[HLUG] Linux Ubuntu help ?

Sat May 21 09:47:39 UTC 2016

On 19 May 2016 at 17:15, Alex at Conceits via Herefordshire <
herefordshire at mailman.lug.org.uk> wrote:

> 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.
>

Hello Again Alexandra

>
>   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.
>

Firstly, this must Linux 12.04 you have or Precvise Penguin as it is
nicknamed. This still supported but not for much longer. There are two
newer main versions (LTS) version since then.

If it appeasr that its better to upgrade or reinstall then using the latest
version of Ubuntu 16.04 (or one of its variants) is the way to go.

>  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!!)
>

laptops are designed to speed up and down. if the processopr is working
heard it will make the fan work harder to cool it down. But earlier
versions of Linux werent so good at doing this, and your version is 4 years
old now. A newer version may well cure the problem.

> 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.
>

Ah, I can answer this one for you I think. Wifi drivers are far better now
than they were 4 years ago too. back then some were occasionally a little
flakey due to not very good support from the makers of the wifi chipsets.
This has more or less disappeared now.  The reason why your wifi worked
after booting into Win 7 was that it loaded the drivers in windows, then if
you just do a reboot rather than a power off and on, the drivers for the
firmware are still resident and Ubuntu can access these drivers that it may
not ahve been able to access before and thus work. Thats the simple
explanation ;-)

>
> 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.
>

Linux still has a number of very helpful but quite 'geeky' computer
aficionados that want to really help, but just end up talking at a higher
level than some may understand. Its teh same for Windows at an extent too,
but far more so for Linux. Thats why the guide you need and there are some
really good beginners linux ones are out there. Edgy is still a really old
version really. Always best to go for the latest LTS (long term support) on
Ubuntu as this is supported with updates for 5 years.

>
> 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.
>

The terminal is very useful to really get to grips with a computer. But its
far more useful to actually see what the responses are to what you type in,
its harder to do this, via  aweb forum. Still often it can give many clues
as to whats happening.

>
> 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.
>

Good.

> 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?
>

 If you install or upgrade Ubuntu (or any desktop version of Linux) there
will always be a browser installed.  That said you can install software
from the terminal too if you require but this shouldnt be necessary.

Installing Ubuntu alongside Win 7, is not difficult its quite easy really.
Unfortunately installing Linux alongside Win 8, or 10 is harder than it
used to be due to a number of changes to the BIOS such as UEFI and secure
boot. Its still not too difficult but can go wrong a little bit more often
than it used to. The thing with Linux is you can almost always fix any
problem with a linux pc assuming enough help or experience which you cant
so readily with windows, where fairly often it is easier and sometimes then
only route forward is to reinstall.

>
> 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 go for 16.04, but may be one of the lighter variants of Ubuntu.
Ubuntu mate or Xubuntu may be good choices as they are Ubuntu but designed
to use lighter libraries and desktops so your machine will feel faster. You
have 4GB ram which helps a lot.  One thing is that you have an AMD Radeon
graphics driver. Without getting into the technical stuff, theres been some
changes recently and AMD are now supporting the open source driver rather
than their own older proprietary driver. Ubuntui has decided to only allow
the new AMD open source driver now . This shouldnt make any difference
unless you are a gamer but may be useful for others reading this, ie
apparently you can no longer even attempt to install fglrx driver here with
16.04

>
>
>
>  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?
>

I'm sure we can help on Wednesday and on here,. On Wednesday please do say
if you don't understand though and we can take it back a step.

I'm sure others will have their own helpful suggestions. Look forward to
meeting you on Wednesday.

Julian

> 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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