Win. XP will not record properly after upgrading to 2.0.5

[dmcar88233]

I have a Dell laptop that I have successfully used Audacity on for years, In Jan. of this year I updated to 2.0.5 and now when I try to record I keep getting blips on the audio, it seems to me that the updated 2.0.5 is taking up to much memory and is trying to keep up? I never had any problems with the old version. I have used the same equipment on my P.C. and all is well? I use the laptop 95 miles away from base where there is no internet connection, so, can an old version be downloaded onto a usb stick, then installed on the laptop after uninstalling the 2.0.5 version? or has anyone got any ideas'. My XP is running fully up to date on all the last service disk 3.
Would stripping out Windows be a solution and installing Linus? is there a Audacity for Linus?

[steve]

Windows XP is well past its sell by date.
Yes, Audacity is available for Linux (that what I use).

If you are running Linux on an old / low powered machine, I'd suggest using a lightweight version of Linux, such as the "Mate" version of Linux Mint.

[dmcar88233]

it is a Dell Inspiron 1300 with an Intel Pentium M Processor 740 (1.73GHz/2MB Cache/400MHz FSB*) upgraded to 4M of RAM. So what ver. of Linux would you recommend?

[steve]

Just about any version of Linux should run OK on that.
"Linux Mint" is a good choice if you are new to Linux, and the "MATE" version of Mint will probably be a bit more responsive than the "Cinnamon" version.

Unfortunately, the version of Audacity that is currently included with Mint (and Debian, and Ubuntu) uses the wrong version of WxWidgets. This has caused a number of bugs. All being well this will be fixed later this year, but there are other solutions to the problem for now. If you switch to Linux, let us know and we can help you to get a version of Audacity installed that does not have this issue.

[dmcar88233]

Thank you for your advise, so here goes, that laptop is only going to be used to transfer all my music from the 100 + audio tapes that I have had for years, edit them into individual songs, get rid of any tape hiss, then save as mp3 files to play back in Itunes. I am doing this away from home at my static caravan with no internet access to do any downloads.

Did I read somewhere that Linux can be put on a USB stick then installed from that? or would it be better downloaded on to a cd/dvd then installed. I assume that windows will need stripping out before any of this is attempted.

So to make things as simple as possible for this 70 year old silver surfer, I will follow your good advise.

Yours

Don

[steve]

The "traditional" way to install Linux is from CD / DVD. I've found this method to always be reliable, provided that the CD/DVD drive is reliable (not always the case on old laptops).

The "new" way is to install from a USB stick. I had to use this method the last time I installed to my laptop because its DVD drive is not reliable (loads of data errors).

Whichever method is used, the device that has Linux (USB stick / CD / DVD) must be the device that you boot from.
To do that, the "disk" (or USB disk image) must be bootable (instructions available on the Internet), and your computer BIOS must be set to boot from that device.

Have I lost you yet?

Generally I prefer to boot from CD/DVD when a good drive is available.

I assume that windows will need stripping out before any of this is attempted.

No need to strip out Windows first.
You can install Linux over the top (replacing Windows), or if there is sufficient disk space, the installer can move Windows and install alongside it ("dual boot") which gives you the option to either boot into Linux, or boot into Windows each time you switch on.

Linux is also available as "Live CD" (or "Live USB") which allows you to run Linux (albeit a bit slow) directly from the installation media without installing Linux. There are limitations, such as your settings are not saved, but this is an excellent way to do a dry run test of the new operating system.

I am doing this away from home at my static caravan with no internet access to do any downloads.

That's a bit of a problem as it is highly recommended that you have a good broadband connection when you install so that Linux can update. The first update can be very large (many MB) and you will also need the connection to install any optional applications (though the standard installation will probably have everything that you need except Audacity). Linux can be installed without Internet if necessary, but if there is a possibility of installing somewhere that broadband is freely available, then I'd definitely recommend doing so.

[dmcar88233]

thanks for advise, again, no you did not loose me, but following your advise, my son is going to the caravan next week-end, I will ask him to bring it back here and I will do the installation online at home.

[Gale Andrews]

Windows 8 (and Windows 10 to come) are more lightweight than XP SP3 (or Vista) but of course you'll have to pay for a new Windows version, and a "lite" version of Linux will be lighter still.

Gale

[dmcar88233]

am I correct in thinking Linux is free? only I have been online looking and some are charging for it?

[Gale Andrews]

am I correct in thinking Linux is free? only I have been online looking and some are charging for it?

The distributions one would recommend to someone new to Linux such as those based on Ubuntu are free. Most Linux distributions are free.

A few Linux distributions are commercial or they charge if you require technical support.


Gale