I'm having some trouble installing Ubuntu Mate on my old HP Pavilion laptop that still runs on Windows 7. I managed to install it on my Toshiba laptop with Windows 10 without any issues, but this one is proving to be a challenge. Internet Explorer is blocking most websites I try to access, and I can't get my flash drive to work for booting up Linux. I don't want to wipe the computer either since it seems like Microsoft has locked down Windows 7 pretty tight. Any suggestions on how I can make this work? I'd really like to avoid adding more electronic waste, and I want to make the most out of this laptop before considering any replacements. Thanks!
3 Answers
It sounds like your flash drive might be malfunctioning or too slow to initialize. Windows 7 shouldn’t prevent booting another OS, but make sure your BIOS settings allow it. Check the boot order to see if the USB is prioritized over the hard drive. Also, be sure to use a good quality USB drive—if it doesn’t show up at all in the BIOS, that could be your issue!
You might want to look into the BIOS settings. If you're dealing with UEFI, that's likely where the problem lies. Some manufacturers can make it a bit tricky, but there could be a simple fix like adjusting the boot order. If you decide to wipe the drive later, consider using GParted from a bootable USB—it can help with that.
If you’re struggling to get around the computer, here's a few tips: Try downloading Firefox ESR to have a more up-to-date browser for better access. Also, you could look into lighter Linux distros like AntiX or Q4OS. For an easier USB installation process, check out Ventoy—it lets you boot various ISOs from a single drive without hassle. You can grab ISOs from Distrowatch if you're having trouble finding the right ones.
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