Linux Mint

Out of curiosity I’ve just installed Cinnamon on an old HP Pavillion G4 laptop. Took the Windows 10 SSD out and put in a blank SSD. Did an OEM install from a bootable thumb drive. On restart, couldn’t find the WiFi adapter so had to connect to the router by cable and find a driver. Besides that, it was fairly straightforward.

So far it seems fine. Just need to spend some time with it now and see whether it grows on me or not.
 
I've just replaced Windows 11 with Ubuntu 24 on a Dell.

Faster, smoother and much more fun! ;)
 
I think we probably all enjoy tinkering and installing a new OS. Half the fun of it is getting it just so. I'm currently running Kubuntu on my spare computer. Ubuntu is Gnome and Kubuntu, KDE Plasma. I never thought I would be one of those that knew the difference. :D
 
Plain Nev said:
I think we probably all enjoy tinkering and installing a new OS. Half the fun of it is getting it just so. I'm currently running Kubuntu on my spare computer. Ubuntu is Gnome and Kubuntu, KDE Plasma. I never thought I would be one of those that knew the difference. :D
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I had a very brief tinker with Ubuntu years ago as it came installed on a little Acer Aspire ONE computer. Came across this in a cupboard a few weeks ago, charged it up and hey presto! still works though it does need a new battery. Also, my older brother mentioned he was considering a Linux install on one of his machines, so had to have another go.

My main computer these days is an M2 MacBook Air, which the best laptop I've used to date (and I've had more than quite a few over the last 35+ years). Was using a iMac27 until I retired it a few months ago. Missus has an Asus Windows 11 laptop which is fine.

The laptop I'm using for this Linux install is my wife's old Windows machine. It came with Windows 8 which I upgraded to Windows 10 a few years ago. To speed things up, I swapped out the HDD, fitted a Crucial MX500 1GB SSD a while ago and it's been OK.

Now of course, Win 10 is no longer officially supported and the machine is apparently missing the TPM 2.0 (?) function so going to Windows 11 isn't a simple option (not sure I want it anyway). So, prime candidate for trying a Linux install, which is what I'm typing this post on.

I'm using the Brave internet browser at present. Have downloaded DarkTable (tried it before when I got my MacBook, prefer LrC but of course not available for Linux) will probably get GIMP (again have used it before but would prefer PS if only it were available). Was already using Libre Office in Windows and MacOS, so now also have it for Linux.

Onward...
 
I honestly wouldn't go back to Windows at this point. I think you'd have to be mad! I'm running Mint on this one, and it's simple and unobtrusive. I remember when Windows used to be like that. :D
 
Talking simple and unobtrusive, quite while ago, an operating system, VMS, PR1MOS, UNIVAC EXEC and the the rest, provided an exceptionally stable platform for for all applications; a robust interface for input, storage, printing, programming languages and communications, an editor to create functional command files, access to low level functionality and the ability to create text files. That's what an operating system should do. The original operating system concept has been corrupted into a hybrid where applications and operating system are confusingly intertwined with incomprehensible and disastrously overlapping functionality and bloat.
 
PeterSpencer said:
....into a hybrid where applications and operating system are confusingly intertwined with incomprehensible and disastrously overlapping functionality and bloat.
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Indeed.

We were told that graphic user interfaces were going to increase productivity... :headbang:
 
PeterSpencer said:
Talking simple and unobtrusive, quite while ago, an operating system, VMS, PR1MOS, UNIVAC EXEC and the the rest, provided an exceptionally stable platform for for all applications; a robust interface for input, storage, printing, programming languages and communications, an editor to create functional command files, access to low level functionality and the ability to create text files. That's what an operating system should do. The original operating system concept has been corrupted into a hybrid where applications and operating system are confusingly intertwined with incomprehensible and disastrously overlapping functionality and bloat.
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Not to mention also including what is effectively corporate spyware grabbing usage (user?) data. In addition, forced updates that can take ages to complete and usually at a time when you'd really just like to crack on and do some work.
 
Well, a bit less happy with Linux at the moment.

Can’t get the on-board Broadcom Bluetooth adaptor to do anything. The hardware is visible, but the buttons in Blueman are greyed out. Have looked at some of the online advice, but being a newb to Linux, delving about in the console and searching the internet for drivers/solutions feels a bit clumsy.

I’ve also had some difficulties with update packages failing to install or remove software (Error 11 I think).

Did have trouble with verifying the ISO download too. The checksums agree, but the certification process failed. Tried again, got the same result.

So as things stand, the notebook is working on Linux Mint 22.3 Cinnamon. System checks say it’s OK and up to date, but I am keen to find a solution for Bluetooth before I run out of patience.
 
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GeeJay57 said:
Well, a bit less happy with Linux at the moment.

Can’t get the on-board Broadcom Bluetooth adaptor to do anything. The hardware is visible, but the buttons in Blueman are greyed out. Have looked at some of the online advice, but being a newb to Linux, delving about in the console and searching the internet for drivers/solutions feels a bit clumsy.

I’ve also had some difficulties with update packages failing to install or remove software (Error 11 I think).

Did have trouble with verifying the ISO download too. The checksums agree, but the certification process failed. Tried again, got the same result.

So as things stand, the notebook is working on Linux Mint 22.3 Cinnamon. System checks say it’s OK and up to date, but I am keen to find a solution for Bluetooth before I run out of patience.
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Honestly this is one of those things that AI is particularly useful at solving. Installed Mint on my previous computer (replacing Windows 10) and everything worked great other than an old Canon Selphy printer. Tried for hours researching online and nothing. 10 minutes with Gemini and it was working great. I imagine Claude Code would be even better.
 
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Very true. There have been several instances recently. I just ask the question and Google gives me the answer.
 
Plain Nev said:
Very true. There have been several instances recently. I just ask the question and Google gives me the answer.
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Thanks both.

@Gold I’ll give Gemini a go.

@Plain Nev I’ve tried asking Google the question and it has so far come up with suggestions that in the end return links to Linux forum chats.

The issue seems to be well known and has been around for years. The Broadcom Wi-Fi/Bluetooth drivers I need are apparently not included in Linux core. Solutions seem to be along the lines of ‘open a console and try these lines of code’ or ‘you need to load new firmware from Broadcom, make sure it’s the right version’.

So experience thus far is similar to when I was building PC’s using Windows 30-odd years ago, with the end-user having to find solutions and fixes for their particular hardware.

I’ll stick with it for a while, but it’s more troublesome than I was expecting.
 
GeeJay57 said:
Can’t get the on-board Broadcom Bluetooth adaptor to do anything
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Sometimes hardware manufacturers don't provide driver software for Linux so it needs someone to create it in their spare time, the community is pretty good at this because often they are solving their own issue and them making the fix available to everyone.
 
OK, having gone down a few rabbit holes, Gemini/Google directed me to Github and the right driver. Also provided corresponding Terminal commands to get it on the system. Bluetooth now works. Still feels all a bit deja vu to old Windows days.

Anyway, thanks everyone for your help and suggestions, much appreciated.
Onwards...
 
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