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The least used page on microsoft.com

support.microsoft.com — a guide no one has ever used.

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  • Zamboni33, on 12/11/2007, -213/+53"assuming that you want to remove Linux" ... Microsoft makes another stupid assumption towards its customers
    • decaprime, on 12/11/2007, -8/+132Its not a stupid assumption, the article is titled "How to Remove Linux and Install Windows XP", its safe to assume that's why you would be reading it. They acknowledge that "Windows XP and Linux can coexist on the same computer" though.
      • Tazmaster, on 12/11/2007, -15/+5nvm
      • sqrt7744, on 12/11/2007, -1/+14noooo i bet more people are reading it for the same reason we are - because it's funny.
      • preist, on 12/12/2007, -2/+1acting smart doesn't really work on digg
    • sporktek, on 12/11/2007, -7/+17Yeah. I mean, OF COURSE they want to remove Linux.
      • cdahlkvist, on 12/11/2007, -13/+29Looks like a pretty popular link (and very useful information to many people) according to these:

        http://siteexplorer.search.yahoo.com/search?p=http ...

        http://www.google.com/search?as_lq=support.microso ...

        Of course on digg it's "cool" to rip on MS.
        • kurttrail, on 12/11/2007, -8/+17Just on Digg?

          Name one place where it's not cool to rip on M$.
          • Culled, on 12/11/2007, -1/+13Here
            http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&tim ...
          • GliTCH82, on 12/11/2007, -1/+3The Microsoft technet forums? Or, maybe it's cool there too, I don't know.
          • saisumimen, on 12/11/2007, -2/+3Anyone remember that picture a Microsoft employee took of a crate full of iMacs arriving at MS headquarters?

            ... I'm guessing the department that received them probably rips on MS as well.
          • jaskerzada, on 12/11/2007, -1/+6You mean the Xbox division?
          • madcreator, on 12/11/2007, -0/+1I'm not sure if it's because it isn't cool, but when people rip on Microsoft on Microsoft campus they usually do it in a whisper. Not to say it doesn't happen, just that it's done quietly.
        • dinostabOMG, on 12/11/2007, -2/+4Haha - did you read any of those headlines? The first one is an article about someone FORCED to do so as a term of his parole. Another one is a screenshot of the same page on Flickr, there to be laughed at. And so on.
        • PAStheLoD, on 12/11/2007, -0/+1There's a reason why this has gotten this far..
      • WhiteHamster, on 12/11/2007, -1/+4if you installed linux, youre literate enough to know how to remove it, linux doesn't just appear, thats why that page is stupid. if there was like a "how to remove visual studio" tutorial that would be useful since visual studio ***** up your machine really bad if you try to remove it
        • m3mn0n, on 12/12/2007, -1/+1huh? Installing ubuntu is easier than installing vista.

          I do both multiple times a day, trust me.
        • init100, on 12/13/2007, -0/+1It may be targeted at those cases where some friend or relative installed Linux for them on their PCs, but refuses to remove it and install Windows again even when they ask.
    • majortom1981, on 12/11/2007, -32/+99Its because people like you that i have removed linux. All of the linux users think they are gods and bash a person that asks for help. Plus the fact that even installing nvidia drivers for linux requires using the linux command line I stopped even trying to use linux. I can see why people would use this.
      • sporktek, on 12/11/2007, -52/+10OH YEAH? Well, why don't you just GOOGLE IT!
        • rpgmaker, on 12/11/2007, -5/+15To the ones digging him down, I'm sure he was being sarcastic.
        • yuutokun, on 12/11/2007, -3/+1/sarcasm
      • hyperair, on 12/11/2007, -10/+46Please don't generalize. Why don't you poke your head around ubuntuforums and count just how many bash a person who asks for help? Those that do have been bashed by others, and/or banned. If they still exist, they can be counted on one hand.
      • Justizzle, on 12/11/2007, -12/+7I'm no huge fan of the command line either, but isn't the reason because no one at Nvidia programs for Linux because there's no money in it? People use Linux because it's free and it's (supposedly) more stable than Windows (supposedly because I often launch a program in Linux and the hourglass comes up for 5 minutes, then goes away, with no program loaded, so I have to do it a second time. Windows would at least load the program... then crash.). Honestly, I like Linux, I run Suse 10.2 on my laptop, mainly because I see Linux becoming a major competitor a few years down the road. As for right now, I'm still dual booting my desktop between suse 10.2 (what's up with 10.3 not supporting SATA drives without a special boot option? That's crap) and Windows. And really, everything I need can be done in windows, so the suse partition is there just to have something different to look at every now and then.
        • liquidjamm, on 12/11/2007, -3/+5Just to prove that majortom1981 is right, and Linux users do bash unsuspecting newcomers for no particular reason.
          @Justizzle: Your'e a newb; go by yourself a Mac!

          I kid, I kid - folks @ http://suseforums.net/ should be able to help. Solid group o' Linux enthusiasts. Never encountered a problem that these folks weren't able to explain, even in layman terms.
          • GliTCH82, on 12/11/2007, -0/+5My grandpa uses SuSE. All the cool kids use Ubuntu. That's why I'm running Vista.
        • hipnerd, on 12/11/2007, -1/+16"isn't the reason because no one at Nvidia programs for Linux because there's no money in it?"

          Nvidia actually has a complete UNIX/Linux team that programs drivers for their products for Linux, FreeBSD and Solaris. It is because of that support that their products are vastly preferredby Linux users to similar offerings by ATI. Nvidia sees money due to increased sales, and by targeting the geek crowd, they buy goodwill in a very influential sector when it comes to hardware purchasing decisions. ATI is playing catch-up, but they also now have a dedicated Linux/UNIX team.

          http://www.nvidia.com/object/unix.html

          http://ati.amd.com/products/catalyst/linux.html
        • dinostabOMG, on 12/11/2007, -1/+4Just a quick tip: If that happens, try running it from a terminal and then at least you'll see the errors output and know where to look to fix the problem. Windows rarely does this.
        • banmaster, on 12/12/2007, -3/+1Windows rarely does that as most of the time it just works perfectly, unlike linux.
          • dinostabOMG, on 01/14/2008, -0/+1Yeah, I've never seen a Windows app crash.
        • init100, on 12/13/2007, -0/+1"supposedly because I often launch a program in Linux and the hourglass comes up for 5 minutes, then goes away, with no program loaded, so I have to do it a second time. Windows would at least load the program... then crash."

          When a graphical Linux program crashes, it usually just closes. The system has no generic support for "this program needs to close" type dialog boxes. If the application ran from a terminal, you would see error messages, since these are usually directed to the console. The most common reason for an application crash is a segmentation fault.
      • gnick, on 12/11/2007, -4/+61Am I the only one chuckling over the pun? Linux users "bash" people.
        • SpeedSteamBoat, on 12/11/2007, -2/+11Oh lawd, is dat some nerd humor?

          Sadly, I got it. D:
        • hipnerd, on 12/11/2007, -0/+13Oh Linux has its fair amount of zealots, but most subcultures do. Perhaps in the tech world the problem is worse because so many techies have a good dose of "programmer autism." Their social skills can suck sometimes.

          But I've actually found that because Linux users are such evangelists for the OS, most users will bend over backwards to help a newbie get set up on the OS. I'm running Ubuntu, and the forums there are generally very helpful.
        • TheMidnight, on 12/11/2007, -0/+4Oh come on, that was just Korny.
      • m3t00, on 12/11/2007, -15/+5You are too pitiful. One clown scares you so you fear all clowns. Buy a Mac and make some pretty pictures.
      • Pissoff, on 12/11/2007, -15/+3It's not Linux's fault you're a no talent ass clown that can't STFW and then copy and paste a few command lines.
        • warcin, on 12/11/2007, -3/+8Nice way to prove his point
          • archiesteel, on 12/11/2007, -2/+5I don't believe this man is really is Linux user. From his comment history it seems he uses Windows XP.
            And in the case that he *is* a Linux user, that doesn't mean that he's in any way representative of other Linux users. My own experience on Linux forums has been 95% positive; there are a lot more newbie-friendly Linux users than rude, elitist ones out there.
          • Pissoff, on 12/21/2007, -0/+1I suck at sarcasm. =(

