The Linux Thread

Well I also have found a 32-bit version here:

https://sourceforge.net/projects/ferenoslinux/files/

It is PAE enabled and is the 32-bit version of Cinnamon DE - would not run at all in live mode on said Notebook unlike Zorin Lite, but better design in that when booting on a newer desktop, there is an actual GRUB menu option to force PAE - so noobs don't have to figure out to add the 'forcepae -- forcepae' command at boot time. Both Zorin 12.4 and FerenOS come with the Spectre fix built in.

Before anyone dives into GNU/Linux please watch this video:

And read this excellent article:

https://www.linux.com/learn/how-install-linux-windows-machine-uefi-secure-boot - in particular the section about Windows 10

and lastly, if you want to invest in new GNU/Linux friendly kit:

https://www.entroware.com/store/

Can you still get the free Ubuntu disc or are there only downloads? The reason I ask is because I am thinking of putting an SSD into my laptop and I do not fancy paying for any windows products.

Can you still get the free Ubuntu disc or are there only downloads? The reason I ask is because I am thinking of putting an SSD into my laptop and I do not fancy paying for any windows products.

Hi Kidorry,

Here is your answer (sort of):

https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2016/04/buy-ubuntu-16-04-usb-official

According to the article only LTS releases still available on DVD, but don't know if that is changed to USB only now as most machines these days can do it and it lends to a faster install than an optical drive, all else being considered.

[update: No they don't provide disks or USBs any more: https://shop.canonical.com/index.php?cPath=17]

Cheers for that. I have a Ubuntu and a kubuntu 8.04 on disc. Could I install one of these into the laptop and would they update themselves to the more recent versions?

Here's why you shouldn't:

https://www.pcworld.com/article/3173612/security/eleven-year-old-root-flaw-found-and-patched-in-the-linux-kernel.html

http://fridge.ubuntu.com/2013/05/10/ubuntu-8-04-hardy-heron-end-of-life-reached-on-may-9-2013/

I would download any Ubuntu/fork based on 18.04 - if low powered then you would be better going for SolydX community edition (currently version 9) or Antix17 - both of these don't have Physical Address Extension support (Intel processors) and the latter runs with only 256 Mb RAM so will perform well if you have anything with more than that in it the notebooks.

Here's why you shouldn't:

 

https://www.pcworld.com/article/3173612/security/eleven-year-old-root-flaw-found-and-patched-in-the-linux-kernel.html

 

http://fridge.ubuntu.com/2013/05/10/ubuntu-8-04-hardy-heron-end-of-life-reached-on-may-9-2013/

 

I would download any Ubuntu/fork based on 18.04 - if low powered then you would be better going for SolydX community edition (currently version 9) or Antix17 - both of these don't have Physical Address Extension support (Intel processors) and the latter runs with only 256 Mb RAM so will perform well if you have anything with more than that in it the notebooks.

Cheers for that and it looks as though I will bin the discs and buy the U.S.B.

Hi kidorry you missed my update. They stopped doing that too!

I have just sent for a Linux puppy disc to try on a old Dell Latitude D505 a laptop that is built like a tank ,any one think the disc will work?.

Can you be more specific as to release number?

Can you be more specific as to release number?

a Xinialpup 32 bit the ebay add states it is for older computers.

Hi Albert, suggest you use this software:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-gb/sysinternals/downloads/coreinfo

to establish if your CPU supports PAE. Xenial pup means it will be based on Ubuntu 16.04 and all versions of Ubuntu from 12.04 up have PAE enabled kernels. If your processor does not support PAE it may not run. Haven't been able to establish if Xenial pup is PAE enabled.

This article may help but no guarantees.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/PAE