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twovests wrote

Reply to comment by Dogmantra in Computer touchers: what's a good easy to install linux for a low power streaming box? by Dogmantra

Looking at those specs, I think I ought to recant my Pop recommendation and look for a more light-weight Linux, specifically the Xfce Linux Mint: https://www.linuxmint.com/download.php

As a bonus, Linux Mint XFCE is very "Windows" shaped, still based on Debian, and even more lightweight than Pop! OS.

(I would also recommend using USB and not MicroSD. I don't know why, but I've had problems with using SD cards instead of USB drives on laptops.)

Doing some searching, it seems like people installing Linux on a laptop with a broken screen are usually able to do so by disconnecting the monitor. I can't find the repair manual for this, so this might be difficult... (I would try connecting a monitor at least, to see if you can access BIOS without )

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Dogmantra OP wrote

oh good news is that I have had this machine open before and I know exactly where the ribbon cable is - it's the fact it's not properly connecting that makes it broken in the first place, so best case scenario it's already disconnected (and worst case is that I just need to take out the very easily accessible cable!)

thank you once more :)

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twovests wrote

That IS good news :D Please feel free to ping us / me here, I love getting people into the Linux Cult

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Dogmantra OP wrote

install took a little while but was very painless. mint now installed and yeah this little machine can actually cope with web browsing and playing a youtube or iplayer video now which is really all I wanted it to do so thank you!

I shall probably be joining the linux cult at some point because I've had nothing but unpleasant experiences trying to get windows 10 to do what I want it to, and mint's very first thing being a popup saying "hey come and mess about with the settings til you have them how you like them" was sort of the nail in the coffin. I doubt I'll be migrating until I have to but when windows 10 stops working I am sure as heck not going to move to another windows unless microsoft bucks their ideas up bigtime!

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twovests wrote

This makes me happy to hear :D Please consider me / us / a resource for any questions you have. I'd be happy to hear any updates too c:

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