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brozium
April 23rd, 2011, 05:11 PM
So, I have this Compaq Presario SR1220LA and it is running awfully slow in Windows, so I tried to install Joli OS 1.2. To my surprise it was even slower than Windows, so I tried installing Natty Beta 2 and everything was running perfectly during install but suddenly a message box appeared telling me the kernel wasn't able to identify changes made on disk (I don't remember the exact words, but something like that)

So what OS can I try on this machine, since it's my aunt's and she needs something that is easy to use.

thanks

KegHead
April 23rd, 2011, 05:32 PM
Hi!

More info please!

KegHead

Joe of loath
April 23rd, 2011, 05:48 PM
You say you installed natty beta, have you actually tried a stable version of Ubuntu? 10.10 and 10.04 are the current supported versions.

KegHead
April 23rd, 2011, 05:54 PM
Hi!

your specs;

http://bizsupport1.austin.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?objectID=c00520431&lang=en&cc=us&taskId=101&prodSeriesId=450204&prodTypeId=12454

Do you know how much ram you have?

Also, is this a clean install?

KegHead

brozium
April 23rd, 2011, 06:23 PM
Specs:
Pentium 4 @ 2.80Ghz
256mb ram

I tried installing different Linux distros, including lightweight ones, but I can't get past the installer and when I'm able to install something I get errors or it doesn't even boot into the OS.
The only one that I remember it worked was Ubuntu 8.04, in Live CD even effects were enabled, but when I installed it and booted from hard drive it was messed up.

mörgæs
April 23rd, 2011, 06:28 PM
Try installing Lubuntu without running as a live CD.
Remember to have wired internet access in the process.

Another option is
http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/minimal

Getting more memory to the machine would make a big difference.

brozium
April 23rd, 2011, 11:39 PM
Gonna try that, but the drives in the computer don't work quite well so I need to use a USB to install everything.
Tried natty beta 2 alternate but can't install it from USB, it can't find the cd.

Anyway, i'll try lubuntu and xubuntu later

mörgæs
April 24th, 2011, 03:36 PM
This is an older machine. Does it support booting from USB?

brozium
April 24th, 2011, 04:01 PM
This is an older machine. Does it support booting from USB?

Yes, after I did a BIOS update it now supports booting from USB.

brozium
April 24th, 2011, 07:12 PM
So Lubuntu 11.04 Beta 2 was a go.
Everything is working, but now I want to install Unity or make it easy to use because my 60+ years old aunt won't understand this very much.

I installed Unity 2D but when I enter the session I get this:

"Xsession: unsupported number of arguments (2): falling back to default session"
I click "Okay" and Unity launches with a messed up theme.
What do?
Suggestions?

mörgæs
April 24th, 2011, 08:26 PM
We are dealing with a beta. The intention is that you are helping the forum with reporting bugs, not the other way around. Only few people report bugs for Lubuntu, so your contribution is most welcome:

https://www.launchpad.net/ubuntu/

Be a good nephew. Give your aunt something stable, that is Lubuntu 10.10.

brozium
April 24th, 2011, 11:11 PM
I know it's beta but i'm almost sure I already tried the 10.10 version with no luck, so now I tried with 11.04

mörgæs
April 24th, 2011, 11:32 PM
With 256 MB of memory I would go for a classic Lubuntu desktop without anything fancy added. That should be possible in 10.10.

brozium
May 7th, 2011, 04:13 PM
Hey guys, I tried Lubuntu and it worked!:D
But my aunt didn't like it so I tried Xubuntu and now she loves it!

Thanks to the Xubuntu devs, it's a really nice and polished OS:P

dino99
May 7th, 2011, 04:24 PM
but remember of 256 mb is a very low level, so dont expect too much :(

brozium
May 7th, 2011, 04:25 PM
well but it runs awesome:D
at least faster than windows...