            Or maybe I'm really really good at it...
      • dinostabOMG, on 12/11/2007, -2/+9Sorry you had that experience. I just switched to Ubuntu in June, though. I'm less of a complete noob than I was at that point, but I am still very green when it comes to Linux. However, I have found ubuntuforums.org to be immensely useful. Very rarely was anyone ever outright rude to me, and on many occasions they held my hand through some things which I'm sure were very basic to them.
      • archiesteel, on 12/11/2007, -3/+12"All of the linux users think they are gods and bash a person that asks for help."
        False. Ever since I started to use Linux, some 5 to 6 years ago, I've found most Linux users to be very helpful towards those who knew less about the OS. Many times have I received helpful tips from total strangers when confronted with some issue, and over time I myself was able to help out newcomers. The stereotypical Linux user you describe is extremely rare, and serves mostly as a useful bogeyman for those wanting to spread anti-Linux FUD. In fact, I suspect many "rude" pro-Linux posters to really be pro-MS agent provocateurs, and act this way mainly to give Linux users a bad name. I'm sure there are a few on this thread as wel...
        "Plus the fact that even installing nvidia drivers for linux requires using the linux command line"
        False. You no longer need to go to the command line to install nvidia drivers (and you haven't for a while, actually). The new Restricted Manager does all that from a GUI, and in fact prompts you to use it if it detects a nvidia card in your PC.
        Don't use Linux if you don't want to, but don't spread lies about it either.
    • minigamer1896, on 12/11/2007, -1/+2I buried you even though I'm a Linux user! *sighs*
      I wish that you will move from your current stage in the usage of Linux without alienating too many people as I did Zamboni.
  • phil2490, on 12/11/2007, -190/+33"type fdisk at the command prompt" - lol, They called it the command prompt
    • sporktek, on 12/11/2007, -3/+140Hmm, it's not a prompt at which commands are to be typed?
    • consoneo, on 12/11/2007, -6/+69Yeah, because that's TOTALLY not what it is. You can't type commands into that line where it waits for commands.
    • Justizzle, on 12/11/2007, -36/+4I think he means it's not called "Terminal" or "Console," but that's just what it is called in Windows. Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> Command Prompt
      • STARTSOMETHING, on 12/11/2007, -0/+60We know what he meant. It was like coke bashing pepsi for calling their drink cola.
      • init100, on 12/13/2007, -0/+1He might also have meant that they should call it DOS.
    • falafelkiosken, on 12/11/2007, -1/+3yeah, they thought they invented it ;)
  • Philluminati, on 12/11/2007, -19/+871"Windows XP and Linux can coexist on the same computer. For additional information, refer to your Linux documentation."

    -- Cheeky bastards
    • IEatHamburgers, on 12/11/2007, -26/+4*Stewie Griffin's cheap one-baby laugh track goes here
    • NeoMatrixJR, on 12/11/2007, -27/+1I thought I had seen this page before!
      • justaskyourmom, on 12/11/2007, -6/+34I saw your mom before, she showed me her linux partition.
        • saisumimen, on 12/11/2007, -9/+1Too bad it was infected with a hundred worms.
    • jugglingjon, on 12/11/2007, -6/+53i understand what you're saying, but in all honesty microsoft couldn't keep adding pages of documentation for every linux distribution that rolls out. that really does seem like the distribution's responsibility. now if they just linked to the websites of those distributions, which no doubt have that information; that seems more reasonable.
      • rspeed, on 12/11/2007, -1/+16Really there would only be two possibilities, since there are only two common bootloaders.
        • skidooer, on 12/11/2007, -0/+15Three. You can use NTLDR. Microsoft should be responsible for at least telling how to do it with that one.
          • RoboDonut, on 12/11/2007, -10/+4I think he meant Grub and NTLDR.


            I don't know anyone who actually uses LiLo.
          • InfiniteNothing, on 12/11/2007, -0/+3I do. lilo -R FTW
    • HonoredMule, on 12/11/2007, -12/+52"NOTE: Windows XP and Linux can coexist on the same computer. For additional information, refer to your Linux documentation."

      I was just about to post that myself. You say it's cheeky, but I love how it screams "If you want both, you'll have to look to linux for instructions, because it supports itself and us, while we just steamroll your computer."
      • Nerfdude, on 12/11/2007, -5/+38why should it be microsoft's problem? the second microsoft puts up instructions on how to dual boot linux/windows and it doesn't work for ONE person, i'll be reading about it on here in the top ten.
        • paloooz, on 12/11/2007, -16/+4Apple seems to be able to do it.
          • Nerfdude, on 12/11/2007, -2/+8they let you run windows XP or Vista, not linux. that's a total of two operating systems, vs the thousands of unix releases floating around. why doesn't apple support unix (other than osx obviously)?
          • natenovs, on 12/12/2007, -1/+5and apple offers no support for your windows partition
      • Cyber_Akuma, on 12/11/2007, -3/+28Why would a company support a product they do not make? Especially if theres hundreds of distros of various versions out there and they would be held accountable if they got something wrong on that page?

        It's like expecting a PSU's manual to have the pinout for every motherboard ever made with a non-standard power port.
      • InfiniteNothing, on 12/11/2007, -1/+6All I ask for is windows to play nice. No more "I need to be the primary drive"
        map-drive = 0x80
        to = 0x81
        map-drive = 0x81
        to = 0x80
        buisness. And would it really be too hard for win to just have a prompt asking what drive to boot from if two are bootable
    • flytronix, on 12/11/2007, -15/+6"refer to your Linux documentation"

      lol pwnt
    • jamesbailey211, on 12/11/2007, -5/+6I saw that too. Does anyone else know that using the word 'linux' on xbox live counts as an offensive word!
    • itsJALbert, on 12/12/2007, -1/+1So does FAB or F A B. Or Bill Gates, God, Halo...
    • jsetoh, on 12/12/2007, -2/+8I believe Linux and XP can coexist peacefully together
  • Blafhert, on 12/11/2007, -14/+304Are you also still surprised when Microsoft even uses the word Linux?
    • hyperair, on 12/11/2007, -13/+2Good grief. Did they? I must have missed it!
      • jspegele, on 12/11/2007, -1/+4You must have not read the guide before commenting on it!
    • AROZ, on 12/11/2007, -4/+33Yeah, I thought their strategy was to deny or simply avoid the existence of Linux.
    • theotheragentm, on 12/11/2007, -2/+19We never mention out competitors' names to customers. We call everything else Brand X.
    • Cyber_Akuma, on 12/11/2007, -2/+18No, but I am surprised they said it can coexsist with WindowsXP
      • Tyrghast, on 12/11/2007, -0/+11They can cohabit, but they must share the food and the women if they want to survive.
    • benplaut, on 12/11/2007, -0/+4I'm surprised their legal team didn't push for GNU/Linux
      • whiteguysamurai, on 12/11/2007, -1/+6Do any but the most extreme really care about the "GNU" affix?
      • nayr, on 12/11/2007, -1/+1Well you've already gone too far if you've installed the kernel :P
    • digggggggggg, on 12/11/2007, -1/+10I can imagine it now...
      "Are you, or anyone you know, using Lunix? Lunix is an extremely dangerous software program developed in the 1980's by Soviet hacker Linyos Tovolov and has the potential to irreparably damage any computer that it has infected.
      If you see the words 'LILO' or 'GRUB' when you boot your computer, it may already be infected! You must send this machine back to your manufacturer for a low level format and a complete reinstall of Genuine Microsoft Windows™.
      Do not let your friends or loved ones near the danger to national security known as Lunix. "
    • blackrich, on 12/12/2007, -0/+1They frequently misspell it "Linus" on their website, lol.
    • m3mn0n, on 12/12/2007, -0/+1I'm not surprised. I unexpectedly got a package in the mail from Microsoft telling me the benefits of Windows over Linux for my non-existent medium-to-large enterprise. heh

      I had a quick laugh, and then got back to playing around with Ubuntu
  • diidiiidiid, on 12/11/2007, -23/+958If this ever gets to the front page the title will be a lie
    • whataboutdave, on 12/11/2007, -17/+216I viewed the page, but I have no intention of ever using it.
      • diidiiidiid, on 12/11/2007, -31/+8Good point... but in my opinion using and viewing is almost the same in this case
      • lexbaby, on 12/11/2007, -5/+71Do you think MS cares? Next week there will be a press release from MS that people are switching from Linux to XP because this page had so many page views all of a sudden.
    • exomni, on 12/11/2007, -11/+42More views does not imply more uses.
    • sporktek, on 12/11/2007, -13/+56Title was a lie before it made the front page.
      • fluxion, on 12/11/2007, -2/+60yup, "How to Remove Linux and Install Windows ME" is the actual least used page
        • rudy23, on 12/11/2007, -2/+6nope. least used is Why you will love Windows me
          • grumpyrain, on 12/12/2007, -0/+3Actually that one is surprisingly popular. All those poor souls running ME are curious themselves why they bought it in the first place.

            But Microsoft were kind enough to install the "Why you will love Windows me" page in IE.
            http://about:blank
    • wicketr, on 12/11/2007, -11/+21Actually, i was kind of wondering how to do this. I tried Linux, unsuccessfully i might add, so i was wondering how to get the disk back to where I could use it again.

      I tried Ubuntu: wouldn't even finish the install before it locked up. It'd either lock up when it was unpacking the contents of the DVD, or it would lock up right as it started to boot into the live CD portion.

      And I tried OpenSUSE: It actually installed once. However, on the reboot it would constantly hang at the point where it says something about CPUFreq. I tried reinstalling (actually tried the 32 bit version the second time thinking that might be it), and it began locking up during the install as well.

      In all, I've spent around 30 hours trying to get Linux installed with different flavors and it just won't work for me. I'd really like to use Linux, but when it's seemingly impossible for me to get it working on my computer, I've about given up on it.
      • arcade, on 12/11/2007, -2/+16If you by chance live in Oslo/Norway, I'll volunteer to help you.
        • wicketr, on 12/11/2007, -2/+2Appreciate the offer, but i'm in Memphis,TN
          • armbar, on 12/11/2007, -1/+17It's just a short walk, boat ride, ski trip over there. Don't be lazy.
          • zoroko, on 12/11/2007, -1/+4I use to live in memphis and have friends there. I'd help you too, but i'm in florida now :(
        • dinostabOMG, on 12/11/2007, -4/+8Wow - that's the kind of community spirit that is part of what makes Linux a joy to use. Cheers to you, arcade.
      • Wargalas, on 12/11/2007, -0/+22Linux generally doesn't lock up, so with both flavors giving you issues, I wonder if you have a hardware problem that Windows is ignoring or a piece of hardware that Linux doesn't like. Try Knoppix and see if the live CD gives you the same lockup issue. If so, I'd remove some peripherals until it works.

