The Changeover, Part 1 - Windows 7, Xubuntu 9.04, Synergy and ext3

Recently I decided to change the designated functions of my various computers. A few factors drove me to this: increased difficulty surfing the Internet in Linux, current inability to play PC games (due to Linux and the active desktop being four years old) and the fact that my most powerful machine was sitting in the closet playing media server. The decision to try out the Windows 7 Release Candidate came when my XP install disc kept BSoDing while starting the setup.

My primary intent was to use Synergy instead of multiple monitors, allowing my keyboard and mouse to pass seamlessly from desktop to desktop (and sometimes to laptop). I made a list of various functions and what computer they would be relegated to.

To start things off, I wasted two DVDs because the first ISO I downloaded was faulty (thanks Microsoft!). Third time was a charm, after downloading it again, and off I went (after sleeping for the night, since downloading twice took too long). So, away I go. I install Windows 7 and various programs. Then it comes down to Synergy. I set up the Win7 machine to be the Synergy server in this instance, as it's monitor is in the center (between the Xubuntu machine and my laptop). This worked great until I wanted to move the mouse back to the Windows box. Apparently there's a bug that prevents you from being able to do so without killing the Synergy client on whatever box the mouse is trapped on. This problem was simply solved by running the server on the Linux box. Simple, right? Not so. Apparently Win7 refuses to allow me to click on certain things when connected through Synergy. Namely, any window that appears in order for windows to gain user permission to execute a task. In other words, every time I went to install a program or run a program by an unknown publisher. Basically, I had to keep a mouse plugged into that box while installing any and all programs.

Next came my greatest challenge. I don't know why I'm using the past tense, as I have yet to solve this problem yet. My terabyte drive, which is 80% full, is in ext3. There are a couple programs that allow a person to mount an ext2/3 partition under a windows drive letter. Unfortunately, none of these solutions are functional under Win7. So, my 800GBs of data is currently inaccessible. I'm hoping to find a solution that doesn't require me to buy new hardware, but it's looking like I'm going to have to buy a PCI SATA card for the Linux machine and install the hard drive in there.

Another thing that's not working under Win7 is my PCI IDE card that has two hard drives plugged into it. That should just be a matter of finding working drivers, which I'm hoping can be accomplished tonight after work. Still, this changeover is proving to be a lot more work that I had hoped for. With any luck, this won't take too much more work. Unfortunately, I don't think luck plays into this equation.

To be continued...