
Title: Re: No sane person would/could/should - no insane person should
Post by: Jenda on 1 June 2005, 02:25
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(where it should make NTFS partition smaller and make some partitions for GNU/Linux), if I recall).

IT DOES!!! I tried it! It resized a 20 Gig NTFS to 14, and created beatiful, shiny ext&swap partitions!
Title: Re: No sane person would/could/should - no insane person should
Post by: piratePenguin on 1 June 2005, 02:42
Nice one. I never knew it did that. I used partition magic on my cousin's pc to make the ntfs partition smaller. It could be a new thing in ubuntu, or I must've missed it :(

I'll have to install Ubuntu after the exams... So I can convert some more misguided Windows users, and help out the community, I hope.
Title: Re: No sane person would/could/should - no insane person should
Post by: piratePenguin on 1 June 2005, 03:03
Quote from: piratePenguin
I was thinking that too. Except I would've said a we-HATE-MS-but-we-LOVE-their-software-and-we-will-support-MS-to-the-bitter-end forum.
* taking the thread even more off-topic.
Let me elaborate (note that I haven't said above whether this is a good or bad thing). This is the Microsoft Eradication Society. That means that we want to see, and be a part of, the end of MS (at least as they are now. Their power). I would've guessed that our plan would be to notify people of the alternatives, and help them make the switch (which generally isn't easy, with all the lock-ins et cetera) from ALL Microsoft products.

I don't think I've seen anyone argue that MS is good, or that they are not evil. Some people defend MS products because they think that some MS products are treated unfairly on this particular site, which is fair enough.

There's enough reasoning for now ..................


* takes cover
Title: Re: No sane person would/could/should - no insane person should
Post by: xyle_one on 1 June 2005, 05:37
Quote from: Jenda
Nah. You think?

Oh yeah, silly me. How could anyone actually want to use windows over linux. I must be smoking crack.
Title: Re: No sane person would/could/should - no insane person should
Post by: Jenda on 1 June 2005, 22:45
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Oh yeah, silly me. How could anyone actually want to use windows over linux. I must be smoking crack.

Yeah. If your not, you should start. :D

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Let me elaborate (note that I haven't said above whether this is a good or bad thing). This is the Microsoft Eradication Society. That means that we want to see, and be a part of, the end of MS (at least as they are now. Their power). I would've guessed that our plan would be to notify people of the alternatives, and help them make the switch (which generally isn't easy, with all the lock-ins et cetera) from ALL Microsoft products.

That's the path I'm taking. A GNU/Linux missionary. The main goal is make them switch FROM MS, Linux is just a recommendation.

I don't think I've seen anyone argue that MS is good, or that they are not evil. Some people defend MS products because they think that some MS products are treated unfairly on this particular site, which is fair enough.
[/quote]
I agree.
Title: Re: No sane person would/could/should - no insane person should
Post by: Aloone_Jonez on 1 June 2005, 23:05
Quote from: xyle_one
Oh yeah, silly me. How could anyone actually want to use windows over linux. I must be smoking crack.


Do you know what?
I didn't know you wrere being sarcastic. :D
Title: Re: No sane person would/could/should - no insane person should
Post by: piratePenguin on 1 June 2005, 23:31
I *really* don't know who's being sarcastic now :/
Title: Re: No sane person would/could/should - no insane person should
Post by: xyle_one on 1 June 2005, 23:43
Who cares :)
Title: Re: No sane person would/could/should - no insane person should
Post by: Aloone_Jonez on 1 June 2005, 23:49
Well I really do care. ;)
Title: Re: No sane person would/could/should - no insane person should
Post by: xyle_one on 1 June 2005, 23:57
About the sarcasm?
Title: Re: No sane person would/could/should - no insane person should
Post by: Aloone_Jonez on 2 June 2005, 00:23
Why?
This is the least sarcastic thread in the entire forum. :D
Title: Re: No sane person would/could/should - no insane person should
Post by: Kjartan on 9 June 2005, 00:10
[confusingsarcasm] You think? [/confusingsarcasm]
Title: Re: No sane person would/could/should - no insane person should
Post by: MarathoN on 10 June 2005, 23:27
Yep I sure do.. :rolleyes: