Installing Ubuntu on Windows 8 laptop...

[quilter1965.gb]

Does anyone actually like this OS? I got a new laptop last night and the horror started. I had thought I would dual boot but after trying it out I can honestly say I want no part of it. So can anyone tell me how I can safely delete Windows 8 and install ubuntu? Its an HP laptop.

[Mark Phelps]

Does anyone actually like this OS?

Have you even tried using it in Desktop mode? Also, there are a number of free Start Button add-ons you can install -- and the combination of these with Desktop mode return the PC to the desktop style of Win 7 -- which LOTS of people like.

Telling you because (1) HP is infamous for using highly specialized hardware in their laptops -- for which you are unlikely to find Linux drivers, and (2), you already paid for Win 8, so why not try using it like Win7 before you immediately throw away what you paid good money to get?

[oldfred]

I also recommend dual booting, some of the new systems can only be maintained from Windows. A few very early UEFI with secure boot could only get into UEFI from Windows (and if Windows would not boot system was a brick). Originally blamed on Linux but turned out that it was vendor's implementation of UEFI.

If dual booting you do need to install Ubuntu in UEFI mode also. Be sure to turn off fast boot, secure boot and if an Ultrabook review additional details in link in my signature.
Also first three install links in the link in my signature are vital to understanding the differences with UEFI over BIOS.

What model HP. Other HPs and some of the issues they had.
HP Envy M6
http://askubuntu.com/questions/346257/install-alongside-windows-8-is-not-working
HP Envy - Legacy boot seems to mean either UEFI or Legacy depending on which is found to boot from
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2167063
Installing Ubuntu on HP Envy-6 Details of what worked post #11
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2123975
HP 4545s Secure boot off, manually copy files.
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2133796
HP Manually renamed files to make it work.
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2131886