Building a computer with out operating system?

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Bigsteve606

Member
Aug 2, 2014
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So I'm building my gaming PC from scratch and I have enough to order my last thing for it to be ready just the graphics card. Is their anyway I can use a free operating system or is there anyway that I can function the computer without buying a 100 more dollars for an operating system
 
Charlie98

Charlie98

Diamond Member
Nov 6, 2011
6,298
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Linux IS an OS... ;) It's freeware; I have Linux Mint on my old-old laptop. It's not as easy on the surface to run as, say Windows, but it will work if you want to test your build.

[snip]
 
Last edited by a moderator:
VirtualLarry

VirtualLarry

No Lifer
Aug 25, 2001
56,587
10,225
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Charlie98 said:
Linux IS an OS... ;) It's freeware;
Click to expand...

GNU / Linux is Free Software. "freeware" has a different connotation, that of proprietary software, distributed gratis. Free Software is Libre, free as in speech. Not necessarily just gratis.
 
ViRGE

ViRGE

Elite Member, Moderator Emeritus
Oct 9, 1999
31,516
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As a reminder, we do not allow people to request/offer help with piracy or otherwise promote/gloat about it. I've moved a couple of posts from here that were breaking this rule; please do not repeat it.
-ViRGE

OP, if you don't wish to pay for Windows, then as the others have noted Linux is your best (and really only practical) option. However it's not a very good gaming OS as relatively few games are available for Linux, and the WINE environment is limited at best. So really you're going to want Windows.

And considering the money you're going to be shelling out for a new gaming computer, $100 for an OS that can last you nearly a decade is not too much to ask.
 
Charlie98

Charlie98

Diamond Member
Nov 6, 2011
6,298
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VirtualLarry said:
GNU / Linux is Free Software. "freeware" has a different connotation, that of proprietary software, distributed gratis. Free Software is Libre, free as in speech. Not necessarily just gratis.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the correction... :D ...I see what you mean.
 
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Bigsteve606

Member
Aug 2, 2014
42
0
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So when I finally turn my computer on for the first time, can I just install Linux from the boot up screen? Where do you get it at?
 
corkyg

corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
Super Moderator
Mar 4, 2000
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Linux is downloaded to bootable media and installed from it.
 
Sattern

Sattern

Senior member
Jul 20, 2014
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Skylercompany.com
If you aren't familiar with Linux then I would strongly urge you to purchase a cheap OS like Windows 7 and use that because it will give you a much easier time with your casual use.
 
A

ArisVer

Golden Member
Mar 6, 2011
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Sattern said:
If you aren't familiar with Linux then I would strongly urge you to purchase a cheap OS like Windows 7 and use that because it will give you a much easier time with your casual use.
Click to expand...

+1

If you still want to try Linux, I would go with Mint.
http://distrowatch.com/ is a good site to get you started with Linux. It provides links to most distributions.
 
DesiPower

DesiPower

Lifer
Nov 22, 2008
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I have mint too on a HTPC and I like it, but its by no means a "gaming" OS.

To Install Linux you will have to search and download the image (aka Distro) Then you can either burn the image to a DVD and install it like windows OR you can google how to get it working from USB drive.
 
Steltek

Steltek

Diamond Member
Mar 29, 2001
3,364
1,098
136
The installation of most modern Linux distributions is fairly bulletproof at this point, even for beginners. I'd start with something mainstream like Linux Mint (the current version, 17, is a long term service release which is a plus for a beginner). I don't care much for Ubuntu's Unity interface, but it is also a popular option if you want to try it. The one downside to Mint for beginners is the inability to easily upgrade a system in place to a new release in lieu of doing a complete wipe and install.

The best thing about Linux is that it is free - you can try 100 different distros and pick the one you like. As others have pointed out, www.distrowatch.com is a good place to start.

If you want to go the Windows route, you can always download the 90 day Windows trial version from the Microsoft website. At the end of 90 days, you can extend the trial a few more months using "slmgr /rearm" command from a command prompt before it finally runs out. The downside of using the trial version is that you would have to do a total system reinstall either when the trial runs out or when you get your own copy of Windows for your new machine.
 
taltamir

taltamir

Lifer
Mar 21, 2004
13,576
6
76
Bigsteve606 said:
So I'm building my gaming PC from scratch and I have enough to order my last thing for it to be ready just the graphics card. Is their anyway I can use a free operating system or is there anyway that I can function the computer without buying a 100 more dollars for an operating system
Click to expand...

Do you have an older PC with windows? you could transfer the license over (remove windows from old PC, install it on new pc).

There are many free operating systems but most are unsuited for gaming.
Linux (I recommend opensuse. beware ubuntu, its extremely buggy and doesn't offer any advantage over opensuse) can work if you use WINE (emulates windows for games)

SteamOS might also be right up your alley
 
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B

Blain

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
23,643
3
81
Bigsteve606 said:
So I'm building my gaming PC from scratch and I have enough to order my last thing for it to be ready just the graphics card. Is their anyway I can use a free operating system or is there anyway that I can function the computer without buying a 100 more dollars for an operating system
Click to expand...
Without an OS, the shiny new PC you just built is simply a collection of parts.
"Hardware" is only meant to run software. If you're going to "game" using this new hardware, you'll need to install "Windows" as the OS, those are just the facts of current life.
To install that Windows OS, you'll need to buy a copy (or get it some pirated way, which will cause you problems in the long run).
Just view a copy of "Windows" as another component that's required for a "gaming build".

You wouldn't build a system without a PS, just because you didn't like paying for one, would you?
 
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mrtechguy

Member
Aug 3, 2014
30
0
0
Are you people joking me? Windows 8 costs $35-$180. You can get it cheap.
Or I Would reccomend steam os for gaming, ubuntu works pretty nice also.


You could try getting windows xp. Its Like A Fiver And Runs Games Like Gta 3
At 1000fps on 800mhz 1core 212mb ram pc.
 
DesiPower

DesiPower

Lifer
Nov 22, 2008
15,299
740
126
mrtechguy said:
Are you people joking me? Windows 8 costs $35-$180. You can get it cheap.
Or I Would reccomend steam os for gaming, ubuntu works pretty nice also.


You could try getting windows xp. Its Like A Fiver And Runs Games Like Gta 3
At 1000fps on 800mhz 1core 212mb ram pc.
Click to expand...

where can you get a legit win 8 for $35? I would immediately upgrade 1 LT and 1 DT for that price...
 
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