Operating systems

Michael wants to install Linux on a bootable USB key, but it doesn't work. It goes straight to Windows. Leo recommends Rufus for creating a bootable key for Linux. But the first thing you want to do is change the boot order in your BIOS to check the USB port first. Then, turn off secure boot. Modern PCs have this setting to protect your computer against a rogue operating system. Third, modern OS uses UEFI, not BIOS. So your computer likely needs to reflect that in your USB key. So you want to be sure your Linux Distro is UEFI compatible.

Timmy installed POP-OS Linux on an old HP laptop. But when he reboots, it won't update the system files. Leo says that this is a common issue in Linux, where, for security reasons, unsigned software isn't allowed to be installed into Linux. Leo says he will need to get the new key for that version of Linux and install it through the command line. Once that's installed, it'll update. Talk to System76.com support and they'll walk through it. What about the KeyRing password? Leo says it's probably login credentials.

Chris wants to run an old DOS program. How can he do it? Leo says to download FreeDOS. It's a free, open source version of DOS that will run his programs. Put it on a thumb drive and boot into that. Or he can boot into it via a Virtual machine like Virtual Box. 

Jack's iMac runs El Capitan, and his iMovie and Garage Band have stopped working. He has been told he has to upgrade to get them working back. But he's hesitant. Leo says that it's OK and you should upgrade. Apple isn't like Windows. You can safely go to Mojave, or at least High Sierra. Why did your apps stop working? That's a puzzle. Maybe your graphics card is too old? Or Apple may have just broken the connectivity. Upgrading to Mojave though is important for security reasons.

Lee loves to buy refurbished computers and install Linux dual booted with Windows 10 on them. Is there a version that looks like Mac? Leo says he usually recommends Elementary OS, but there's another one called ELive. Lee should check out DistroWatch.org. There's hundreds of versions of Linux there that he can check out.

Paul is getting a Windows CE error in his car. Leo says that Windows used to have a car edition and it sounds like the firmware has become corrupted. Hyundai wants $3,000 to fix the radio. Leo recommends going to another dealer. The trend is to just replace things, rather than try and fix them. Paul should check out iFixIt.com. They may have a fix or a solution, and they are big supporters of the right-to-repair movement.

David wants to know the difference between Windows 10, Windows 10 N, and Windows 10 Single Language. Leo says to get Windows 10. N is the European Union (EU) version, single language is the smaller version with only a single language supported. David wants the original Windows 10 edition.

Drew would like to know where he can download older versions of Windows. He has an old laptop that he upgraded to Windows 10. He's installed VirtualBox onto it so he can run an older version of Windows as well, but he can't find his old Windows CDs anywhere. Leo says that Microsoft offers older versions to developers if he gets a subscription, but it's not cheap.

Tom has an old Windows computer and he does online banking and shopping. Would it be safer to install Linux on his PC? Leo says that as long as "https" can be seen, he's secure. Leo also recommends using either Android Pay or Apple Pay for an additional layer of security. That doesn't send his credit card number at all. Linux is far less hackable. Using a Chromebook would also be an affordable option, and it's very secure as well. It's the easiest solution, and they're very cheap.