Install Ubuntu on HP Pavilion (Vista SP2) dv6397ea

Question

I have got a ten-year old HP Pavilion dv6397ea running under Vista SP2, Intel Core2 CPU-t7200 2.00ghz with 2G RAM. My video adapter model is NVidia GEForce GO 7400. I have got many hardware problems such as my computer running ultra-slow, overheating (I have removed my battery ages ago). I have cleaned my laptop a year ago and replaced the cooling gel on the processor.

I'm considering reformatting my hard drive and installing Ubuntu v.12 to reduce usage of my slowly-dying machine. I haven't got much use for games or specialized software (I already use open-source software for most of my daily tasks), Ubuntu seems like a logical choice.

However I have talked to my entourage and they told me that there might a be a problem installing Ubuntu because my HP might be "tattooed" and some of my hardware might not be recognized under Ubuntu. I have tried finding documentation on this, it's like searching for a needle inside a haystack... Is there any guide available or links on the Ubuntu website that would help me decide? Thank you for any help in advance, Marylene

Please [edit] your question and add hardware details of the laptop you are asking about. — Pilot6, May 20 '15 at 11:15
hi, I thought I did already.. Would I find all this info under "System information"? — Marylene Goulet, May 20 '15 at 11:19
You will need CPU name, RAM size and video adapter model at least. — Pilot6, May 20 '15 at 11:21

score 0 · Accepted Answer · answered May 20 '15 at 11:43

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Taking in account the hardware, I would suggest installing 32-bit version of Ubuntu 14.04 or Xubuntu 14.04. I do not expect any serious hardware problems. If there are any, you are welcome to ask questions.

But before you install, you can boot from installation usb or DVD, choose "Try Ubuntu" and test how everything works.

answered May 20 '15 at 11:43

Pilot6

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Thanks Pilot6, I'm making a bootable usb as we speak and will try it out. – Marylene Goulet May 20 '15 at 12:18
Clean install of Ubuntu 14.04, no hardware problems, everything works like a breeze, It's like having a brand new computer! Thanks again – Marylene Goulet May 20 '15 at 17:57
Then mark it as solved. – Pilot6 May 20 '15 at 18:00
By editing my original post and adding "Solved"? – Marylene Goulet May 21 '15 at 08:19
No by clicking "accepted" at the answer. http://askubuntu.com/help/someone-answers – Pilot6 May 21 '15 at 08:20
Can't seem to find that option even after reading this article: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UnansweredPostsTeam/SolvedThreads – Marylene Goulet May 22 '15 at 09:57
It looks like you did that already. – Pilot6 May 22 '15 at 16:11

Install Ubuntu on HP Pavilion (Vista SP2) dv6397ea

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