Attempting to set up Ubuntu while facing issues with GRUB.
Attempting to set up Ubuntu while facing issues with GRUB.
Hey there. I own an old laptop, an HP 15-d027ca. It's a bit outdated, but I'm using it mainly for YouTube. Windows 10 works fine, though the 1Ghz speed is starting to feel slow. I switched to Linux because it’s more stable, and I can boot from a USB without any trouble. I initially tried Xubuntu but ran into problems installing GRUB. Then I moved to Lubuntu, which worked better. I attempted to create partitions manually and let the installer handle it, but it kept throwing errors. I checked the BIOS settings—legacy support, secure boot, virtualization options—but nothing seemed to fix it. The laptop is only worth $250, so I’m keeping it minimal. There are guides on dual-booting, but after wiping the drive, finding solutions is tough. I’m hoping someone can help me set it up for dual boot with Firefox and add-ons. If this issue persists, it might be a problem with Linux software or just this specific model. I’d really appreciate any advice, even if it’s just someone else’s experience.
Lubuntu 19.10 and Xubuntu 20.04 are both 64-bit versions if that's relevant.
From what I understand, installing Ubuntu requires a network connection, even in an isolated setup. First, I checked that the system still had some OS left on the drive, and Ubuntu couldn't remove it, preventing new firmware installation. So I considered formatting the drive with a live USB before proceeding. Another thought was that the ISO might be corrupted, so I planned to recreate it and try again. I hope this helps.
I have an Ethernet cable linked to the laptop, which shouldn't cause any problems. There are no network issues when using Ubuntu from a USB drive either. I'm planning to format the disk, and after removing and resetting partitions in the installer, hoping it will work. I'll also try re-downloading the ISO. I'm getting started! Thanks for your support!
Everyone did an amazing job. It finally worked after I re-downloaded and made the bootable USB again. I suspect the formatting process was the key. I went through several options—Windows install, Xubuntu, Lubuntu—but never fully erased the drive. I used DBAN to wipe it, which helped. I didn’t run 'sudo apt update' from the terminal, but maybe someone else could suggest a workaround. If I ever win the lottery, I’ll return here and treat everyone to A&W or a big pot of chicken. Thanks for all the great help! You all had an awesome weekend.