Xandros' instant-on Presto Linux distro now available for download-o

It looks like those itching to try out Xandros' instant-on Presto Linux distribution needn't linger in drawn out boot processes any longer, as the beta version of the OS is now finally available for download from all the usual sources. Unlike some other instant-on OS environments, Presto is designed to sit alongside Windows rather than replace it entirely, with it giving you the option of selecting Windows or Presto each time you boot your computer. If you select the latter, you should be up and running in just "seconds," and have access to all of the apps you likely use 90% of the time. Just don't expect a free ride if you find yourself getting attached to the OS, as the final version is set to demand (an entirely reasonable) $20 when it launches on April 13th.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 19th 2009 8:32PM]

Haha, this works on so many levels

http://i.dell.com/img.aspx?p=kQ4YkxcANml8XV6ZzPJuwtncovAuWfSVgUMXnca1P4Of0fKzLFKq%2faQNWJbKvi3DwtnxtmRHuKusB1Hb26Bn0sTXwLEkQremsRhoh86%2bZ8LE1%2b2NLln3uLMGFdTYpnvN1YW9gipOtrSlNViEifJgzsTM8L8jUrC1qxUK1pLrIIHE3eemdhWJoKYSQ5uJ8nHU0sz6qj8K%2b5WmFReAw7cizN%2fL6%2fItRba%2f4xhYgdnyRsTc1L%2bCCBX5paoFQ5yW8DWTiJq%2fui5evrq3XBXBmPAijo4%3d

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 19th 2009 5:14PM]

RealPlayer? People still use that? Wasn't that on PC World's list of worst software a few years back? If Foobar or QMP work on it, sign me up.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 19th 2009 5:35PM]

BE VERY CAREFUL

I installed this Xandros Presto Beta on my Windows 7-running laptop and almost immediately afterwards I found that I had performance issues and I could not boot my computer to Windows 7 after about 3 days. I think this might be a simple clash between the two betas, but keep this in mind.

[Guy Posted Mar 19th 2009 5:36PM]

I just finished messing with it a bit, and I have to say it looks pretty cool. Now I'd like to see user-profile "matching" with windows, allowing you to import your Firefox favorites, for instance (along with passwords). Otherwise, looks good. I'll probably drop the $20 for it.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 20th 2009 1:09PM]

You can also use foxmarks to sync favorites and password in your Firefox.

[PGPProtector Posted Mar 19th 2009 5:54PM]

Ok, it might just be me, but I'm not able to get it to work with TKIP for my work connection :(

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 19th 2009 8:14PM]

luv it i am writing this comment while using presto

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 19th 2009 7:11PM]

anyone getting a tv-card to work on presto? instant on tv and they get my hard earned 20 bucks.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 19th 2009 8:13PM]

What kind of TV Card. If you can give me a model I'll see what information I can find to help you out.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 20th 2009 5:55AM]

thanks for the reply. my tv card is a "Pinnacle PCTV 300i PAL Stereo DVB-T Capture Device".

[onepinksheep Posted Mar 19th 2009 7:19PM]

Is anyone else bugged by the lack of a terminal in Presto? Or have any of you managed to get one working on it?

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 19th 2009 8:10PM]

I'm a xandros employee and avid Engadget reader. You can find the terminal by pressing CTRL+ALT+T . Not very intuitive, but it makes sense :p

[onepinksheep Posted Mar 19th 2009 9:40PM]

Thanks for the tip, Matt! :)

[LimboMan Posted Mar 19th 2009 9:28PM]

Tried on my primary computer but wouldn't boot after I had installed it -- it wasn't liking that my primary boot drive is in a RAID configuration. I then tried to install in my first gen EeePC -- wouldn't install even on my nLited WinXP -- it needs over 3GB on the boot drive to install! Has anybody been successful in installing Presto on an SD card or a USB drive?

[Plothole Posted Mar 19th 2009 9:36PM]

How well does it detect wireless access points? Is there a compatibility chart?

[Plothole Posted Mar 19th 2009 9:39PM]

*Or rather I meant a wireless network card.

[dinnerwithtomedison Posted Mar 19th 2009 10:26PM]

Plothole,

I have a trendnet something or other wireless N card that it picked up with no problems (something windows couldn't even do... : / )
i dont remember the exact model off the top of my head...

[cronosxxx Posted Mar 19th 2009 10:15PM]

I ve tried it and it is fast indeed not as fast as I imagined. I installed it on my Lenovo y510 and it took about 2 minutes to find my wireless connection, and sound driver didnt work at all. I had to uninstall because of the wireless and the sound.

[dinnerwithtomedison Posted Mar 19th 2009 10:21PM]

i was able to get this up and running after a little bit of work (sending this via Presto now)

The install seemed to skip something for me...
after the reboot and selecting to boot to the Xandros Presto OS, i was only brought to a Grub4DOS prompt.

From here, i needed to enter in a few commands - as were listed in the hardware log that you can generate after installing it in windows
root
kernel
initrd
then boot
the boot took around 10 seconds, but brought me straight to the desktop and ready to go!

i'm probably doing something wrong here...if anyone has any insight, it would be helpful!

[rollacosta Posted Mar 20th 2009 12:06AM]

on an 8 year old p4 1.8 GHz 512 MB ram, computer, windows XP boot time 37 seconds.
Presto 18 seconds
However, the first Presto boot wa 47 seconds, so if you thought it was slow its worth trying a second time.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 20th 2009 7:00AM]

It works great on my normal notebook, but it destroyed my Aspire One - had to restore

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 20th 2009 1:43PM]

What model of Aspire One do you have?

[A7 Posted Mar 20th 2009 1:51PM]

literally bricked my tc1100. Full reinstall reqd. Has worked ok on other laptops

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 20th 2009 10:33PM]

Does anyone care to share what are the other instant-on OS choices for older hardware? I heard about xpud but have not tried it yet, anyone know of anything else?