Can I install UBUNTU?

[AlfaDrivingFan]

Can I install UNBUNTU on my laptop or do I need to do something special and techy before I can install it ?

[Rewe]

It installed without drama for me on a couple of old laptops. It made them run acceptably as well.

[Storme]

you can install Ubuntu onto anything really.

do you intend dual booting or a clean install?

i often use one form of Linux or another, and i always dual boot with a windows partition as well.

at the moment, i am on windows 7 and windows 8 (evaluation copy)

Ubuntu normally takes care of everything. have you used a "live" disc yet? to see if u like it ?

[AlfaDrivingFan]

What is a "live" disc ?

I don't know a lot about this stuff so talk to me like I'm 5

[Icheb]

A live disc is basically the flavour of LINUX you want on a CD/DVD or USB stick. When your computer boots up, choose to run the USB or CD and this will allow you to run your Ubuntu etc straight from the CD rather than having to install it first. Warning though, it can be slow to load up on an aging machine and obviously you won't have all the drivers you need but it will run and a rough idea of what to expect.

I read somewhere, that they're doing anyway with menus in Ubuntu and just using a search bar to navigate your way around the OS and find programs etc. Not sure if I'd like that but until I try it, I suppose it's difficult to make an informed judgement.

It's actually good way to experiment with different versions, that way, you can pick something you like the look and feel of first.

Examples would be: SUSE, Knopix, Ubuntu etc. Just Google Linux distros to find out more.

I actually quite liked Knopix and I had SUSE running on the PS3, until Firmware patch 3.xx disabled the feature, they used to help sell the product.

HTH

[Icheb]

Hope these help ADF:

Download | Ubuntu

Download Knoppix Live CD or DVD, Get Documentation and Help

software.opensuse.org: Download openSUSE 12.1

[AlfaDrivingFan]

Cheers Icheb

[100th_Idiot]

ADF.

Most important tip. Do a thorough back up before trying to install and make sure you can recover. It is norally very easy but things can go wrong.

[AlfaDrivingFan]

Originally Posted by 100th_Idiot

ADF.

Most important tip. Do a thorough back up before trying to install and make sure you can recover. It is norally very easy but things can go wrong.

Noted

[spx]

ubuntu is a good beginner one (it's what i use). I've heard good things about mint but i've not tried it.

The guys are right, live CD's are good for trying it before installing it (also for recovering files from a machine that wont boot).

Only thing to look out for with ubuntu is problems with wireless card drivers (i've never had any but i've read of a few issues).

wasn't a fan of openSUSE. Long boot times and menus seemed unnecessarily complex.