        Just a thought, I might be wrong.
        • wicketr, on 12/11/2007, -0/+3I figured it might be a hardware problem, but i unplugged all the PCI cards, all other hard drives, all USB devices including the front USB connectors. There was basically nothing but:
          Core 2 Duo processor
          7900GS Graphics card
          FoxConn motherboard
          Maxtor SATA 160GB
          SATA DVD Drive

          I installed Ubuntu on an old computer before and it worked (except I never could figure out how to get Nvidia drivers working on my 5600FX graphics card), but i would really like it to work on my new one. I just don't get it.
        • TheColonel, on 12/11/2007, -8/+2" or a piece of hardware that Linux doesn't like."

          Thats the kind of thinking that has people going back to windows.. at least in windows you can just disable a device and windows can/will ignore it. (yes,i know you can remove modules, etc for linux, but you still have this situation...)
        • ninjathis, on 12/11/2007, -0/+4"FoxConn motherboard" that's your problem
        • zwaldowski, on 12/11/2007, -2/+1TheColonel: Um, no.
      • MrBarcode, on 12/11/2007, -8/+3So, you tried Linux for 30 hours in total and gave up? Try telling grub "noacpi" and then booting.
      • vertinox, on 12/11/2007, -1/+6Have you tried a different computer?
        Its what I do to make sure I'm not going insane.
        • wicketr, on 12/11/2007, -0/+4I'm not saying Linux doesn't work at all. I'm just saying it doesn't work on my setup. I do have an old computer and it seemed to work on that one, but i don't want to work on an old computer. My guess is it's something with the motherboard, or the memory. It's just weird that Windows works, and is ignoring/properly handling whatever problem it is.
      • Scrappy1850, on 12/11/2007, -22/+6you aren't missing anything. it's a pain in the ass to install drivers for graphics and wireless networking. It doesnt play games. actaully it doesnt do anything windows can't do. it is free though, but then again so is garbage.
        • wigren, on 12/11/2007, -6/+4Booo hoo... no games. Oh wait: http://digg.com/linux_unix/Top_10_free_Linux_3D_ga ...
          • Scrappy1850, on 12/11/2007, -5/+5crysis isn't on this list. bioshock isn't on this list. half-life 2 and ANY OTHER MAJOR RELEASE GAME! yes, linux has games. It doesn't have the good games. Call me when C&C 3 or Master and Commander come out for linux.
          • fluxion, on 12/11/2007, -2/+3Quake Wars is on the list

            to say linux "doesnt play games" is false. to say there arent many good games for linux is a reasonable statement. but that's not linux's fault, it's the developers who choose what they develop for, and linux will have to win over the meat and potatoes crowd before the userbase is large enough that game companies see alot of potential profit from its users
          • archiesteel, on 12/11/2007, -1/+4Bioshock and half-life 2 are available on consoles. In fact, much more games are availalbe for consoles than PCs, so the same argument could be used against PC gaming in general.
            Also, the OP didn't say he was a PC gamer, so the point may be moot. As for installing graphic and wireless drivers, it's a lot easier with the latest version of Ubuntu.
        • ScottyMcBaggs, on 12/11/2007, -0/+2I laughed so hard at that last bit, "so is garbage."

          You're right that Windows can do everything Linux can do, but to me a lot of things are easier to do in Linux, especially if you are a developer or sysadmin. I use a mixture of RHEL, OS X, and a pinch of Windows Media Center. RHEL is awesome for technical stuff, OS X has the best interface, and Windows, mehh it's alright its interface isn't the greatest, and it obscures the technology inside, but it gets the job I use it for done pretty well.
        • tedonion, on 12/11/2007, -0/+6I use ubuntu, and everything worked out of the box except the wireless which took 5 minutes and a visit to ubuntuforums to fix. The free games are fine for my needs, as my laptop is not what you would call a gaming machine. I have found it requires far less time to set up and maintain and is far more stable, usable, and secure than windows. Sorry you did not enjoy your experience. Thanks open source community for giving me more than I could wish for!
          • Scrappy1850, on 12/11/2007, -3/+3i learned how to use a computer on an atari 800 and a DOS 286, so i am not scared by a command line. but why use it? i can point and click and get things done faster and easier. linux needs to move past that. i built a computer this weeknd and after i put in the vista DVD i was playing TF2 60 minutes later. try THAT with linux.
        • Smegzor, on 12/11/2007, -0/+2Strange. I am able to run all the Valve games, EA's Battlefield series, and a number of other games in Linux without a problem. I even installed DirectX 9.0c I have found very few games don't work and most of those are almost working. They'll start working soon enough.

          Oh and I'm a linux noob :P
        • asaturn, on 12/11/2007, -0/+1wireless will work if you have a windows XP driver: ndiswrapper (an opensource project, btw) lets you use windows networking drivers in linux. in fact, there's even a Gnome interface for it! (no typing required)
      • trogdoor, on 12/11/2007, -0/+1That's strange, debian's installer ( which is what Ubuntu uses for it's "text based" install ) is usually pretty solid, if you are still interested in trying hop on #ubuntu ( or whatever distro you prefer / get the best help with ) on irc.freenode.net.
        • archiesteel, on 12/11/2007, -0/+3Actually, he used the LiveCD, which has the graphical install. Perhaps he would have had better luck with the alternate install CD...
          • trogdoor, on 12/11/2007, -0/+1He said he used the DVD install, and from his post it sounds like he tried both installation methods.
      • asaturn, on 12/11/2007, -0/+1try the alternate CD from the ubuntu website. it's a text-based install and is more likely to work out of the box.
    • bills534, on 12/11/2007, -6/+29Its not like its a link to a delicious cake.
      • jonshipman, on 12/11/2007, -6/+14The Cake is a LIE!
      • tetfsu, on 12/11/2007, -1/+6You are a wonderful wonderful subject, we will have a big party in your honor once this training is completed. I will invite your companion cube.
      • thatbitchulove, on 12/12/2007, -0/+2if it was i'm sure it would be so delicious and moist ^_^ but it's not. it's a lie.
    • Pinhedd, on 12/11/2007, -4/+11lets take down Microsoft with the power of DIGG!
    • Phatt138, on 12/11/2007, -0/+6You can't observe the system without changing it...
      • nayr, on 12/11/2007, -0/+3*coughs down the obligatory heisenberg uncertainty principle remark*
    • TimeIsTissue, on 12/12/2007, -2/+1Remember, digg only has around 10,000 visitors.
  • sotopheavy, on 12/11/2007, -28/+10The least USEFUL page on microsoft.com. Their article on how to create multi-boot system does not even mention linux:

    "For additional information about how to multiboot with Windows XP, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
    306559 ( http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306559/EN-US/ ) HOW TO: Create a Multiple-Boot System with Windows XP "
  • Jawshie, on 12/11/2007, -13/+47They should make the Windows Bootloader a little more friendly with Linux. I'm not going to install more than 1 Windows on my machine, I have a terrible experience with just one.
    • spyrochaete, on 12/11/2007, -4/+2Sometimes it's handy to have an extra Windows partition for staging or backup. Windows makes it easy to set up multiple bootable Windows partitions.
    • ZPWeeks, on 12/11/2007, -1/+11Vista has an awesome bootloader- unfortunately it only "automatically detects" Windows partitions. I'm a huge EasyBCD fan, using that the Vista bootloader is even easier to use and modify than GRUB. You can boot just about anything.
    • Justizzle, on 12/11/2007, -7/+10I'm not a fan of having to install Windows FIRST, then Linux. Screw taking over the MBR, that's like having a dictator running my computer. F that, I want a democracy!
      • TheSabre, on 12/11/2007, -4/+17If Ron Paul owned Microsoft, he'd allow Linux to run first.

