What should I change my OS to (windows Xp, Linux, something else)?

hello I recently changed from XP to windows 7 but it is the most worthless peice of crap (way to slow) i know its only slow because of my ram (512mb) so i was wondering should i go back to windows XP or should i swich to a linux distrebution if linux which one? I would really like to try running a mac OS but im not sure it's possible with a pc.if it is could you explain how to. i have 160 gig hd. i would just like something that would run smoother then windows 7. please and thanksWhat should I change my OS to (windows Xp, Linux, something else)?
Advice from one grade 9 to another: with that RAM, I'd switch to Vista if you trust that the problems have been fixed (works fine for me) or just switch back to XP. Yes, Mac is a higher end OS but for user ease and overall quality I would stick with goo old Microsoft. Linux may be decent, but if I were to get it I would just use it as a dual-boot. No, stick with Vista or XP with your RAM. One other thing: get more RAM. You'll definitely be glad you did.What should I change my OS to (windows Xp, Linux, something else)?
Windows 7 is actually great. Much better than any other OS Microsoft has released. You do need more ram though. 512K is very low compared to what most PC come with today. It is also very cheap. You can pick up 2 gig for less than $100.00. You would see a HUGE difference in Windows 7 and I think you would probably like it.



Even XP with 512 is slow and crappy.
Why not just add more memory to your PC? XP will run better on 512MB than Win7 and Linux will run even better than XP. I like OpenSUSE. You can download a live CD to see how it runs on your PC before installing to the hard drive.
ubuntu linux should perform fairly in 51Meg if you are not doing alot of heavy graphics.



Try the live CD. One warning - the live CD is slow because CD drives are slow. You will have to install it to see the real speed.
Um windows 7 runs faster than any other operating system i have ever seen. From the amount of ram you have all i can say is its time to get a new computer. My personal favourite is linux. Linux is just uber theres just not a lot of stuff compatable with it, which sucks. Do you have the full version of windows 7 or just the beta. The beta has so many bugs its mind boggling. Try upgrading to the full version and getting more ram lol. My computer loads from start to applications in like 30 or so seconds with windows 7. Faster then any of my other operating systems.
Linux is the only answer. It will run on any pile of crap.(that's what you have)

Don't bash an OS by trying to run it on a machine that is incompatible and then complaining it doesn't work for you.
Actually,windows 7 should run smoothly and quickly, just change your RAM, you need at least 1GB of RAM for windows 7 to run properly, the following website http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11489087%26amp;whse=BC%26amp;Ne=4000000%26amp;eCat=BC|84|20522|62019|76339%26amp;N=4026018%26amp;Mo=4%26amp;pos=2%26amp;No=0%26amp;Nr=P_CatalogName:BC%26amp;cat=76339%26amp;Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1%26amp;lang=en-US%26amp;Sp=C%26amp;ec=BC-EC9-Cat20522%26amp;topnav= TELLS YOU WHAT REQUIREMENTS ARE NEEDED for windows 7 to run well. I know this because I'm going to upgrade to windows 7 because of all the good ratings like on CNET.com (good website for reviewing technology) and I have 512 RAM so on Black Friday, I'm going to buy windows 7, a 2gb RAM and an larger harddrive. Check it out, windows 7 is a good OS.
Ubuntu 9.10 should be your choice.
Try Puppy Linux ,great for older computers with low ram.I am really a novice but even I was able to burn the cd and get it up and running on my old laptop in no time at all,and all for free!Here are some sites to help you get started!Good Luck!



http://www.puppylinux.com/



http://www.puppylinux.org/main/index.php
Yeah, I agree with the others. You need to upgrade your ram 1st. Some older computers will only hold 512 or 1gig of ram. If your ram is maxed out at 512- then you need to go back to xp.

If you can add more ram, then you may like w7 better.



If you are just not happy with windows.....I highly recommend Linux Ubuntu 9.10. But it would do better with more ram.

1 gig is just about the minimum for a modern OS.



If you would put up the specs on your computer...some of these nice compugeeks will be happy to advise you.
Your best bet is Ubuntu Karmic Koala (9.10). Works like a champ and supports Windows Media files and other programs you are used to such as Adobe. It is incredibly easy and has incredible documentation.



PS - No matter what you do you absolutely should get more RAM. You will see a huge performance boost. You will need to match it to the original type (both DDR-{NumericValue} and PC {NumericValue} are important and must match exactly to the original). Just get larger RAM chips that support those two and you'll be set for an awesome experience.
If you had used the free Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor, before you installed W7, you would have known that your PC needed additional RAM:



So, without knowing your PC's specs, the smart thing to do is to bump your RAM to at least 2 GBs, and give Windows 7 a second chance. 2 GB of DDR2 RAM, if your motherboard supports it, is less that $ 40 at Tigerdirect. ca. XP SP3 would run way better, too.



