I tried Ubuntu on two machines yesterday, with mixed results.
First, I tried it on an older eMachines with a 64-bit AMD Athlon and 2 GB RAM. There is a video card driver problem with that computer, and it looks like a known issue. The video card is the same reason you can't put the 32-bit Windows 7 on this computer, though 64-bit Windows 7 reportedly works okay. There is a known issue, apparently upgradeable with a BIOS update. Will work on this later.
http://superuser.com/questions/435014/wh...machines-el1200
Second, I tried it on our Compaq Presario C306 laptop. And it runs pretty good. It doesn't load particularly fast, and I wouldn't say that it feels all that particularly fast, but it runs good. I kept Windows 7 on it, and it's set up to dual boot. The LibreOffice 3 apps that bundle with 12.04 LTS work okay, though they're also slow to load and feel a little clunky to use. I remember liking OpenOffice 2.1 better when I tried it a few years ago. I do have a driver issue with this laptop, though: Ubuntu does not recognize the Broadcom B4311 wireless controller. There are also known issues here, with lots of internet help on installing the drivers. I worked on that for hours yesterday, but could not get it to work. I can get connectivity with a Dlink USB stick. And interestingly, the wireless "toggle button" on the computer will toggle that Dlink USB stick on and off, but it won't use the onboard wireless. Windows 7 is able to use it, however, so I know the hardware is good. That's disappointing, but I will keep working that this weekend.
Has anyone out there with Ubuntu gotten a Broadcom wireless controller to work, especially after some kicking and fussing? I'd be interested in your tips and tricks on that.
Thanks!
First, I tried it on an older eMachines with a 64-bit AMD Athlon and 2 GB RAM. There is a video card driver problem with that computer, and it looks like a known issue. The video card is the same reason you can't put the 32-bit Windows 7 on this computer, though 64-bit Windows 7 reportedly works okay. There is a known issue, apparently upgradeable with a BIOS update. Will work on this later.
http://superuser.com/questions/435014/wh...machines-el1200
Second, I tried it on our Compaq Presario C306 laptop. And it runs pretty good. It doesn't load particularly fast, and I wouldn't say that it feels all that particularly fast, but it runs good. I kept Windows 7 on it, and it's set up to dual boot. The LibreOffice 3 apps that bundle with 12.04 LTS work okay, though they're also slow to load and feel a little clunky to use. I remember liking OpenOffice 2.1 better when I tried it a few years ago. I do have a driver issue with this laptop, though: Ubuntu does not recognize the Broadcom B4311 wireless controller. There are also known issues here, with lots of internet help on installing the drivers. I worked on that for hours yesterday, but could not get it to work. I can get connectivity with a Dlink USB stick. And interestingly, the wireless "toggle button" on the computer will toggle that Dlink USB stick on and off, but it won't use the onboard wireless. Windows 7 is able to use it, however, so I know the hardware is good. That's disappointing, but I will keep working that this weekend.
Has anyone out there with Ubuntu gotten a Broadcom wireless controller to work, especially after some kicking and fussing? I'd be interested in your tips and tricks on that.
Thanks!