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December 10, 2016

If It Sounds Too Good To Be True...

...it usually is.

Here is an advertisement for a linux-in-a-flash-drive where you can upgrade your PC, laptop or tablet for around $25.
Xtra-PC is a small thumb drive you simply plug into your computer’s USB port and it instantly transforms your old computer to like new. It works with any computer (Mac or Windows) laptop, desktop, and netbooks made in 2004 or later and it is hands down the fastest, easiest solution to getting yourself a new computer without spending $400, $500, $800 or more – guaranteed.
IMHO you've gotta be really desperate/gullible to go for it. But I am curious.

Has anybody heard any evaluation on this?

4 comments:

Sunnybrook Farm said...

A lot of Linux distros can be downloaded and installed on a USB drive for free, not sure why they charge $25. The computer has to be set to boot on the USB drive first, some old ones won't do it. I just install to the hard drive as that works best for me but I have use live CDs to boot from especially the one developed by the department of defense that secures a laptop on public access points. Make sure you have enough RAM for any that you pick. This is the LPS DOD version: http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=tens

sig94 said...

Sunnybrook - thanks a lot! I have been thinking about Linux for years but at this stage of the game was not real anxious to acquire a new skill set for another OS.

Sunnybrook Farm said...

I have been using it since about 2000 when one needed to be a real geek to make it work. Probably the best one to use is Ubuntu as you can just install it along side of windows or by itself and it can do just about anything. I don't usually go the USB route.

Kid said...

Well.... that does sound suspicious.

I have no direct knowledge, but here are my thoughts.

Flash drives can be infected (at the firmware level) with a virus hat is impossible to detect. The articles on this pretty much say plugging a stray flash drive into your PC is like sleeping with a hooker in S Chicago with no protection.

If you want to renew your PC, one thing to consider is replacing the hard drive with an SSD, Solid State Drive - which is one humongous memory Chip. I bought and installed a Samsung 500 gig SS for 150 bucks. Turned my PC into a new PC. I got the 500 gig becuase my physical hard drive was 500 gig and it is easier to stay with same size for migration purposes. Anyone have questions let me know.