        *hides*
        • IllBeBack, on 12/11/2007, -7/+4No, he'd allow the states to decide if Linux could run first. Then the rules would be different in every ***** state you go to, making it damned-near impossible to know the real rules.
          • asskey, on 12/11/2007, -1/+3If you are in the spirit of the analogy...Ron Paul would let YOU decide.
          • wedgemartin, on 12/12/2007, -1/+1Given his stance on abortion, he'd likely disallow you from uninstalling anything.
      • Jawshie, on 12/12/2007, -0/+0Complain to Microsoft.
    • thr33m, on 12/12/2007, -0/+1Yep, it basically ruined my machine to the point that i had to resort to vista. Blah.
    • bigsteve, on 12/12/2007, -0/+1Windows' bootloader is more than enough to boot Linux or BSD. I can't stand Vista, but I have it loaded as well to test .Net applications written on XP.
  • Rikushix, on 12/11/2007, -14/+4This was a somewhat entertaining read.
  • bightchee, on 12/11/2007, -13/+568So that's how my grandma keeps putting XP back on her computer.
    • Sornos, on 12/11/2007, -16/+7Damn it gramma! Get off Microsoft.com!
    • DrMonkeyLove, on 12/11/2007, -4/+80Just lock her in the closet like everyone else does with their grandmas.
    • matrixbandit, on 12/11/2007, -4/+41Get your grandma a router with a website blacklist, block microsoft.com and password protect the router config. Of course, she's a grandmother.. so chances are good that she already printed out the guide the first time so she could read it. (old people hate reading monitors). Case in point, my step dad keeps his desktop resolution set to 800x600. Whenever I come over to fix the latest problem he's created, I always leave it set to the highest res and he can never figure out how to set it back. Yea, it's pretty much my only passive aggressive outlet, but in my defense he is a big worthless unemployed douche bag who should really be spending his time finding and keeping a job rather than sitting around all day infecting his computer with viruses from porn sites. Just sayin'.
      /pointless rant
      • ilves7, on 12/11/2007, -3/+34wow family anger issues. see a therapist, it'll help in the long run.
        • klaarn, on 12/11/2007, -3/+20no it doesn't... :)
        • atticus8, on 12/11/2007, -4/+2ilves means it'll help the poor therapist get that 62" LCD he's had his eye on.
          "Listening to you ramble on for this 50 minute session has been VERY productive, but we still need a few more years of sessions until all your issues are well-talked about. That'll be $275, please. And try not to get any friends that will listen to you for free."
          In fact, screw this, I'm sending ilves a $20 bill just for reading his family troubles post. No, I'm not a professional therapist, but I'm a good listener and I enjoy outrageously billing people, so what's the difference?
        • Archon810, on 12/12/2007, -0/+2Seeing a therapist mostly helps the therapist. And Robert DeNiro.
  • ahpro, on 12/11/2007, -28/+21How do you know it was least used and that nobody used it?
    • diidiiidiid, on 12/11/2007, -19/+6because there are very few people that are so stupid that they switch from Linux to Windows.....
      ... and if a person somehow WOULD like to do that, they probably already know how since they have managed to install Linux
      • SteelFrog, on 12/11/2007, -7/+89Guess I'm stupid. I tried Ubuntu for a few weeks; couldn't get my Wireless card to connect to my WPA network. Tried the Ubuntu forums - no help. Couldn't play games, couldn't use my tradeskill apps (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc). I removed Linux and re-installed Windows. Oh look, working Wifi with Team Fotress 2, Photoshop and all the other things I like!

        // I like Ubuntu, don't get me wrong, but it's not for everyone. Calling someone stupid because they've decided it's not for them is just pointless and just further re-enforces the negative stereotype that Linux users are arrogant and pompous.
        • hyperair, on 12/11/2007, -7/+2Ah, the description to be used isn't stupid. It's not willing to try hard enough.
        • ScottyMcBaggs, on 12/11/2007, -3/+2@hyperair: why should he be willing to try hard if what he has works for him? FOSSies are easily the biggest group of douchebags on the innarwebs. It's like they don't understand that there are people who use computers for things other than programming, or simple day to day stuff like web-browsing. The people who bash Linux for no good reason other than "it doesn't play games" also have a similar short sight; not everyone plays games. I don't.

          In conclusion, everyone needs to realize that people should use what's best for THEM.
        • tetfsu, on 12/11/2007, -1/+2Comment Dugg Up for being truthful (see first sentence only)
        • archiesteel, on 12/11/2007, -1/+2That was probably some time ago - WPA is well-supported by Linux. For Photoshop/Illustrator, if you use them for work then you pretty much need Windows. Most people don't, however (especially not Illustrator).
          As for games, who cares? Xbox360/PS3/Wii FTW!
        • BlackCow, on 12/12/2007, -0/+1I thought Mac users officially had the arrogant and pompous stereotype.
      • FKnight, on 12/11/2007, -4/+22More "People who don't use Linux are stupid" crap.
        Good luck selling people on Linux, *****.

        • archiesteel, on 12/11/2007, -0/+1To be fair, that's not what he said. He said you'd be stupid to *switch back* to Windows. I personally disagree with him, but let's not make him say things he didn't say.
          In any case, someone who would refuse to try Linux just because of the attitude of a minority of its users would, in fact, be acting stupid. There is no logical reason to eschew a particular product because someone who likes it acts in a rude manner. If that was the case, you wouldn't be using Windows or OS X any more than Linux (they have their fair share of trolls as well), nor would you play games on *any* game console (console fanboys being the worst).
          Are you a Windows user? If so, should I not use Windows because you called someone you disagreed with "*****", a very rude term?
    • postalblowfish7, on 12/11/2007, -1/+8"You're like a child who wanders into the middle of a movie..."
    • SatansSpatula, on 12/11/2007, -2/+3Once again, Digg users require the visual aid of a clown in order to discern a joke.
      How about from now on, anything which is said tongue-in-cheek features a clear ";-)". Should that prove ineffective, we'll switch to those godawful .GIF emoticons.
      • gcauthon, on 12/11/2007, -0/+1Instead of visual aids, how about we try and make the joke funny? ;-)
  • flamingmb, on 12/11/2007, -17/+4in before schestowitz comment.
  • MV559er, on 12/11/2007, -8/+39After reading the title, I assumed this would be Microsoft Bob-related. But this is even more amusing.
    • falafelkiosken, on 12/11/2007, -0/+5"How to remove Windows XP and install Microsoft Bob"

      well it was very close
  • neiltc13, on 12/11/2007, -31/+11When people realise that they actually prefer to have software developed by professionals that is secure because no one has access to the source code who shouldn't then this guide will come in handy.

    I predict this will be happening quite a lot as of late given the amount of coverage Ubuntu is getting.
    • andycr512, on 12/11/2007, -2/+21For your reading pleasure:

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security_through_obsc ...
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security_by_design
      • neiltc13, on 12/11/2007, -6/+3Windows XP has both of them, Ubuntu has only one.

        Windows wins.
        • andycr512, on 12/11/2007, -2/+6Perhaps you should actually read it. Security through obscurity is a very very stupid idea.

          Oh, and no, XP did NOT have security by design. XP was the least secure OS Microsoft ever made at SP0, and it took 2 service packs and years of work to make it even close to secure. Vista is far better in that sense.
          • Orion682, on 12/11/2007, -0/+4And unfortunately, far worse in many many others :(
        • Orion682, on 12/11/2007, -0/+3HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

          He thinks XP was designed securely! XD

          Oh man, I needed a good laugh! Thanks! :D
    • matttaylor314, on 12/11/2007, -2/+19obscured source code does not improve security. If that were the case, Windows would be secure, which it isn't. Making the source code available allows for security audits by anyone and everyone and allows anyone to create patches. Also, just because Linux is free doesn't mean it's not developed by professionals. Do some research. I rate your trolling 1/10.
      • FKnight, on 12/11/2007, -9/+3Yeah because source files named "stable_api_nonsense", applications named "Pimp Ass Newsreader", and comments like "If you switch from Linux to Windows, you're stupid" are all serious indications of "professionalism."
        • hyperair, on 12/11/2007, -0/+8Now that's confusing the Linux developers with the Linux fanboys. Evidently they're different.
        • archiesteel, on 12/11/2007, -0/+3"and comments like "If you switch from Linux to Windows, you're stupid"
          Which Linux developer has said this? I'll be waiting for a link, otherwise I'll know you're simply full of it.
          Oh, and by the way, when parts of the Windows 2000 code was leaked a couple of years ago, it was filled with swear words. So according to your weak logic, those who made Windows are not professionals.
    • Orion682, on 12/11/2007, -1/+10Closed source in no way equals secure, and if you think it does, then you know nothing about system security.

      That's the argument that voting machine manufacturers make for why their source code is inaccessible, and those things are hacked in about 20 seconds... assuming they work correctly in the first place, which they typically don't.

      You don't need to know Window's source code to completely and irreparably trash the system, and the reason is that those so called "professionals" know dick-all about secure design. Hiding the source code does not make your system secure, it only makes it harder to find problems because you have less eyes looking at it.
    • wildcattdw, on 12/11/2007, -2/+6Someone's been drinking the Cool Aid. . .
    • KaiserArny, on 12/11/2007, -1/+6So No Professionals work at IBM, Google, Motorola, Red Hat, Novell.........
    • mvent2, on 12/11/2007, -0/+3Yep, because Linux has more viruses than Windo... oh wait, never mind.
  • Funpolice2050, on 12/11/2007, -21/+5Great article thanks.
  • kretik, on 12/11/2007, -19/+126Nothing screams stupidity like these "community" circle jerk sessions. LOL and all that.
    • SpeedSteamBoat, on 12/11/2007, -8/+12And you're now a part of it. Congrats.
    • Nerfdude, on 12/11/2007, -10/+31HAY, did yuo here that microsoft SUX?!!! UBUNTU FTMFW LOL

      k im gonna go play halo 3 now
    • idslite, on 12/11/2007, -8/+2I dugg you for the (I hope) MXC reference. Lol. Good job. (PS. MXC had "Circling Jerking" as one of the extreme games lol.
      • thebuggalo, on 12/11/2007, -1/+3you are as stupid as the people who thought that South Park was making fun of Bioshock when they did Heroin Hero.
    • Bamborzled, on 12/12/2007, -1/+1Three circle jerks on the front page as of now. Imagine that!
  • legendxx, on 12/11/2007, -32/+16everyone please fill out the survey at the bottom and mark it as useful just to shut these pompous linux nerds up
  • xm1014, on 12/11/2007, -7/+67It will be the most VIEWED page for a little while now...:)
    • shaka776, on 12/11/2007, -3/+13Don't you mean the MOST viewed page?

