Many tests show that 8 (which is very similar to 10 performance-wise) actually performs better than XP on older machines (or low-spec computers, netbooks). Windows 8 Is Twice as Fast as Windows XP on a 7-Year-Old Laptop – Video - Softpedia
Yuk! I suppose if you like Windows 95 there's something to be said for Linux!Install any decent distro of LINUX on it...
Just horrible performance-wise and I've tried a handful of them on slow computers including this netbook.
Terrible support for dual monitors and generally slow as hell addons and browsing.
For geeks and hobbyists only... not mainstream, casual computer users.
Yep! That's the next step.An SSD would be a nice addition to a netbook...
They are getting cheaper and cheaper, so there's no good reason not to do that.
Yeah... this netbook came with Windows XP.Anyway the best OS for a netbook is, IMO, Win XP...
It was crappy back then and I don't imagine Microsoft made it better over time.
It just about coped with the hardware, but not very well.
Maybe I didn't tweak it enough...
This has been my experience as well.Many tests show that 8 actually performs better than XP on older machines...
Well, I've installed Serviio and now it's the media center of my house.
Pumping out media to all my devices and TVs without a hiccup.
For optimum performance with Serviio do the following...
Under the 'Library' tab, disable 'Keep library automatically updated'
Under the 'Delivery' tab, disable 'Enable transcoding' (IMPORTANT)
Under the 'Metadata' tab, delete everything you can see!
Under the 'Console Settings', disable 'Check for new versions'
If you are using this as a media server only then you can disable Windows Defender and Firewall as well.
Yes, I agree.There's always a good use for an old computer...
I didn't want to chuck it out or mothball it if there was something it could be doing.
So far no hiccups.
If something eventful happens I'll tack it onto this thread.
Hi there
@teachermark
SERVIIO is fine (the free versions) until you want subtitles -- then sometimes it can go Bonkers. I use MEZZMO (OK not free) but it works !!! also with almost every format of subtitles you can throw at it.
One problem though you will probably find using a Netbook as a Media server is that if the SOURCE file needs transcoding to see it on your Target device the load on a small netbook might just KILL the CPU !!!. You can usually though "Pre-transcode" library in advance if you need to.
Using a Netbook as a Media server !! -- I'll bet a few people thought you must be crazy --but if it works OK why not !!.
Cheers
jimbo
Its nice to know 10 works on those old netbooks . I have a friend who is almost ready to throw his away and I'm thinking my way lol ... I was going to ask you if you have try Linux Mint on it ? I agree with Jimbo45 with it being easiest straight out of the box, also their support is pretty good to .
Hi, Jimbo...One problem though you will probably find using a Netbook as a Media server is that if the SOURCE file needs transcoding to see it on your Target device the load on a small netbook might just KILL the CPU !!!.
Yes, in my post I did say to DISABLE transcoding on Serviio.
This is very important as a netbook won't be able to handle any of these tasks with any degree of reliability.
My mobile devices (DNLA apps) and WD TV Live media player do all the heavy lifting so the netbook simply sends the signal.
Well, like I say - if you are patient and do enough research, you can tweak and pimp Windows 10, so it runs just fine.I have a friend who is almost ready to throw his away and I'm thinking my way lol...
It does take a fair amount of detailed fixes, etc to minimize the wear and tear that Windows 10 has... but it can be done.
Good luck and post your results... we could do with a laugh! Ha ha!
Yes, I have. And a couple of other distros...I was going to ask you if you have try Linux Mint on it?
Never found one that I liked.
Linux takes a lot of learning and fiddle-arsing about...
...but it did work. Not as fast and as 'zippy' as the on-line forums and fans would lead us to believe, though.
I would think a Netbook would make a better media client than server. I'm thinking about connecting one to the TV in my bedroom. My movie collection is on a NAS drive and I use Kodi for my client software. Kodi has fantastic remote control capability from Android devices. Set up the Netbook with Wake On Lan which can be triggered from the android remote, automatic login to a local account that starts Kodi upon login. That's the way my living room runs - except off a desktop that also has a second computer monitor connected to use the computer functions with.
With a paid plug-in, Kodi will stream to the android remote device as well - but not transcode. I can even do all this to a remote location over the internet, but I haven't been able to get my router to pass the Wake on Lan packet from the internet to the computer yet. Freaked my daughter out the first time I logged in over the internet with my phone and saw that she was watching a movie and took control of it from my phone.
UPDATE: One week in and absolutely no issues.
The media center works like a charm! :)
Hi there
Problem with a Netbook as a CLIENT might be that the Video output to your TV won't have proper resolution (say 1920 X 1080).
Depends on the Video card in the Netbook. If you have a decent smartphone you could probably use that as a Client to mirror the video to your TV at full HD- you need a decent smart phone though or you might find the audio slightly out of sync due to CPU lagging etc.
The netbook as a client though if the video resolution is OK should be fine -- but if no HDMI output you'll need a VGA--HDMI adapter particularly if your TV also has no VGA (Monitor) input. Most these days have 2 or 3 HDMI inputs plus possibly a DVI one.
Cheers
jimbo
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