if i install linux can i play games or use files that need windows xp?

Question

i have windows me and i wanted to upgrade to an xp for free but someone told me to use linux and everything is free and i will be able to play those games is this true?

Answer 1

all depending of the linux. they are free. most know are linux SUSE and RedHat. if they offer a program inside the Linux system to run windows programs then you will be able to run all the stuff from windows. or the other way around where the cd is made bootable for linux (in the case of diablo2, its make for windwos,mac and linux i think but im pretty sure)



if you dont have such compatibility program its technically impossible. Most windwos use DOS based language while Linux use Unix program language.



Indeed Linux free( free software free of virus, spyware and the rest) of everything

Answer 2

For regular applications (not games) your best bet is going to be either wine ( http://www.winehq.com ) or Crossover Linux ( http://www.codeweavers.com ) to run windows programs. Crossover Linux is not free, but I've heard it's well worth the expense since it's fairly easy to use. Also, it can play many games as well.

For gaming, the best I've used is Cedega ( http://www.transgaming.com ) -- it's not free, they use a subscription model. It's worth the expense, though, and at any time you can cancel your membership and continue to use the software the membership gets you access to support, forums, software updates, and votes towards what games should be ported next).



In addition, a number of good games have linux versions, such as Quake and Doom.



Good luck.



PS: as mentioned, Windows software works best under Windows. But I assume when you ask the question you did, that you are making an educated decision not to use windows in favor of linux. So the best idea before making a snap decision is to get educated.

If you are a glaring newbie to linux, you CAN still use it. Regardless what people say, it IS ready for public consumption, if you consume the right flavor in the right amounts. You may want to start with a linux distribution that is very user-friendly such as Mandriva Linux, PCLinuxOS, Knoppix or Ubuntu, all of which you can run as something called "LiveCDs" -- this means you can burn them to a CD or a DVD, and then boot your computer from the CD or DVD. This way, you can TRY linux out before you destroy a hard drive installing it.



Then, you will know for certain whether or not this path is for you. Google or Yahoo searches for the above names will lead you to places you can download CD images or orders CDs usually just for the cost of shipping.

Answer 3

There are some things that just won't run on Linux. There are emulation programs like Wine, which work with varying degrees of success.



If you use some things, especially games, that are windows-only, you really don't have much choice.



Linux is a very good system, but a lot of software isn't written for it, so it depends on what you need to run.

Answer 4

Warning: If you're new to *nix/BSD, you're going to have a high time learning it from the ground up. It's even more unfriendly than DOS, and requires patience to type carefully (good if you're learning programming, terrible if you just want the system to work).



*nix/BSD is mainly good for servers, where qualified users who like to tweak settings can have total control of the rig. If you plan to use a system for gaming, for video and graphics work, leave *nix/BSD out of the equation -- you'll be a user, not a tweaker, and only will be frustrated that every setting has to be manually set, tweaked and configured to work properly (on FreeBSD, especially).



And another warning: newer games won't install (or if they do with problems) in emulation mode. Plus the need to install another OS on a seperate partition (on one drive), can cause more problems maintaining Windows. Straight, single partitions work best, and easier to maintain.



I'd hold out in buying XP for now if your system can pass the Vista requirements, and just buy Vista instead. Saves you over $200, as Vista is long overdue and needed to keep up with the newest hardware.

Answer 5

If you have Windows, why change to an OS that will require emulation software to run your existing programs?

Linux may be 'free' but that doesn't make it good.

It has it's place, but isn't mature enough to be easy enough for the general public yet.

Answer 6

i tried linspire and it was great but it kept crashing on my system and you cant play your wondows xp cd-rom games on linux