      Sorry, couldn't resist.
  • daxsymbiont, on 12/11/2007, -28/+18I did remove linux at least temporarily.

    Some stupid programs require windows.
    • ukfoole, on 12/11/2007, -12/+8In the spirit of Linux, why didn't you just write your own app as a replacement to the windows app you "Had to Have"?
      • daxsymbiont, on 12/11/2007, -3/+14In the spirit of linux, i didn't have the time or skill.

        amen, in the spirit of linux.
      • jspegele, on 12/11/2007, -3/+19Exactly! I mean, it's not like it's all that difficult. I wrote a replacement for 3D Studio Max the other day, in between sessions of WoW (well, the Linux version of WoW that I wrote).
      • mawh, on 12/11/2007, -4/+7This is why Linux won't become mainstream as much as XP.

        Command lines, writing your own programs? what average user can do that?
        You've gotta think user-friendly, which is why Microsoft has succeeded so much.
        • ScottyMcBaggs, on 12/11/2007, -3/+4Gee wow that is some incredible insight you've got there. Don't forget the whole anti trust bundled with every pc on earth thing.

          Who says the goal of the Linux community is mainstream 'success' in the sense you're talking? There is no single corporate entity behind "Linux". Epic fail on your part.
        • xtc46, on 12/11/2007, -3/+2uhhh Scotty...the goal of *nix is to get a a mojrity of people using it..hence it becomes mainstream. Ubuntu has been the most successful of this so far.


          @mawh...

          actually, there is very little need for any CLI interaction in new distros, so most users CAN use them. An average user needs a wrd processor and web browser, and I assure you, there are lots available for *nix. The push that needs to be made is getting hardware manufactures to load it on the box and sell it like that since the average user has no clue on how to install an OS
          • ScottyMcBaggs, on 12/12/2007, -0/+1Just because Ubuntu's goal is to get the majority of people using it, doesn't mean that that is the goal of the LINUX community or worse, freely distributed unix community (YEA most people think Linux == Ubuntu, but it doesn't). And also, STFU with the "*nix". It doesn't make you cool that you glob the family of OSs, and it doesn't make me believe you know what you're doing. Especially since, I think (actually, I know) the goal of unix that was in mind when it was designed, was an easy environment for programmers to work in. Because you don't know this, I am led to believe you are a Homobuntu douchebag who would slit their wrists if they ever had to actually use unix.
        • archiesteel, on 12/11/2007, -0/+1"Command lines, writing your own programs? what average user can do that?"
          I'm pretty sure that comment was a joke. I'm a long-time Linux users and I can assure you I've never written my own programs. (Well, recently I started to experiment with Bash scripting, but that's just for my personal education.)
          "You've gotta think user-friendly, which is why Microsoft has succeeded so much."
          Mac is more user-friendly than Microsoft, and yet they have a market share comparable to Linux. The *real* reason Windows is so prevalent is due to their past history of penalizing OEMs who wanted to put any other OS than DOS/Windows on their PCs. Basically, MS abused its dominating market position to squash the competition (first OS/2, then BeOS).
    • fuzzynyanko, on 12/11/2007, -1/+3If they didn't use too much GPU power, why not use VMWare on Linux? I guess there's the VirtualPC if you are going Windows-based as well...
    • mlwarrior, on 12/11/2007, -0/+9Dual boot.
    • kinstray, on 12/11/2007, -1/+6Use Virtual Box for Linux or Virtual Box for Windows, depending on what way your boat swings.

      http://www.virtualbox.org/

      How can they do that for free?? Watch yourself VMWare! BTW, writing a PHP web interface to Automatically create/start/stop Virtual Mahcines using VirtualBox.
    • Dobby156, on 12/11/2007, -6/+2im sorry but all program (that are industry standard) require windows, (not including servers, datacenters)
      • gaminggeek, on 12/11/2007, -1/+2There are a few very expensive graphics and film post production programs which run in linux like maya for example
      • Kitsun, on 12/11/2007, -2/+1Yep, Linux just has everything important, Hello Linux Digg servers!
      • erkokite, on 12/11/2007, -0/+2Maya, Pro/Engineer, Eclipse, MATLAB, and ANSYS all run under linux natively.
        • nayr, on 12/11/2007, -3/+1...And CAD software (mainstream, mind you)? How 'bout Photoshop?

          Buy a mac! *ducks*
        • erkokite, on 12/12/2007, -0/+1Maya and Pro/Engineer both count as CAD, and both are very widely used, industry standard tools.
    • TheZorch, on 12/11/2007, -1/+7Obviously someone's never heard of WINE.
  • Murdochi, on 12/11/2007, -26/+8If I bought a PC second-hand and it had Linux on it already I'd damn well want a guide to get rid of it.
    • willief, on 12/11/2007, -1/+4If you bought a PC second-hand, you are going to spend another $90 for a copy of XP? Or, are you going to pirate a copy?

      Option a) the OS costs as much as the PC (and probably runs like crap)
      Option b) well, that's peachy. It's a great OS as long as you can steal it.
      • mlwarrior, on 12/11/2007, -1/+3Options a and b contradict each other.
  • KenRay, on 12/11/2007, -14/+2I doubt this page will be considered as "least used" once a tidal wave of digg users visit it.

    (Dang it xm1014, you beat me to it.)
    • johnny222, on 12/11/2007, -1/+2So why did you comment?
      • chugger1992, on 12/11/2007, -1/+2maybe because you can't delete comments...?
        • KenRay, on 12/11/2007, -1/+0Yep, during that 100 seconds or so of posting a comment I saw it.
        • beastlykings, on 12/11/2007, -0/+1sure you did.....
          :D
  • bob07, on 12/11/2007, -70/+61God I hate Linux-Heads. I can see A LOT of people using this guide. 50% of those being the Linux-Heads posting above who will remember this guide when they get over their two-week Linux phase.
    • kalosaurusrex, on 12/11/2007, -10/+21lol Linux is not a phase. seriously...
      • Nerfdude, on 12/11/2007, -7/+3"lol", if it wasn't, unix would be gaining steam. instead, windows rules 90% of the market share, whether you digg me down or not.
        • fluxion, on 12/11/2007, -0/+4the UNIX "phase" has been longer than the entire lifespan of Windows, Apple, and Bill Gates

          and linux competes against unix in the server market, so there's no correlation between linux not being a phase and unix gaining steam. it's also foolish to suggest that linux is not gaining steam. the percentage of users out there who have run or run linux has increased tremendously. if you have other arguments against linux great, but there is certainly much more momentum now then there was in the past
          • Nerfdude, on 12/11/2007, -1/+2....so it's been around longer than all that, and yet it shares 10% of the market with far more mainstream/user-friendly unix variant OSX? high five!
          • fluxion, on 12/11/2007, -1/+3linux and unix combined surpassed windows share in the server marketplace in 2000.

            osx was the first serious attempt to bring unix to the desktop market and it has been extremely successul given the growth apple has experiences in the past few years

            attempts to bring linux to the desktop market havent been quite as successful, but never before has a single distribution acquired as much growth as with ubuntu in recent years.

            so yes, linux is picking up steam, and unix has been quite successful in the areas it was properly marketed toward. no it hasnt toppled microsoft, but that's a ridiculous requirement in determining the success of a community driven software project
        • fluxion, on 12/11/2007, -0/+1ok maybe not bill gates
        • archiesteel, on 12/11/2007, -1/+2"if it wasn't, unix would be gaining steam"
          What are you talking about? Linux usage is increasing worldwide...sure, the percentages are still low, but you don't overthrow an abusive monopoly overnight...
      • RockinRoel, on 12/11/2007, -5/+2It is a phase, it's a phase between Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X.

        /fanboy, digg me down.
      • aiten, on 12/11/2007, -1/+7First of all we're not called "linux-heads". That indicates to me that you are, for starters, ignorant.

        Secondly Linux is not a phase. People who uninstall Linux after two weeks are drop-outs, people who have just given up. I know for a fact that it takes around one month of not wussing out, and persisting with Linux before you see the benefits that it can provide you, and after that you'll love it. I t takes that month to get out of the windows "comfort zone" and realise the appeal that linux has.

        But.

        You are obviously some worthless person who stays in their comfort zone and does not desire to advance themselves. So stick to windows.
      • MikeGrenade, on 12/11/2007, -2/+1Today kids, we're going to practice reading comprehension!

        You'll notice that bob07's comment does not refer to Linux itself as a phase. Instead, it clearly states that some users are going through a phase of using Linux that he predicts will be short lived. That does not mean he's calling Linux a phase, unless 50% of the posters above are the entire Linux installation base - Your call on that one.
    • arcade, on 12/11/2007, -2/+28I wonder when I'm going to get over my now 10 years linux phase, and counting.

