I'm having a tough time with my new HP Victus 15. I recently upgraded to Windows 11, and it decided to mess up my audio drivers. I've tried updating Windows, reinstalling drivers, and even factory resetting, but nothing sticks. I took it back to the store, and after he updated Windows, it worked for a bit, but then the issue came back. Frustrated, I tried switching to Linux, starting with Mint since I liked it on my old laptop, but the Wi-Fi wouldn't connect. I also tried using Fedora with KDE Plasma, but it completely wiped out my audio and Wi-Fi after installing the NVIDIA drivers. Now, I'm experimenting with different Ubuntu flavors, but they all have their issues: the LTS versions don't work, and Kubuntu won't even recognize my keyboard layout. I'd prefer to stick with either Cinnamon or KDE over GNOME because I'm not a fan of it, but I'm worried about stability. I've got Secure Boot disabled, and I plan to use this laptop mainly for schoolwork and some gaming on Steam. Can anyone recommend a Linux distribution that might work better?
5 Answers
I'd suggest checking online for driver support specific to your laptop model. Typing in the brand or model followed by 'Linux drivers' can lead you to useful resources. Also, the HP support site has drivers you might want to check out for Windows 11.
It might be easier to go back to Windows, especially if you still have a warranty. If you can return it, that could save you the headache.
You should definitely provide more details on what isn't working. Is it just Wi-Fi? Running `lspci` in the terminal can help identify what Wi-Fi card you have, and from that, you can determine driver support or potential compatibility issues. You could also use a USB tethering or an Ethernet cable to get temporary internet access while you troubleshoot.
Good idea! Checking the drivers is key, especially for Wi-Fi on Linux.
Thanks for the tip! I'll run `lspci` and take a look at the Wi-Fi card details.
Honestly, I think you might want to try Pop!_OS 22.04 with the NVIDIA ISO—it’s designed for easy NVIDIA integration. Just make sure you follow the instructions on driver installations to avoid conflicts.
If you're looking for a solid Linux experience, try out Manjaro with the Cinnamon edition. It’s Arch-based, has great hardware support, especially for NVIDIA, and you can install Wi-Fi drivers pretty easily. Plus, if you run into issues, a cheap USB Wi-Fi adapter is a good backup plan.
I would do that if I could! Unfortunately, I can't return it now.