ReactOS (a free Windows XP)

megamaced

megamaced

Geek Geek Geek!
Discovered this operating system the other day. Basically it's a free, open source ground-up implementation of Windows XP. This operating system is not Linux with a WINE API, although some WINE code is used.

ReactOS is still in an early alpha stage, so there are A LOT of bugs. The Explorer barely worked and I experienced a few BSODS. The operating system is not feature complete yet either. For example, it only works with FAT file systems and can't create more then one primary partiton. However, that being said, the foundations of the OS have been layed out already.

Definately worth checking out though because this is an interesting project. Probably not legal though... :rolleyes:
 
I first heard about ReactOS many years ago and it is a very slow moving project. It may even be too ambitious to gain much ground.

It is completely legal and all GPL. It's a Windows work-a-like, just like Linux is a UNIX work-a-like. I would like to try it out some day for some of my old DOS RPG games.
 
kenji said:
first heard about ReactOS many years ago and it is a very slow moving project.
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well i've never heard of it, i've just started the Live CD downloading, if i like it i'll get the install CD

kenji said:
It is completely legal and all GPL.
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good
 
I was reading about it some time ago. When the author discussed bluescreens and lockups, I thought, "Wow, that is a really convincing Windows clone! You can barely tell the two apart." ;)
 
AT said:
that is a really convincing Windows clone!
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well i can agree with that, after having a few probs getting it to run i started it in VMware and it froze[ot]like a frozen chicken falling down a chimney[/ot]
 
donkey42 said:
well i can agree with that, after having a few probs getting it to run i started it in VMware and it froze[ot]like a frozen chicken falling down a chimney[/ot]
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I didn't get it working in Vmware either. If an OS is a clone of Windows, then the instability is also cloned :D
 
I got it working :D . But it looks a bit 'cheap'. However it is great for companies that want a free OS, and most apps of them can't run on linux (not even with wine).
 
wait, so its just free windows, like exactly, DX and all, or its just a OS that works like windows??? Wait, so it is, and you can install any windows programs on it, huh. Lol, At yer a funny guy
 
Meh, if people ahve that much time on their hands that they can sit there and clone Windows then we need to buy them something to keep them entertained and leave this project alone!

"Let's clone Windows, instabilities BSOD's and all"
*Everyone at the board meeting stands up and aplauds*

Deary me, help us all...

Swansen said:
wait, so its just free windows, like exactly, DX and all, or its just a OS that works like windows??? Wait, so it is, and you can install any windows programs on it, huh. Lol, At yer a funny guy
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w...t...f...mayte...

I actually can't understand wtf you just said...
 
Swansen said:
wait, so its just free windows, like exactly, DX and all, or its just a OS that works like windows??? Wait, so it is, and you can install any windows programs on it, huh. Lol, At yer a funny guy
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Yes, the point is to create a free OS that can run DOS and windows programs. I'm not sure about DX but I wouldn't count on it (can't find any reference on the website).

To explain better to those that are skeptical about this project, read this blurb from the FAQ:
Why ReactOS? Why clone Microsoft Windows?

First of all, ReactOS is not a clone of Windows. ReactOS is an operating system that is compatible with Microsoft Windows applications and drivers. Some of the reasons are the same as the reasons for developing Linux (an open-source UNIX clone)? In short, Linux is a great operating system, but it is not the answer for everybody. There are a lot of people that like Microsoft Windows, but are very frustrated with Microsoft's policies on various issues.

The 9x family of Microsoft Windows is based on DOS, and shares many of its weaknesses, which is the primary reason why Microsoft Windows has such a bad name. The Microsoft Windows NT family of Windows, however, has a solid design. Not everything is perfect, but without access to the source code, there is no way to fix it, so a compatible operating system must be built from the ground up.
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That makes it a really narrow user base. Someday I may try it.
 
Well, it sounds interesting, I'll have a look at it too.

It may just be something that helps get those who can't afford a computer because of the software costs and availability. I'm no coder, but In that case I'm for it.

Glenn
 
yeah, it seems to be a windows copy type thing, looks like windows and it will work with all the drivers and such that your hardware came with. But kinda confused as to the base as well, not really sure of who would use it.
 
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