      Oh, except for my small BSD & Solaris phases in between. :P
      • bob07, on 12/11/2007, -2/+0Those 10yr guys need special attention! xD
    • Phocion55, on 12/11/2007, -6/+8I think the thing most people are jokingly pointing out is that there is no "How to Dual Boot" guide.....only "How to Ensure You Touch Nothing Else Besides Microsoft Products" guide.
    • ArthurSucks, on 12/11/2007, -4/+15I find it funny that most MSFT fanboys think that everyone is a secret Windows user. Oh so shallow.
      • Nerfdude, on 12/11/2007, -8/+390% of the world is a windows user. there's a good chance most people are.
        • andycr512, on 12/11/2007, -0/+7I think you misunderstood; I have read tons of comments which go something like "You only yell about how good Linux is because you hate Microsoft, and you secretly run Windows!"
        • archiesteel, on 12/11/2007, -0/+1Nerfdude, most people who use Windows complain about it. I do Windows Support for family and friends, and Windows users are by far the most dissatisfied with their OSes. Most continue to use it because of familiarity, or because they are locked-in with some program or proprietary file format.
      • bob07, on 12/11/2007, -1/+2LOL. Somewhat true!
    • Aleman360, on 12/11/2007, -11/+7haha, so true. I have a two week Linux phase about once a year. I install the latest popular distro, spend a few days configuring everything, and get all excited about it. Then realize that it does the exact same things for me that Windows can do but instead I need to use knock-offs of Office and Photoshop and I can't play a lot of games.
      • GuruCesc, on 12/11/2007, -2/+4And you needed to check this guide to have it removed, right??
      • MikeGrenade, on 12/11/2007, -2/+1Clearly this man should be dugg down for making so much sense. What a jerk.
    • SpeedSteamBoat, on 12/11/2007, -4/+10God I hate Vista-Heads. I can see A LOT of people using this guide. 50% of those being the Vista-Heads posting above who will remember this guide when they get over their two-week Vista phase.

      See what I did there?
      • Dubbsacc, on 12/11/2007, -0/+3No...please do it again.
      • MikeGrenade, on 12/11/2007, -2/+1Yeah. And it doesn't make sense.
        (WHAT Vista-heads?)
    • Brabus, on 12/11/2007, -2/+7Hey bob07's, Digg is hosted on a Linux server!
      LAMP for Life Baby!
    • BHSPitMonkey, on 12/11/2007, -2/+6Seven years and counting...
    • m3t00, on 12/11/2007, -0/+4Really now, how hard is it to put in a CD and follow on screen instructions? The steps are the same to install ANY operating system on PC hardware, regardless of what is already on it. Delete existing partitions, continue as usual. Step 2) Cry about Linux on Digg.
    • gpcprog, on 12/11/2007, -0/+4Idiot. Once you summon to courage to install linux and see KDE in all it's beauty, never will you want to get to the dark old world of windows.In any rate my linux machine UI looks much nicer and runs twice as fast as XP, even though Linux is running on a machine with really crappy athlon, while XP is running on Core Duo with twice the clock speed.
    • erkokite, on 12/11/2007, -0/+2I've used Linux on my primary desktop for about a year now, and wouldn't consider moving back to Windows.
    • digggggggggg, on 12/11/2007, -0/+1Where I work, our clients run Linux, our development machines are Macs, and there are a couple of Windows machines around as well that mount off Samba.
      Seriously folks, the big 3 operating systems are not mutually exclusive. Setting up a non-homogenous network is almost trivial nowadays.
    • macoafi, on 12/12/2007, -0/+1Year and a half for me, a year for my family. Still no thoughts of switching back.
  • sporktek, on 12/11/2007, -13/+35Buried for innacurate title. I have personally sent a customer to this page after he mistakenly formatted his drive when he got his Ubuntu live CD accidentaly swapped with a Trixbox install disc.
    • spyrochaete, on 12/11/2007, -1/+11I hate when that happens. Silly rabbit.
    • RoboDonut, on 12/11/2007, -0/+14How do you "accidentally" format your hard drive?
      • Smiff2, on 12/11/2007, -0/+1he had to be facing the wrong way
      • bigredgpk, on 12/11/2007, -0/+2There is no limit to stupidity... i've seen it done before.
        • danielsamuels, on 12/11/2007, -1/+2I've done it before. But that wasn't my fault. I didn't know Vista Server Edition formatted all of your hard drives..
    • KataLieb, on 12/11/2007, -0/+6What did your friend accidentally do when following that guide if he cant even keep track of what cd he put in the drive :D
  • theendlessnow, on 12/11/2007, -9/+205Microsoft now reports that millions of people have been seeking out information on how to remove Linux. Full page ad to run in the WSJ.
    • TrainingName, on 12/11/2007, -20/+6I failed to 'LoL'.
    • desslock73, on 12/11/2007, -0/+1Solid commentary re the state of affairs of corporate & gov PR crap. btw, I did LOL.
    • lime148, on 12/12/2007, -1/+2As if millions of people use Linux in the first place, LOL.
      • init100, on 12/13/2007, -0/+1How many do you think there are, five? Millions of people are using Linux, whether you like it or not.
  • TrevorBradley, on 12/11/2007, -2/+11The page, nor the one linking to the use of fdisk talk about the "fdisk /mbr" commands, the most useful and important for removing linux and getting LILO, GRUB or some other bootloader out of the Master Boot Record. They say you can do it, they just don't say how. Least Useful indeed.

    Kids, don't try it at home unless you really want to wipe that hard drive clean.
    • Skooma714, on 12/11/2007, -0/+3Yes, use the recovery console on the XP/Vista/2000 Cd and type fixmbr (mbrfix?)

      Works everytime GRUB ***** the bed.
      • SpeedSteamBoat, on 12/11/2007, -2/+3How do I used Ubuntu/Fedora rescue disk?
      • Skooma714, on 12/11/2007, -2/+2Don't know, Windows is always working fine and I don't use Linux enough to break it.
    • digggggggggg, on 12/11/2007, -0/+3Even when you overwrite your MBR, the remaining contents of your hard drive remain intact. There are actually programs that can recompute the MBR based on what it sees on the rest of the drive.
    • memodude, on 12/12/2007, -0/+1afaik fdisk /mbr will kill your drive, but it doesn't work in xp anyway. fixmbr or fixboot off of the recovery console is definitely the best way to do it, and it'll leave your data intact.
    • Daniel15, on 12/12/2007, -0/+1It's mentioned at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315224/en-us ("How to Remove the Linux LILO Boot Manager")
  • Teegtahn, on 12/11/2007, -6/+20The MS KB has everything, doesn't it? The best one (to take out of context) is "What to do when your computer randomly plays Fur-elise." (or was it Classical Music, I forget the title)
  • caranthir, on 12/11/2007, -24/+7No sane person will ever use Linux once he has know some Linux users.
    Worst nerd-idiots on the planet.
    • threehundred00, on 12/11/2007, -0/+4So based on the type of people who use an operating system, that should influence people on whether or not they use it? How idiotic can you be? Honestly?
      • Coldkill, on 12/11/2007, -0/+3Look at every comment he's made, it's all trolling
        • archiesteel, on 12/11/2007, -0/+1Thanks, after reading that I promptly blocked him.
    • KaiserArny, on 12/11/2007, -0/+5So based On your comment history, No sane person would ever use Windows after the meet you. Can't more of a fanboy than that.
    • m3t00, on 12/11/2007, -1/+1Your mom won't leave my basement.
  • nutsackninja, on 12/11/2007, -54/+115For me it would be a very useful page, after spending 15 hours trying to get my video card on my laptop to work, the only solution that the Linux community could come up with is to upgrade the video card from ATI to NVIDIA. I never seen a more buggier GUI then when I was running Linux, double click an icon... Boom nothing happens. Press a button to setup my wireless network Boom nothing happens and the whole GUI locks.

    I don't have time to spend hours upon hours bashing 100's of commands to get something simple like a video card or a wireless card to work.

    Windows XP was much more stable and guess what IT JUST WORKED!

    Digg me down all you want just proves my point that your all elitist snobs.
    • ShavedRegressor, on 12/11/2007, -12/+16Looks like a useful link. I bought a Dell with Ubuntu preinstalled, and it has been a mess.

      The machine started locking up because of buggy graphics drivers right out of the box. Overall the software didn't seem very polished. Then an upgrade from Ubuntu Feisty Fawn to Gutsy Gibbon trashed the machine. Now it just boots to a command prompt with a screen full of errors.

      Ubuntu or other Linux variants probably make sense for embedded devices and whatnot, but they don't seem ready for the desktop yet.

      Back to Windows for me.
      • Dobby156, on 12/11/2007, -7/+2good choice!
      • archiesteel, on 12/11/2007, -2/+9Either you had faulty hardware or (most probably) that post is a complete fabrication.
        I personally don't believe you actually got a Ubuntu Dell. Instead, I believe you are falsely claiming to have done so (and that it was a mess) in order to further your own anti-Linux agenda. Classic FUD, in other words.
        • ShavedRegressor, on 12/12/2007, -0/+1I bought a Dell Inspiron 1420N with Ubuntu 7.04 preinstalled ($1214). About an hour after opening the box, I looked through the screen savers. Some of the 3D screen savers looked messed up, and one of them (maybe Ants or something?) locked the machine. I could reboot, but not change the screen saver, because opening the screen saver dialog started a preview of the current (bad) screen saver, locking the machine yet again.

