I was trying to retrieve some lost files from it. In the end I reinstalled an XP Pro SP3 version from the net, bypassed the WGA, downloaded a recovery program and voila.
The actual look of Ubuntu is nice and clean. The layout of the prog menu is a little confusing for someone who has used Windows for nearly 20 years though. After getting used to that you have to learn a whole new load of programs after being used to using Excel, Word etc for Eons.
Maybe I'm getting old (at 34) and can't learn new tricks anymore but it seemed to me more hassle than worth to learn a whole new way of things.
The other thing is the pomposity of the Linux people on their help forums. I posted asking how to recover data etc and they gave me aload of code I had to type into the terminal. I thought the days of typing code for the normal user were well over. Where is WYSIWYG on Ubuntu? Why can't I grab a program to do the job for me?
The other reason being there are loads of thread asking Can I use X program on Linux. Rather than give an answer to the OP question nearly every answer from the Linux crew is 'Why would you want to' which peeves me a little. Fair enough if they feel the Linux alternative is better but the Op asked a question.
Similar to someone asking where to get T5 and someone saying you don't want T5 you want LED and not giving the info required. At least on here we will give the answer and our opinion rather than just the opinion.
Anyway XP SP3 working perfectly. Updating perfectly, Mplayer11 etc all validated and Windows Updates accepts it as original so problems solved.
AC