Try LinuxMint 7, you'll fall in love with it! It runs ';not too badly'; with 512 MB RAM, but more RAM is always better. I HAPPILY use it on 5 of 6 of my computers.
It is not realistic to expect Windows 7 to run well on 512mb RAM



Upgrade your RAM to 2gb and you will soon change your mind about Windows 7



RECOMMENDED LINUX DISTRO.



I thoroughly recommend Linux Mint 7 Main Edition which is built upon Ubuntu 9.04 Its easy to install and easy to use plus it comes with much of the software you are likely to need preinstalled



Linux Mint 7 Download

http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=



Linux Mint 7 User Guide

http://www.scribd.com/doc/15884753/Linux



The Perfect Desktop - Linux Mint 7 (Gloria)

http://www.howtoforge.com/the-perfect-de



You download the ISO. image of Linux Mint 7 then you need to create a Bootable LiveCD for installation



Linux Mint 7 can also be run direct from the LiveCD from Booting up without touching your Hard Drive



INSTALL LINUX MINT WITHIN WINDOWS



Linux Mint has a feature called mint4win based on the Wubi installer (Ubuntu) http://wubi-installer.org/ which enables you to install Linux Mint within windows (Windows 7 run mint4win in vista compatability mode)



You keep Windows as it is, mint4win only adds an extra option to boot into Linux Mint. mint4win does not require you to modify the partitions of your PC, or to use a different bootloader, and does not install special drivers. It works just like any other application.



mint4win like Wubi keeps most of the files in one folder, and if you do not like it, you can simply uninstall it as any other application.



Boot in to windows insert the LiveCD you have just created and you will offered the option of installing inside windows which is where mint4win comes in, you will be asked how many gigabytes you wish to allocate to Linux Mint (I recommend 8gb) then you set a password for your installation then click install and thats it.



Once Linux Mint is fully installed upon starting your PC you will be given a choice of which operating system you want to use Windows or Linux Mint.



CURRENT SESSION



Linux Mint 6 custom LiveDVD with Compiz 0.7.2*

http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compiz

*Compiz 0.7.2 sourced from Ubuntu 8.04 LTS (Alpha 5) repositories





LUg.
Don't do things backwards. First save all your important data files to a USB drive.



Install WinXP on partition 1, 12 gigs, ntfs format

Reinstall your apps and data and make sure everything works like before.



Install Mepis v 8.0 on partion 2, 6 gigs, ext3

Make partion 3, 1 gig, linux swap

Logical Partiton 5, 60 gig, ext3 to mount /home

Logical Partition6, what's left, FAT32, drive D: on windows and /Data on linux.



Mepis will install grub in the boot sectors of the hard drive and will be set up to give you a choice between winows and linux. Make sure everything works.



From windows,

Make copies of your data files to D:/

From Mepis Linux

Find the applications that will work with your data files.



Become comfortable with the menus, how to shut down and boot up, how to do backups to your USB drive, how to find and load new applications. Hook up printers. Attach to wireless networks. Burn CDs Get your yahoo or google mail.



As time goes by, note what you use in Windows and find Linux applications that do what you need. The linux application will might do only part of what the windows one does, but if it does what you need.



My windows partition is used for a web application that will only run under Explorer, and for an encrypted USB drive whose windows-only software must be used at work.



Look for a Linux application call Euler. It will help with your math homework. It is a super-calculator that does algebra, too.



Sell your Win7 CD to a buddy or keep it for when you get a dual core processor, 500 gig drive and 4 gig of memory. You may want to look at student priced versions of Word and Excel. Most are for college students, bu occasionally they are for high school students. Never upgrade an OS except for security patches and when you need an application that will not run without the upgrade.



When you get a new OS, get the hardware recommended for it. Ignore minimums; they are too optimistic.



If Mepis 8.0 overtaxes your machine, use Antix 8.2.
I agree with most of the answers... I would install Ubuntu Linux (and you can keep windows and make it a dual boot)



ADVANTAGES LINUX :

1) FREE (most versions are)

2) Install software by either 1) Synaptic Package Manager, 2) Add/Remove 3) Opening a .deb or .rpm file (depending on distribution)

3) It is FASTER/MORE SECURE to surf on the internet

4) Some Windows programs work with Wnehq/Crossover (also avail on Mac, but why pay $$$)



Instructions how to download, burn and boot http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-v

Dual Boot Instructions http://apcmag.com/how_to_dual_boot_windo