          A graphics driver update was able to fix that problem. But the idea that a machine with such a severe configuration problem would be shipped like this reflects poorly on both Dell and Ubuntu.

          Then a later attempt to upgrade from 7.04 to 7.10 hosed my laptop. That was the last straw for me.

          That you would accuse me of being a liar - merely because I had problems with Ubuntu and didn't like it - is absurd. Do you really have such a religious devotion for your OS of choice that you refuse to believe that it can have flaws?
    • ZPWeeks, on 12/11/2007, -8/+26Your problem is a hardware support one, and that's something that the Linux community is more than aware of - yes, Windows has better hardware support, but that isn't because Windows is a better OS from a technical standard, but because it is a more popular OS that vendors simply have to write drivers for.
      Your problems do not reflect those of many Linux users. The GUI is not broken or buggy, it has problems with your hardware.
      Many, many people are working on making Linux "just work" because that is what it will take for it to have real success on the personal desktop/laptop. It isn't there, but over the past few years, it's gotten better by leaps and bounds. My system is very generic (Intel chipset and graphics) but it runs Linux great.
      I would suggest interpreting your experience as "Linux isn't 'there yet', especially for your hardware", not "Linux is a technically inferior OS because it doesn't work on my computer."

      (Oh, by the way, I don't use Linux right now either. I spend 90% of my time in Windows Vista.)
      • SpeedSteamBoat, on 12/11/2007, -4/+2Thank you, ZPWeeks.
      • fullphaser, on 12/11/2007, -4/+2I disagree, having used Linux for a home server, and a few other testing applications. I must say I do not enjoy sudo ... ... In fact I really don't enjoy the fact that to run the setup and even CHMOD files and folders manually through the command prompt, and the actual GUI offered all of nothing when it came to providing assistance. People can say what they want about the windows GUI, or even the OS's but the thing is that little wizard that is made so that the user doesn't have to go to the command prompt and follow a series of steps to make sure that their install actually works. When the can just click next and go, or on a mac simply drag it into the apps folder. That is simple and easy. The Linux GUI is still severely lacking.
        • localzuk, on 12/11/2007, -0/+2Huh? Last I checked you just double click on a .deb application file in ubuntu and voila, it tries to install - after asking for you to confirm. It then looks for all the dependencies (which with many windows apps you have to do it yourself or you end up with 10 copies of the same DLL file on your computer as they don't understand the concept of modualisation).

          And also, last I checked, you can change permissions on a file by right clicking on it and following a similar (but eaiser) system to in Windows. Or you can use the command prompt if you want to actually do things quicker.

          One thing you will often hear from network administrators is that installing software on Windows is a nightmare - there is no 'standard' for install files, so you end up repackaging things - which is hit and miss. In linux, they can run a simple script and tell all your machines to install a .deb file.
      • m00n1, on 12/12/2007, -2/+2Technical superiority is pretty theoretical if you can't get it to run. I would argue they ARE the same thing.
    • jwaldrop, on 12/11/2007, -5/+7I agree with nutsackninja. I've had a good amount of experience with downloading and using different variants of Linux on both my Apple and Windows based computers. In the end I don't have time to try and make the operating system work for me, Windows and Mac OS already are just fine, although not perfect, they do the job with a lot less effort it takes to get a Linux distro to work on any given computer. This page also makes sense because there are a lot of PCs coming bundled with Linux nowadays (Eee PC, some Dell pcs, etc) and people that realize they want Windows on their system would possibly find this useful. Microsoft is a big bad company, and I would love to have time to get into the Linux community and help build up what has become an incredible project, but I have classes full time and work full time, I have barely any time to fix problems that arise on my Mac or PC, let alone the hours it takes to get one piece of simple hardware to work on Linux.
      • semorehighknee, on 12/12/2007, -0/+1"they do the job with a lot less effort it takes to get a Linux distro to work on any given computer."
        Don't you mean on YOUR computer? Linux works right out the box on mine and I've never looked back. One person's experience on one computer...
      • wedgemartin, on 12/12/2007, -1/+3Dugg for 'i agree with nutsackninja'
    • kroni, on 12/11/2007, -13/+5you all should not be allowed to use a computer
    • m3t00, on 12/11/2007, -11/+6The word you wanted is "you're" as in "you're welcome" and "you're not worthy".
      You're a vinegar and water douche.
      • MikeGrenade, on 12/11/2007, -3/+1What a well-rounded argument. I think I'm going to bury you now.
        EDIT: And very much on topic, I should add! Clearly such a grammatical error indicates a complete lack of computer-related skills.
        • wedgemartin, on 12/12/2007, -0/+1I heard he's got bo-staff skills though.
    • baldgye, on 12/11/2007, -5/+5yeah i totally agree, after spending a few days playing with Linux on dual boot, i gave up... its just too much hassle for an OS that essentially dose less than Windows, takes longer to configure and would offer me no real benefit over Windows.
      • nielkie, on 12/11/2007, -0/+2Ubuntu 7.10's installation can set-up dual-boot automatically. It also can import information, email, favorites, etc. from your Windows installation.
    • Mtown, on 12/11/2007, -3/+3Linux is just overly complicated for what it does. Sure the desktop looks cool but the hastle just to get that isn't work it. It took my roommate over 25 minutes just to install a graphics driver for an Nvidia card, and the whole process required multiple restarts and remembering different commands and filepaths. It was a mess.
      • nielkie, on 12/11/2007, -0/+3In Ubuntu, it takes all of
        System -> Administration -> Restricted Driver Manager -> Tick Boxes -> Click Enable
        • Viriatus, on 12/11/2007, -2/+1if you are lucky it works that way. If you have and ATI you probably have to install the drivers manually.
    • slmdmd, on 12/11/2007, -5/+3WindowsXP is for people who just want to buy a ford car from the market
      Linux is for the type of people who want to build a car like Ferari on their own.
      In other words, Windowsxp is for Computer Users
      Linux is for Computer Science graduates or the adventure types who are self learners.
      Vista is for idiots.
      • Viriatus, on 12/11/2007, -1/+2Nope, Linux is for people who collect junk material and try to build a Ferrari. Spend endless days to configure it but eventually give up because there isn't a proper XYZ driver or program YY is buggy and move to another Linux distribution and try again. Windows is like a cheap car the ages well if you know how to care of it or explodes in a giant explosion if you don't know what a trojan is. MacOS X are for gay and rich people. But they do get a good computer but can play only a few games or use few applications
    • ProphetSix, on 12/11/2007, -5/+8The first rule of Linux is don't use ATI.
      The second rule of Linux is DON'T USE ATI.
      But, you prolly didn't know that, so, I can see where the frustration comes from.
      • Viriatus, on 12/11/2007, -2/+1best commentary here. ATI sucks, ***** them.
    • archiesteel, on 12/11/2007, -3/+7"the only solution that the Linux community could come up with is to upgrade the video card from ATI to NVIDIA."
      False. Follow this guide, problem solved:
      http://wiki.cchtml.com/index.php/Ubuntu_Gutsy_Inst ...
      "I never seen a more buggier GUI then when I was running Linux, double click an icon... Boom nothing happens. Press a button to setup my wireless network Boom nothing happens and the whole GUI locks."
      There was something wrong with your setup, that's for sure. My Linux laptop hasn't locked once since I bought it and installed Windows on it, two years ago.
      "I don't have time to spend hours upon hours bashing 100's of commands to get something simple like a video card or a wireless card to work."
      You don't actually. Restricted Manager in Ubuntu will do all that automatically. And you never had to write hundreds of commands to do this - you can easily tell when someone is spreading FUD by their very liberal use of exaggerations...
    • Oea420, on 12/11/2007, -2/+11You can only consider linux 'free' if you don't value your time at all.
    • inquebiss, on 12/12/2007, -1/+1Not sure what the problem is. Ubuntu detected my wireless network (and 5 others) after a fresh install and I never had an issue with my graphics card once the restricted drivers were installed (which ubuntu prompted me to do)
    • keyo, on 12/12/2007, -0/+1I've found it to be the other way around. I just installed XP (for my gaming pc) and I have to go on a "Driver Marathon" just to get everything working. Ubuntu however does all my printers, wireless, graphics drivers for me. - out of the box (which I don't have to buy). Then there are the virus hassles, which you can forget.

      You've just had a bad run in with hardware, I suggest when you buy your next computer make sure the wireless, sound and graphics will work with Ubuntu, that way you also give hardware companies more reason to make Linux drivers.
      When I installed Ubuntu 6.06 3 or 4 things didn't work, now with 7.10 everything works, even my bluetooth, they've come along way.
  • Ev3nt372, on 12/11/2007, -12/+9I could imagine how many people would use that page after they found out that they couldn't run their favorite programs on Linux.
    • diidiiidiid, on 12/11/2007, -1/+6"found out".... isn't that something you should have looked up before installing Linux
      • FKnight, on 12/11/2007, -5/+2Sure. People look stuff like that up all the time. The answer they get from all you Linux fans is that it all works just fine. Who's fault is that?

