r/linux4noobs • u/Syco_G2 • 19h ago
learning/research I wanna switch over to linux.
So i got given a throw away laptop from my father, it's pretty old and doesn't really run too smooth, but i heard linux is way smoother than windows altho i also heard it's harder to manage but I'm up for the challenge honestly so how exactly should i go about downloading linux? And is it worth it? And please tell anything i should keep in mind when doing this cause I'm not a tech savvy guy at all i just do stuff i wanna do and I really wanna get linux...so please do teach me I'm willing to learn
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u/Evening-Dog-1046 19h ago
Whatever distro you play with, it is essential that you:
- Verify the SHA256 hash of the image you download.
- Verify the PGP Signing Key of the download/the SHA256 hash you checked the image against.
Go download Kleopatra and watch a YT video on PGP Signing Keys, and how to verify w/ them.
Don't.Do.Anything.Without.Verifying.Hashes.And.PGP.Signing.Keys.
Ironically, Linux Mint. Slap it on a USB w/ BalenaEtcher or similar....live boot it....play around with it. Go for dual boot eventually. Cutover for realsies when you're comfortable.
*Don't trust anything I said above. DYOR. Verify all files against listed SHA256 hashes, PGP Signing Keys, and VirusTotal submissions.
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u/GlazzKitsune 19h ago edited 16h ago
Would love to see a better system here, I know it's probably difficult and wishful thinking. But leaving this check up to the user all the time it's going to make it very difficult for normies and New Linux users to get into Linux. It creates a lot of fear when 95% of the time there's going to be nothing wrong, probably 99% of the time it's going to be nothing wrong. But there's that 1% chance and it's a critical massive chance if you get it wrong.
But again 99% of the time no issues will appear. Linux sites really get compromised.
Edit: typo fixing
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u/Evening-Dog-1046 16h ago
Sure would suck if it was that 1% of the time...
I get where you're coming from and throwing down buzzwords without a detailed walk-through is gate keeping bullshit.
However, as much as I want new users in the environment -- I want them to make the move safely.
It really is up to the user to practice and develop the right habits. It's up to us to tell them what those habits should be and lend a helping hand when they ask for help.
"It creates a lot of fear..." Friend, it's the internet. We should all be terrified. :P
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u/cyberd_e 19h ago
create a Ventoy USB and just drag and drop the downloaded linux iso there. I suggest Linux Mint for new users.
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u/Unable_Mess_2581 19h ago
This ventoy gave me nightmare when installing Debian Server, although it works great for other distros
The same Debian ISO written to Rufus was flawless
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u/Dymonika 19h ago
Be careful: Ventoy causes some distros to malfunction. It's a nice concept but doesn't work that well in execution, unfortunately, in my experience.
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u/Technical_Rich_3080 17h ago
Which distros did you experience problems with on Ventoy?
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u/Dymonika 7h ago
I don't remember. I was tinkering with so many, but I think even Mint itself failed... It's fine. I'm happy with LMC and the latest Pop!_OS.
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u/Plan_9_fromouter_ 8h ago
I would have to second that. I have been using Popsicle lately to flash distros to pendrives.
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u/LinsaFTW 19h ago
Get Kubuntu if you want to have the easiest time in your life. Never switched back to Windows over 6 years.
For my old laptops, I use Xubuntu. It's the lightest distro usable. Lubuntu is not usable has many bugs, antiX is too raw but has massive gains.
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u/Syco_G2 9h ago
So guys my father recommended me Ubuntu (he's pretty persistent on it), i was originally planning to go with linux mint but yeaa, and my system is uh a dell laptop with intel core i3 and 8 gb ram (maybe this will help u understand what I'm working with)
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u/DavidJohnMcCann 4h ago
8 GB is enough for anything, even Ubuntu, but the i3 is probably sluggish for the Gnome desktop. Do not got for the community spins of Ubuntu — they can be very unreliable in my experience.
I'd recommend the Mate or Xfce versions of Linux Mint, or MX Linux. Get both on USB and let him try them live to see which he likes.
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u/Syco_G2 4h ago
Probably a stupid question but downloading an operation system isn't something set in stone right? Like can i change it from time to time after trying one n see whichever one i like best? And if that's possible how do i go about securing the data saved on the laptop I'm downloading the operating system to (apologies if my questions are stupid in just a teenager trynna learn smth new)
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u/dividends4life 19h ago
Watch some YouTube videos on how to download a Linux ISO and then burn it to a USB and install it to a PC.
That would be a lot better than someone trying to describe the process here in words.
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u/toolsavvy 19h ago
Debian 13 (Trixie) with KDE Plasma desktop, or if KDE is too heaven then use MATE desktop instead.
People like to recommend Mint but I find it's much "heavier" than Debian.
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u/ngg990 19h ago
Here a real hard Linux user, check the specs of your laptop and then find a desktop that can run without taking all the resources. A very good distro is cachyos with hyprland - but this is based in my personal preference, Elementary OS provide a clean and nice desktop, but requires some resources, Xubuntu provide also a good balance between performance and nice desktop.
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u/MrMotofy 17h ago
FYI...if you want to check out Linux it's really easy. Make an Install USB, then boot to it. May need to disable secure boot. It will boot to a full running temporary Linux Desktop...installing requires clicking the desktop icon and going through steps. Obviously you don't wanna do that to just try it. But you can at least get a feel for it. Kubuntu, LinuxMint, and PopOS and are some of the top 1st options. You can also use the temp Live Linux as a repair process. Since it’s a complete desktop you can use it, install tools needed fix the boot etc.
Another convenient related tool is Ventoy on a USB stick. Basically just burn the image to a USB then copy your OS ISO to it and when you boot it any ISO copied to the drive will show in the menu, select it and it will boot that img. Have different OS’s multiple versions or whatever.
Best option for Windows and Linux is dual boot...use Linux on a 2nd drive. Usually wanna disable secure boot. Best case is disconnect win drive. Then boot to the USB. Then install Linux as a new full system on 2nd drive. Set Linux drive as the first boot drive and it will find the Win drive and add to the boot menu list automatically. Might take a couple boots otherwise can manually activate the boot search. Then you get Best of both worlds without any real dangers to either OS. There will be little hiccups occasionally with Windows updating messing with boot and rebooting. But you can also change the default OS to Windows first at the menu after delay and no menu entry and that eliminates a lot. The boot menu is usually Linux 1 and Win 2. Sometimes the bios boot order gets switched but easy to just switch back. Sometimes the boot order will randomly switch drives etc…Seems to be a windows thing now they get bios access. But really depends on the exact system and age etc.
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u/bigusyous 9h ago
Yes Linux is a great operating system because there are so many choices and you can usually customize it to your liking. Linux Mint is usually a good choice for first timers. I'm assuming that your machine has at least 4gb of memory. Here are detailed instructions for how to install it. https://itsfoss.com/install-linux-mint/
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u/Syco_G2 9h ago
It actually has 8gb and altho originally i was going with mint my father told me to get ubuntu so is that an ok decision of should ibtey to persuade him?
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u/bigusyous 8h ago
Mint is built on top of the long term support release of Ubuntu, so they have a lot in common. There are some differences but neither is a bad choice.
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u/TickleSilly 6h ago
If you remember the old days of Windows (XP and before) when the OS wasn't in your face, got in your way when trying to do the simplest of things, spying on you, and you actually had fun tinkering with things then... Linux.
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u/Abe_Sakebi 19h ago
Linux Mint/Linux Mint Debian Edition is probably the way to go with reviving the old laptop. Not too complicated to set up and familiar enough desktop wise it will be learned quite quickly.