[HLUG] Linux Ubuntu help ?

[david winterton]

Depending on the state of backups, can we not save the home partition and
install a new distro ?
On 20 May 2016 18:33, "George DiceGeorge via Herefordshire" <
herefordshire at mailman.lug.org.uk> wrote:

> Yes come to the meeting with laptop fully charged.
>
> Yes its good to dual boot with windows and ubuntu
> (when something fails to work
> (like eg sound or wifi)
> i boot in the other
> and if that doesnt work too then its a hardware problem
> but if it does then its a software problem)
>
> I think you'll want to delete the ubuntu/linux partitions
> and install a new ubuntu 16.04 or xubuntu
> (which come with browsers)
>
> [george]
>
> -----Original Message----- From: Alex at Conceits via Herefordshire Sent:
> Thursday, May 19, 2016 5:15 PM To: herefordshire at mailman.lug.org.uk
> Subject: [HLUG] Linux Ubuntu help ?
> Hello all,
>
> I have been asked to send a message to everybody regarding my Linux
> problem, so will forward it on here. I hope it doesn't bother you all.
>
> Before we start, I must admit I am not properly a Linux user:
> unfortunately, I don't understand much of it, and even though Ubuntu /Linux
> is on my laptop thanks to someone who installed it for me years ago, I
> could really do with getting more familiar with it. I don't know about the
> different versions of Linux either.
> My knowledge of computers is a little bit better with the older Microsoft
> Windows and I also have a very old desktop with Windows XP on it as well as
> this more modern laptop with a problem - (I don't use the old desktop for
> the internet as there is no virus guard on it any more)
>
> So, this is why I am here: I love the concept of Linux even if I don't
> understand it, and  I am hoping to sort out the laptop out, slowly.
>
>  It has Ubuntu with Linux, 3.2.0.40 Generic on it, and has developed
> problems after about 5 months of it being installed. It started not being
> able to access certain folders, the window would try and load and then go
> blank and would have to be closed again, sometimes I would have to rashly
> press the on and off  switch of the laptop, to defrost it.
> Then, the laptop started making a lot of fan noise, as if it was taking a
> lot of effort processing something. As I am typing now, there is no fan
> noise,which is very odd - perhaps it is healing itself with the fear of
> being sorted out!! (just like going to the doctor is sometimes enough for
> the symptoms to suddenly disappear!!)
> Now, this laptop has also Windows 7 on it - and I would quite like to keep
> that for emergency (I never use it but once when Ubuntu couldn't work out
> where the WIfi was, I switched the laptop to the other side and that found
> the Wifi, and when I went back to Ubuntu (because I really don't like using
> Windows 7) to use the internet, it had found the Wifi again.
>
> i have lived with this laptop problem for the last 3 years  (and the
> browsers being out of date not allowing me to watch videos, Ebay windows
> crashing, and the bank page complaining my browsers were too old and
> sometimes not letting me logging in)  so I decided to take the courage to
> look into it (and it takes courage!!); a few months ago, bought a version
> of Ubuntu on Ebay, and when I asked for some advice on how to install it,
> they just pointed me to some web page I didn't understand, so  as I was too
> scared, I left it as it was. A slow working computer is better than no
> computer at all.
>
> A few days ago, I looked into it again - and got some advice from the
> online Ubuntu forum which is where someone suggested I got in touch with
> you, as being local.  They were helpful but I really didn't understand much
> of the words/jargon they were using. I tried typing in magic formulas in
> the "terminal" (whatever that is, I found where it was but I have forgotten
> already) and nothing happened. I also don't have the password nor username
> for the computer so couldn't find out what is wrong with it.
>
> As I contacted the Hereford group, Kevin then Julian replied and Kevin has
> also given me some advice. I have done it my first job of attempting to
> back up the files that it wouldn't let me open, in the past; oddly, it has
> worked, even though extremely slowly; the documents and photos I need on
> this laptop are now all saved.
> Now,  I can either go and do an install etc, though before doing so, I
> would rather like to understand what do I do regarding the web browsers, as
> when my computer is all set up again, if there are no browsers on it, how
> will i get online to download some browsers...  ? And how do I do an
> install whilst keeping that Window 7 software? And how do I set up the
> Adobe reader thing? And the Libre Office writer?
>
> And which version to download of Linux? What is an LTS version? Is it
> Ubuntu or Linux and is it recommendable? Should I need Xubuntu for extra
> speed?(can my computer handle something like that?)  Or an Ubuntu 14.04 or
> 16.04?
> The specifications for my computer are
> https://www.sony.co.uk/support/en/content/cnt-specs/VPCYB3V1E/list
>
>
> I would be very grateful for some help, to understand Linux a bit better
> too.  Just to become knowledgeable enough so to be able to solve small
> problems. Now the question is, could I come to the meeting (I understand it
> is next week) and bring my laptop, or are your meetings only for a drink
> and a chat about general things as you might not want to nor be able to
> look at computers there for help?
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Alexandra
>
> PS: I will do things slowly, as I don't want to be overwhelmed with it all
> and make mistakes. I might not reply for a day or so due to working, but
> will think about it and then attempt one thing at the time so thank you too
> for your patience!
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