...What version should I start with? I was hoping to be able to try Windows 7 to see if it's better than Windows XP, but I don't want to keep going through the hassles of getting it validated, activated, etc. It says I have to retype my product code, but that's typical Microsoft bullshit, as any competent programmer could easily detect that the product code was not the problem, and give a competent error message.
I want a version of Linux that gives me a good internet browser and good security without any newbie installation hassles. By good security, I mean I don't want to be vulnerable to all kinds of malware just because I do something wrong during installation.
How do I find out what version of Linux to install?
No, this copy of Windows 7 is not pirated. The problem is that I'm trying to install it to a clean hard disk, to replace a version of Windows XP that was installed on a computer that malfunctioned. A competent error message would tell me I can't install it on a clean hard disk, but Microsoft tells me to retype my validation code. I've reached the end of my tolerance of all their years of incompetent error messages wasting my time.
