Linux Live CD for Windows Users
I know what some of you might be thinking right now. I'm using a Microsoft Windows operating system, everything is fine, why should I download and burn a Linux live CD? Whats my gain in all of this apart from the work that I have to put into it? Its partially true of course, for most of the time windows is a pretty stable system but sometimes one encounters small problems that may lead to big issues. For example windows crashes and does not load up anymore, not even in save mode.
If you only use windows your choice number one would be to install a new copy and reinstall all your software probably. This is lots of work and might take some hours; hours that you may be able to save if you would have a Linux live CD at hand. A live CD is nothing more than a complete Linux operating system on one CD or DVD disc. It won't use your hard drives, which makes it ideal for lots of occasions. You have an important email that you want to send but windows won't start or crashes immediately ? You want to surf anonymously without leaving traces on your hard drives? Or maybe you want to recover some files or repair the operating system because it is not starting anymore?
I will give a brief overview of one Linux live CD that I took a closer look at, a complete list of more than 50 is available at FrozenTech's LiveCD List
The Kanotix CD comes with a lof of useful features, it supports IDE, SATA and Raid hard disks, supports Fat32 and NFTS, is able to perform system (hd, ram, file) and security tests, is able to partition drives and can reset windows passwords. It also comes with an office suit, email, browsing and the like.
Comes of course with a virus scanner, intrusion detection system, is able to restore data and can create images of hard disks.
And the best thing, you can simply download and burn it, and then try it out to see if you feel comfortable using it. You can even make backups before something happens to your windows system, pretty handy and recommended.
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