        • threehundred00, on 12/11/2007, -2/+3It is the fault of the person who does not look up compatibility of the program. Programs designed for Linux work great, on Linux. Surprise, surprise. If you want to use your "favorite program" then do the research and find out what OS is compatible with. I don't base whether or not I use a program on whether or not people tell me it works fine on an operating system. Do a little leg work and find out for yourself.
        • SpeedSteamBoat, on 12/11/2007, -0/+5I've NEVER seen this happen in all the time I've spent cruising around various Linux forum's.

          I've seen people confirm the software is available for Linux if that is the case. I've seen software be confirmed not to work and alternatives offered up in their place. I've seen solutions like Wine offered up with a degree of for-warning. Never have I seen someone get blatantly lied to and misguided into believing all their Windows software would work under Linux.

          Please, try not to let you seething and seemingly unjustified hatred for Linux spill out into outright lies. It only serves to make your argument appear weak and unfounded, which, at this point, it is.
      • FKnight, on 12/11/2007, -5/+2EDIT: Additionally, if anyone tries to find out if the application they need will run under Linux, a bunch of Linux fans who have no idea about the person's profession start telling him what applications he SHOULD be running and why he doesn't need the application his business or profession requires.
        • SpeedSteamBoat, on 12/11/2007, -0/+4Buried for lies and lack of proof.

          What "application" does a "business or profession require" that people are being told they don't need exactly?
          • FKnight, on 12/11/2007, -3/+1Don't give me that crap. Every day someone mentions that Photoshop CS3 or something doesn't work with Linux and that it's a showstopper for them switching to Linux. Then a bunch of people who don't even do anything related to photography for a living start telling the guy that he should be using GIMP anyway. I don't need to provide you proof. Just freaking pay attention. Photoshop/GIMP isn't the only example.
          • archiesteel, on 12/11/2007, -1/+2If someone *needs* CS3, then obviously they should use Windows or OSX, and no serious Linux advocates would suggest using Gimp instead. However, professional photographers do not represent such a large group of users; for pretty much everyone else, alternatives such as Gimp and Pixel are good enough. In fact, Film Gimp (now known as Cinepaint) is used a lot in the film industry, and Gimp is also used professionally in some 3D games company for textures. I use both on a regular basis, and though some people do in fact need PS, the vast majority of users could in fact use Gimp (or Pixel).
            Anyway, we get it: you don't like Linux. Don't use it, please, but don't go around telling others they shouldn't be using it - unless you like doing an abusive monopoly's marketing for free (because that *is* what you are doing, whether you realize it or not).
        • Nerfdude, on 12/11/2007, -3/+1ding ding.
          "JUST USE OPENOFFICE IT'S SO MUCH BETTER LOL"
          • RoboDonut, on 12/11/2007, -1/+1That's the worst example you could have used.
            Gimp vs. Photoshop would have been better.
          • archiesteel, on 12/11/2007, -0/+1Open Office 2 is an excellent alternative for MS Office, whether you're using Linux or Windows.
    • RoboDonut, on 12/11/2007, -5/+4OH NOES, THERES NO AIM FOR LINUX!!!?!
      THIS OS SUCKS.
      WHAT'S THIS ABOUT A PIDGIN>!?!
      I DON'T WANT A BIRD, I WANT TO CHAT ON AIM.
      • dcre, on 12/11/2007, -1/+4If your too dumb to know what Pidgin is then you clearly shouldn't be using Linux from the begining. I doubt that you even get what Windows is about.
        • xtc46, on 12/11/2007, -2/+1and its that attitude that will stop it from being a mainstream OS. The *nix community needs to realise that they will have to accommodate the dumbest of the dumb if they want to be mainstream.
        • fullphaser, on 12/11/2007, -1/+1absolutely agree with above post. The linux community in general is making their OS and gearing it towards other computer users (which in honest is not such a bad thing). But if you want the OS to be anything more than a web sever, you are going to have to realize who it is you are trying to give your OS to. The people you are making this OS for don't want to have to fire up wine and essentially virtulize windows for their favorite programs to run, they just want to run them (obviously the fact that photoshop, aim, and many others are not designed for linux ads to the problem, but still my point remains). You have to design for joe blow, and Joe Blow doesn't know bash.
        • RoboDonut, on 12/11/2007, -0/+2Linux is my OS of choice, and Pidgin is my IM client of choice. I was attempting to point out the absurdity of choosing your OS based on your "favorite programs"
          Learn to recognize satire.
        • archiesteel, on 12/11/2007, -0/+1Linux is as easy to use for complete newbies as Windows is. It's the Windows gamers and power users who have a problem with Linux...
        • nailer, on 12/11/2007, -0/+21. "You're". As in "you are"
          2. He's being sarcastic.

    • Katana314, on 12/11/2007, -0/+1Well, for me it was more like this...
      "Oh, I can play Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory on Linux? Cool?"

      "Oh. I was expecting a version with sound."
  • myranttoyou, on 12/11/2007, -29/+8The Penis - The least used body part for linux fanbois. Care to guess why?
    • Punch405, on 12/11/2007, -2/+11Because most porn sites require Internet Explorer?

      (no fanboi, but this had to be said)
    • timestar, on 12/11/2007, -1/+7How is it the least used? They use it everyday while running Compiz-Fusion.
    • ArthurSucks, on 12/11/2007, -1/+3Spoken like a true virgin.
    • link5280, on 12/11/2007, -1/+2Thought it was brain!
    • DarkDragon, on 12/12/2007, -0/+2The least used part of the body for windows "fanbois" is the brain.
    • macoafi, on 12/12/2007, -1/+2Oh oh! I know why I (Linux user) don't use my penis! It's because I don't have one! I'm FEMALE
  • borchard76, on 12/11/2007, -2/+34I heard (in 2001) that microsoft had something like over 200,000 pages on their publicly accessible website that had never been viewed by a human. This was said at a web-development conference hosted in Seattle by a group called Thunder LIzard (which is oddly defunct now, I do believe) for a bunch of mid-level designers. I didn't pay anything for it, so that was good. The point, however, was that a lot of web pages are never viewed by anyone, and only exist because their design spec says they should.

    Disclaimer: I have no way to validate this information, even if I cared to. Also, I have no idea how they classified versions of dynamically generated pages.

    Oh well.
    • jsebrech, on 12/11/2007, -1/+1One of those almost never viewed pages: http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb821013. ...

      I've been developing an outlook add-in that uses a lot of extended mapi. I'm glad MS documents so thoroughly (and even then, there's stuff they didn't document that I need).
      • AdamFromMyspace, on 12/11/2007, -1/+2I hear you. As a .NET developer, I'm sometimes thankful Microsoft has documentation on some of the weirdest things, that out of context of development, I wouldn't be able to guess why they're there.
  • Christbait, on 12/11/2007, -9/+18Microsoft's guides are the most useless anyway. I never go to their site for help with my Windows machine because it's near impossible to find what you want and you always end up with completely irrelevant search results.
    • xtc46, on 12/11/2007, -0/+3thats why I use good to search the MS KB
    • fullphaser, on 12/11/2007, -0/+1you could at least tell them their help pages suck =P they do have a rating system you know .
  • pr3sidentspence, on 12/11/2007, -11/+42Everyone who has tried linux and gone back to Windows please reply.
    • ceralon, on 12/11/2007, -11/+16Gone back. Ubunutu was too unstable, i tried two distros.. neither were reliable. Even on an older machine, and a brand new laptop.
    • sanotaan, on 12/11/2007, -7/+12here here
    • alenm88, on 12/11/2007, -24/+11me... i use Mac , but in a PC i installed ubuntu for 1 day. Then i turned it back to windows XP. Linux is for idiots and people who likes the pain and frustration.

      I mean .. people who ACTUALLY LIKES spending hours and days tryng to make the vido-graphics-sound card to work is because they have many free time. I buy my Mac, turn it on, and it works!

      Besides, Linux apps suck



      • ScottyMcBaggs, on 12/11/2007, -1/+7I'm guessing the 88 in your username is either:
        a. Your year of birth
        b. Your IQ
        c. All of the above
        • MikeGrenade, on 12/11/2007, -2/+1I think English is his second language, you insensitive prick.
    • STKD, on 12/11/2007, -18/+11Another. Every nightmare I have involves being stuck in a world with only Linux or OS X.
    • GamerSDG, on 12/11/2007, -11/+9me to
    • mcflynnthm, on 12/11/2007, -4/+12I like Ubuntu, especially 7.10, but for some reason, WoW invariably hangs at the loading screen in WINE, so it's back to XP. If Linux can't appease my addiction, then it cannot be my primary OS (though I was playing Portal no problems).
      • admdrew, on 12/12/2007, -0/+2Try running WoW in OpenGL, as it defaults to running Direct3D. I can't remember the argument to do it, but it works just fine in Wine.
        On the other hand, it doesn't look as nice as Windows+D3D, but it still runs well.
      • Jawshie, on 12/12/2007, -0/+0Dont blame Linux or WINE for this... I always think of it as a miracle that we can run some Windows applications on Linux in the first place. WoW wasn't made to run on Linux or in WINE. To think that people misplace the blame is silly.
        btw: wine WoW.exe -opengl
    • ShavedRegressor, on 12/11/2007, -8/+10I bought a laptop with Ubuntu preinstalled. The 3D screensaver locked it up right out of the box. Then an upgrade to Ubuntu