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Can I get my XP netbook up and running without constant unsupported messages?

Zeropoint1Zeropoint1 Posts: 10,917
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in PC & Mac Hardware and Software #1
I have a Samsung Windows XP netbook and the last time I used it was constantly reminded that XP is no longer supported. Is there a free way I can keep it running?

I know it's under powered by today's standards but it was handy to use in the pub when nobody was in to update my website, away travelling or even just general web browsing and better than my laptop when out and running the risk of the yokel scally half inching it!

From the top of my head it's stats are -

Full version of XP fully updated to the latest service pack
Approx 1 GB RAM
160 GB hard disc
Approx 1.7 Ghz Intel processor (possibly a Celeron but I really can't remember)

Unfortunately I can't check the exact details as it's at my parents house.

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    jenziejenzie Posts: 20,821
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    #2
    is it just the one pop up that appears during boot up?
    all i do is press ENTER and off it goes
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    Paulius55Paulius55 Posts: 92
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    #3
    You should seriously consider replacing Windows with Linux. I did this to my Samsung NC10 when it became clear that WinXP was fading away. The hardware requirements for Linux are much less than for Windows and it will run very well, you should find equivalent programs to allow you to do everything you always did with Windows. Linux is free and there are versions specifically for Netbooks, like the Samsung. Just Google Search for instructions, take a deep breath and do it!
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    henm2henm2 Posts: 160
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    #4
    Agree about linux being better than windows for netbook. A 32 bit distro like LXLE 12.04.5 would be ideal.
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    Zeropoint1Zeropoint1 Posts: 10,917
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    #5
    Paulius55 wrote: »
    You should seriously consider replacing Windows with Linux. I did this to my Samsung NC10 when it became clear that WinXP was fading away. The hardware requirements for Linux are much less than for Windows and it will run very well, you should find equivalent programs to allow you to do everything you always did with Windows. Linux is free and there are versions specifically for Netbooks, like the Samsung. Just Google Search for instructions, take a deep breath and do it!

    Thank you. Now you've said that I'm pretty sure it is a NC10, though I haven't been able to check it yet. I'll give it a go next weekend a see what happens.
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    henm2henm2 Posts: 160
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    #6
    I would recommend downloading LXLE 12.04.5 from http://lxle.net/ or Linux Mint 17.1 xfce http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=181. As a netbook does not have a CD drive then you will put your downloaded OS on to a flash drive using the likes of Rufus https://rufus.akeo.ie/.
    Then connect your flash drive and switch on the netbook. Change the boot order by pressing F2 https://craftedflash.com/info/how-boot-computer-from-usb-flash-drive.
    Your chosen OS will then boot and then just follow the prompts to fully install.
    You will end up with a much smoother faster running machine running lots of good programs like Firefox, Google Chrome, Libre Office, VLC, Skype etc all for free. Bear in mind it might take a few days to get used to your new system but certainly it is not anywhere near as complicated as Windows 8/8.1.
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    TelevisionUserTelevisionUser Posts: 41,417
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    #7
    henm2 wrote: »
    I would recommend downloading LXLE 12.04.5 from http://lxle.net/ or Linux Mint 17.1 xfce http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=181. As a netbook does not have a CD drive then you will put your downloaded OS on to a flash drive using the likes of Rufus https://rufus.akeo.ie/.
    Then connect your flash drive and switch on the netbook. Change the boot order by pressing F2 https://craftedflash.com/info/how-boot-computer-from-usb-flash-drive.
    Your chosen OS will then boot and then just follow the prompts to fully install.
    You will end up with a much smoother faster running machine running lots of good programs like Firefox, Google Chrome, Libre Office, VLC, Skype etc all for free. Bear in mind it might take a few days to get used to your new system but certainly it is not anywhere near as complicated as Windows 8/8.1.

    One of the advantages of installing lightweight, resource-friendly Linux distributions such as LXLE and Linux Lite is that, for all practical purposes, you can say goodbye to worms, trojans, virii, cryptolockers and so on. They give new life to older equipment.
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    PsychoTherapistPsychoTherapist Posts: 2,688
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    #8
    You could try the registry hack mentioned here:

    http://www.zdnet.com/article/registry-hack-enables-continued-updates-for-windows-xp/

    It'll make the system think it's "Windows Embedded POSReady 2009" and will continue to receive security updates.

    Warning however, there's no guarantee that a future update won't cripple the OS, as it's unsupported.
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    max99max99 Posts: 9,002
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    #9
    You can disable the XP Notification message via Task Scheduler or CCleaner.
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    TelevisionUserTelevisionUser Posts: 41,417
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    #10
    PsychoTherapist wrote: »
    You could try the registry hack mentioned here:

    http://www.zdnet.com/article/registry-hack-enables-continued-updates-for-windows-xp/

    It'll make the system think it's "Windows Embedded POSReady 2009" and will continue to receive security updates.

    Warning however, there's no guarantee that a future update won't cripple the OS, as it's unsupported.

    My recommendation in post #7 above was to switch to a light resource version of Linux (and I stick by that) but if somebody is really determined to stick with XP (triple :o:o:o) then I'd suggest a good antivirus, a third party firewall (not the XP one), not using Internet Explorer as the browser any more and deleting it + using Firefox, Chrome, etc. instead and installing McAfee SiteAdvisor to warn of dodgy sites when doing Google searches.
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    Zeropoint1Zeropoint1 Posts: 10,917
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    #11
    TelevisionUser wrote: »
    One of the advantages of installing lightweight, resource-friendly Linux distributions such as LXLE and Linux Lite is that, for all practical purposes, you can say goodbye to worms, trojans, virii, cryptolockers and so on. They give new life to older equipment.

    It sounds interesting and I'll certainly give it a try. After all I have a laptop, desktop and tablets so have nothing to lose by trying this. I still would like some form of virus checker, what's a good free one?
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    henm2henm2 Posts: 160
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    #12
    If you are using a Linux system there is in practice no need for an anti virus program. However if sending files to a windows system I use Clamav just to be sure.

    If using a Windows system ( I still do occasionally) I use the free version of Avast.
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    TelevisionUserTelevisionUser Posts: 41,417
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    #13
    Zeropoint1 wrote: »
    It sounds interesting and I'll certainly give it a try. After all I have a laptop, desktop and tablets so have nothing to lose by trying this. I still would like some form of virus checker, what's a good free one?

    My ex-XP laptop now runs perfectly well on LXLE, I have zero need for any antivirus (it does have an installed firewall) and the laptop's never been infected with anything of any sort. The vast majority of malware is designed to run on Windows system so as soon as you leave that particular operating system ecosystem then things suddenly become much safer. :)

    http://lxle.net/download/

    or

    http://www.linuxliteos.com/download.html

    Instructions
    > http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showpost.php?p=72555734&postcount=462
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