Best version of Ubuntu for old laptop
Phil Owens
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I want to install Ubuntu on an old Medion laptop. The latest versions install but don't boot, just a black screen.
Been told it's something to do with the via chrome 9 graphics chip.
So what is the best version to try to install ?
Been told it's something to do with the via chrome 9 graphics chip.
So what is the best version to try to install ?
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I installed mint 9 two days ago and also downloaded over 500 updates but I don't think there will be any new updates
but I was getting new updates in July .
I got Ubuntu 10.10 (I think) to work but it says it's no longer supported with updates and say I can upgrade to 11.04.
Not sure to risk it now I have it up and running..
Whys youre prefrence Ubuntu?
Is it just for the resale value, eg Ubuntu is well known?
I just wanted to get an old laptop up and running.
Windows was screwed on it, I had no recovery disc, the recovery partition had been deleted, and I didn't want to pay for a new Windows disc as the laptop is quite old. Medion from Woolies bought well before it closed..
I only want it as a backup if the lappy I use all the time goes down. Plus my brothers kids can use it when they visit..
probably add a bit more ram for a couple of quid off ebay.
I installed more RAM a few weeks before it went tits up,
there should be a sticker on the laptop.
There is a Microsoft sticker under the laptop but one set is a product key plus another set of numbers e.g. 12345-000-000-000. Nothing saying serial No. If I find the serial No how do I get the iso?
Product key is what you want
It should be in the format XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
What MS os is the sticker saying?
Got the product key, just need the serial No.. Think it was Vista.
yes product key.
you need the right version of windows first. in particular the OEM version or not, plus home, pro etc.
http://www.via.com.tw/en/support/drivers.jsp
no product key is all you need.
write out everything that it says on the CoA apart from the product key itself.
Not sure what your spec is though, but worth a try for fun.
If it can run vista, it probably will be ok for W8.
Minimum spec for W8 is:
Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster
RAM: 1 gigabyte (GB) (32-bit) or 2 GB (64-bit)
Free hard disk space: 16 GB (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
What memory and processor is the laptop?
Cheers I'll get do that later, better get off by backside and do some work for now..
If sysinfo is installed, use
Applications--->System Tools--->Sysinfo
Or use
Ctrl – Alt – T on your keyboard to open Terminal.
Enter on the terminal cmd line
sudo lshw -html >> system_info.html
then to view it in a browser, enter in the terminal
firefox system_info.html
Under Applications I don't have sysinfo, only calculator, character map, disc usage, manage print jobs, search for files, take a screen shot, terminal, text editor and tomboy notes..
I've tried downloading sysinfo form ubuntu software centre but it asks me to insert ubuntu disc the I get failed to fetch or something..
Tried that, just says not installed and when I try to install it it fails as does any other software I try to download or if it does download it fails to install
Have another look in the installed apps for anything like system info or system, must be something there for ubuntu 10, a long time back so not sure what was installed for that version, the latest ubuntu has sysinfo or equivalent already installed
What is the exact model of the medion laptop, must be a spec online somewhere that gives you some idea
Model I think is MIM 2310.
Looks like I will have to upgrade to 11.04 or 11.10 versions the latest 12.xx or 13.xx install but won't boot..
I've found Lubuntu is much better on older, lower specced kit. Ubuntu & Xubuntu were just a wee bit bloated last time I tried them out.