Need to find a new laptop to install Linux Mint on
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when I'm sat at home using my laptop I don't want to be trying to remember Linux commands so I use an OS that makes things simple for the user, in my case Windows, and I use W10 because in my experience it is quicker and more capable than previous versions.
In linux these days, it's very rare to have to remember "Linux commands". Everything is available via a GUI.
(But commandline is still available if you choose to use it, which is very useful for remote admin, without requiring lots of bandwidth to remote-view an entire desktop.)0 -
There are two sorts of Linux home user: those who just want a stable OS to run their programs and do their everyday computing (and who probably run Mint or Ubuntu) and the hobbyists/tinkerers who like to try out every new distro and desktop as soon as it appears and who need to be command line savvy as getting these systems to work is seldom straightforward.
The hobbyists have a significant presence on forums and create an image for Linux as being geeky and difficult to use. It's a false image: stick with one of the mainstream distros and you'll find that Linux is well supported and no more difficult to work with than Windows. In many ways it's easier, and it does have a lot of advantages.
I know that there are none so tedious as an evangelical ex-smoker, but being an ex-Windows user probably runs it close. Still, I'd ask one question of those who think that using Windows is for 'normal' people and anything else is somehow deviant. Have you actually tried it? Really committed to it, not just slipped a live distro in the machine and then given up after 10 minutes because it's slow, it doesn't look like Windows, and you can't work out what to do next. If possible, try removing your hard disk and put in a spare - it doesn't need to be large or anything special. Do a full install of Mint or Ubuntu and set yourself the task of sticking with it for a week and making it do what you want it to do, installing additional software you might need and solving any problems as they appear. After a week, if you hate it, put your Windows disk back in and resume your 'normal' existence. At least you'll be able to back up your opinions from experience.
[/sermon]0 -
How many 'non-hobbyists' would know how to do this on their laptop?:fenlander_uk wrote: »There are two sorts of Linux home user: those who just want a stable OS to run their programs and do their everyday computing (and who probably run Mint or Ubuntu) and the hobbyists/tinkerers who like to try out every new distro and desktop as soon as it appears and who need to be command line savvy as getting these systems to work is seldom straightforward.
The hobbyists have a significant presence on forums and create an image for Linux as being geeky and difficult to use. It's a false image: stick with one of the mainstream distros and you'll find that Linux is well supported and no more difficult to work with than Windows. In many ways it's easier, and it does have a lot of advantages.fenlander_uk wrote: »If possible, try removing your hard disk and put in a spare - it doesn't need to be large or anything special.
I did try Linux a couple of times over the years, but it was completely hopeless at WiFi at that point, presumably due to lack of drivers, so I gave up on it as being too much like hard work.0 -
I never have problem with drivers on Linux, not recently anyway. These days all the modern and common drivers are already shipped into the distro just like how Windows already contains them.
On the popular distros like Ubuntu, Mint, Fedora, etc. Probably plenty of specialist distros you will probbaly still have to find/install them yourself.0 -
I have been using Linux Mint for years. I have no complex requirements just Internet, email and various Office functions.
I have never had to use the command line, everything is GUI and put simply it just works and is fast.0 -
You could probably repair the 5741 if you took your time. The first video I found on Youtube was somebody use a pound shop screwdriver, which will come with many bits. If you look around the pound shops, you can find a screwdriver with even more bits but it has a rubber handle.
I'd even go as far as saying that fixing the backlight on the 5535 will probably be easier than fixing the 5741. Obviously the 5741 is probably the faster machine, so it's up to you. But for about £35.00 on eBay, the screen is certainly worth a go. It's normally a case of removing 4 screw covers, unscrewing the plastic surround, unscrewing the panel - then install the panel and reverse the removal procedure.0 -
OP - if you've already decided the laptop is broken, you really don't have much to lose by trying to fix it. If you can find some suitably sized tools, clear a table, set up a bright desk light, get yourself a big mug of tea and have at it!
And when it's running again, remind yourself that your hard work just got you a 'free' laptop, and have fun installing Mint on it :-)0 -
I moved to linux mint about a year ago. I've got no sound on anything, WiFi that almost works but 50% of pages fail to load, one printer that almost works but fails for a variety of reasons plus other problems that I cannot remember. Its installed as a dual boot with XP which has none of these problems so its the OS not the pc at fault.Jivesinger wrote: »I did try Linux a couple of times over the years, but it was completely hopeless at WiFi at that point, presumably due to lack of drivers, so I gave up on it as being too much like hard work.
The biggest problem for me is getting online help as its always from techno geeks who expect you to rewrite the os in some, trial and error way rather than use the os and adjust setting within it. When the geeks rejoin the human race and understand most people want a working printer and not a time consuming hobby and they then start communicating in a way normal people can understand linux will be much more usable.
The parts of linux that work, work well but when there's a problem Windows is easier to work with for the average user mainly due to the mindset of those offering help.0 -
As I’ve said, I have Linux Mint Mate 18.1 up and running, and all is good...so far.
I’ve downloaded and installed the “Skype for Linux DEB” version, but have yet to test it! The built in microphone doesn’t appear to be functioning, in the sound preferences page….no lighting up when I talk! This is the only program that I REALLY need to work that might not, as I use it to keep in touch with my son who is in New Zealand, and he uses Macs. I’ve hunted around but can’t find another free VoiP program that we can both use! Also, my Thunderbird ..52.2.1...dosen’t notify me when new mail arrives...like it did on Windows….even though I have set the appropriate alerts in the sound preferences page, and keep resetting it up,‘cos it keeps switching off! And no, I can’t update it, as no updates are being offered, and there is no calendar either!
My final niggle with LM18.1 is that I can’t find a theme which gives the scrollbar arrows, which I would really like to have especially for Firefox! Any suggestions?
As for fixing the 5741, I’m going to ask one of my young neighbours if they know of anyone who fixes PC hardware, as the last time I tried local shops, the first, quite a few years back, wanted £60 to reinstall Windows XP! (that prompted me to learn how to do that!), and the second, £140 for a new backlight! And NO, poppellerant and epninety, I just don’t have the confidence to repair it, even though I’ve done plenty of home DIY….painting, decorating, laying carpets, some woodwork, and I went to Art school years ago… I still don’t feel capable of fixing this!!
TIA S0 -
To be quite honest, after watching the video I had I can see why maybe you're not exactly instilled with confidence, especially as somebody who hasn't done this before.As for fixing the 5741, I’m going to ask one of my young neighbours if they know of anyone who fixes PC hardware, as the last time I tried local shops, the first, quite a few years back, wanted £60 to reinstall Windows XP! (that prompted me to learn how to do that!), and the second, £140 for a new backlight! And NO, poppellerant and epninety, I just don’t have the confidence to repair it, even though I’ve done plenty of home DIY….painting, decorating, laying carpets, some woodwork, and I went to Art school years ago… I still don’t feel capable of fixing this!!
I prefer to watch a video and/or consult a service manual before attempting such jobs. That's why I've taken a little time to find a service manual for you, here. As daunting as all those pages might seem at first, they are really detailed and virtually foolproof. Get a friend to print out the disassembly part, read it and look over the laptop as you read it - things will start to click and you'll realise you don't need to do everything the manual says (ie: remove optical drive bezel).0
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