I recently built a new machine for someone. It was a really nice machine. Dual Core AMD64 5000+ and 2 gigs of some quality DDR2-800 Mushkin ram.

The pain? I had to put windows on it. It physically hurt me every step of the installation process. This wonderful machine now takes longer to boot than a 200mhz pentium pro I found in a closet, now running Ubuntu Server.

Aww thats so sad... I really want to get my dad using ubuntu, but his comp just won't take it (not enough ram, me thinks...). So, for now hes stuck with ::shiver:: windows me ::shiver::

Ugh, give him 98 or 2000 or something... friends don't let friends use ME

AGREED.

Shit, even Windows 3.1 is better than WinME. I say this having actually used both.

Yeah, yeah yeah, I know. Though, I'm not sure about the 3.1 comment... I'm not sure I could tolerate the ancient programs... but yeah... I'm just trying to convince him to get a System 76 laptop atm though, which would just be WAY easier

I would like to take a moment of silence to remember such a great machine with such a short life.

so so sad.....

It'l be mine eventually though so that helps. Anytime a machine gets replaced or upgraded, all the 'scraps' get reassembled into new machines. So far I'm up to 3 'scrap' machines running Ubuntu as well as 2 more modern ones. My next challenge is going to be an 11 year old old-world Power Mac, though I have my doubts about Ubuntu's runnability on old-world PPC machines. I think Debian supports that type of hardware though.

I'm also horribly sorry. I recently purchased this very nice VISTA READY! Laptop. Too bad it will never see Vista. Someone should make some "UBUNTU READY" stickers. I'd like to overlap some boxes =]

Yea but you would have to end up putting those "UBUNTU READY" stickers on every computer made in the last 10 years! Ouch!

What does "VISTA READY" even mean? It serves no purpose other than a marketing gimmick.

Computer Specifications: For Dummies? =]

"VISTA READY" means that the hardware is compatable and ready for Vista. However, what it doesn't say is, if you are running 512mb of ram and an on-board video card, you won't be able to get all the fun stuff that Vista Ultimate has to offer. You'll be stuck in Vista Home Basic until/unless you upgrade your system.

I've installed Ubuntu on a 512mb of ram w/on-board video and it performs better than it did with WinXP.

You think that's bad? Try setting up an Ubuntu machine with vastly inferior hardware and watch it outperform a machine with superior hardware running Vista.

LOL Asta-La-Vista Baby!

Have you considered Puppy Linux? It was actually my first venture into Linux and I had it on an old Compaq Armada 233mhz,124mb and it ran with lightning speed compared to Windows 98. It can be run live or installed. It is so small that it can be installed on a flash drive if the computer BIOS will allow booting from that.

Puppy

Somehow, I didn't get the OPs point. He can't install Ubuntu on his home-made PC because his Dad doesn't use it?

Huh? What are you talking about? Where did I ever mention who I was building this machine for? It sure as hell isn't for my parents. They live wayyyy too far. I'm not about to haul a computer across the country for them. I don't know where you got that idea.

Aww, I'm sorry. I mis-interpret 'someone' by parents...
You should've videotaped the installation, and then show it to friends and family as a horror movie

Extreme Coder

I sympathise. I'm planning upgrades right now - mobo, processor, memory, monitor.

Dual boot today with WinXP (wife needs it). She wants to get Vista (OEM license is cheaper when you buy hardware). It is going to be very upsetting doing the installation.

Still the salvaged parts will make a second machine which will be a pure linux play box.

Actually, upon rereading the thread, the SECOND guy who posted mentioned something about his father.

Sadly this is not an uncommon experience for me. I build custom machines as a side business and most people want XP or Vista put on them. One of these days I'm going to get fed up and start refusing.

Speaking of the 2nd guy. Taj: If the machine can run WinME, it should be able to run Xubuntu at the very least. Maybe you could give it a shot.