FREE Linux OS needed

[Kursah]

Really? OMG IMGBurn is for CD/DVDs just sayin

Seems you may be surprised how useful a piece of software like IMGBurn actually is still, even in 2018. Especially in the professional IT industry let alone for home users.

Also before Rufus was good at creating UEFI bootable USB's, IMGBurn DVD's were still the way to go. Thought admittedly I primarily use bootable USB's where possible, but I have a USB DVD drive and a few of what I would consider field-necessary DVD's full of goodies and OSes to deploy in the field. Saves time, gets the job done. That's what matters.

I prefer Rufus for USB, IMGBurn for CD/DVD. As-far-as Linux based distros, I usually just default to Ubuntu anymore, even for older systems. I play around with other distros for server environments, but for end-user system situations, Ubuntu (w/Gnome) gets the job done quite nicely when you want to step away from a Windows environment. Mint is a solid option as well.

 

[FatLeeAdama]

I would recommend Mint as well. Although I did try elementary a few months ago and liked the macOS feel. It hasn't been around very long, so for a new user cant recommend. Also, I would like to point out distrowatch.com is a great resource to look around.

 

[lynx29]

Use http://www.linuxliveusb.com

I ended up using this and I finally was able to install Ubuntu without issue or any "creating root file error". Thanks mate.Hopefully its legit, and didn't include any malware with my install, lol. Never heard of it before.

 

[FatLeeAdama]

I use linuxliveusb as well. It does look sketch but I have never had any issues yet.

 

[The_DriverX]

Just for the record, another option is Etcher. https://etcher.io/

 

[Norton]

Just for the record, another option is Etcher. https://etcher.io/

pendrivelinux also works very well, that's what I use for setting up a flash drive for a Linux install

 

[yesyesloud]

You'd be surprised to find out how well the "heavy" DEs work with limited resources.

I get what you mean. Distributions featuring heavier Desktop Environments will run just fine on the OP's hardware.

Regardless, Lubuntu/Xubuntu (any XFCE/LXDE distro for that matter) would have an edge in the RAM department, which's kind of key in this case.

I've tried out several GNU/Linux distributions on a couple of core 2 duo laptops I own but no "mainstream" one felt/was actually snappier. I settled for Lubuntu - actually Ubuntu Minimal + LXDE (the install is pretty anal as you can pick a DE among other sets of packages).

Unity (discontinued as ubuntu's main desktop environment), Gnome 3+, KDE, Cinnamon and Mate are considerably more bloated than LXDE and XFCE on boot.

(source)


As for setup media writing, my favs:
Unetbootin
LiLi
Rufus

Edit: LXDE and XFCE are more "Windows-like" than Ubuntu's default DEs.

 

[AsRock]

Worst thing in Vista (chicken) it always used to much RAM on 2GB (Mint for new laptops, Xubuntu for old).

Runnijng Vista is not a issue for the laptop even with all the crap Lenevo had on it, problem here was MS and well i guess who is using the key when they should not be. But apparently you can steal keys once MS stops supporting said OS.

Seems you may be surprised how useful a piece of software like IMGBurn actually is still, even in 2018. Especially in the professional IT industry let alone for home users.

Also before Rufus was good at creating UEFI bootable USB's, IMGBurn DVD's were still the way to go. Thought admittedly I primarily use bootable USB's where possible, but I have a USB DVD drive and a few of what I would consider field-necessary DVD's full of goodies and OSes to deploy in the field. Saves time, gets the job done. That's what matters.

I prefer Rufus for USB, IMGBurn for CD/DVD. As-far-as Linux based distros, I usually just default to Ubuntu anymore, even for older systems. I play around with other distros for server environments, but for end-user system situations, Ubuntu (w/Gnome) gets the job done quite nicely when you want to step away from a Windows environment. Mint is a solid option as well.

Yes it's been around a hell long time and would of been my goto if i did not have a USB stick available at the time.

 

[johnspack]

so.. mpv player really? a drag and drop minimalist video box, vs smplayer, a full entertainment center, with youtube ripping et al... sheesh, linux kiddies...

smplayer is old, mpv is the new cool kid.

 

[GoldenX]

Same engine and functionality, better on resources, and the interface can be customized.
The future is now, old man.

 

[johnspack]

Yeah, I am an oldster, and I like the way smplayer looks, and how the functions are readily available. Remember, 8 months ago, I was windows only....

 

[Readlight]

Downloaded Mint and budgie work well on flash drive. better than windows 10. only had some visual glitches on an old laptop.
its like portable operating system.

 

[rk3066]

What happen to Linux Lite not on the list. It's based on Ubuntu and uses less memory then all the others

LINK

 

[johnspack]

Ubuntu 18.04 comes with an installer that allows both full and minimal installs. You might want to check that out.

 

[rk3066]

Guys try Linux Lite 4.0 Beta LINK Forum Release

I like how they changed the Colors and boot-logo but no more 32-bit support though you'll have to use 3.8 which is supported till 2033 I think

 

[Killer_Rubber_Ducky]

Linux is hard to install, after I mount with RUFUS it always tells me "this hard drive has no root file, bla bla" I assumed it was like windows you just boot from USB and click install and next next next, boom OS. i gave up about 2 months ago

When setting up a USB boot stick, I always use YUMI from PenDriveLinux. I have had too many failures with rufus. When in doubt, YUMI or just burn a disc. You can always use a DVDRW disc so you can reuse it.

Also, in terms of Steam games, ANY linux distro will play Steam Games that support Linux. Ubuntu is not required to play Linux steam games.

 

[sepheronx]

I tried Rosalinux and Mint. Rosa has good support and is being updated regularly with their own proprietary stuff too. But of course it isn't for everyone. But Mint is....Mint. Another vote of mine for Mint.

 

[rk3066]

I would put CLOUDREADY out there but unless you just browse the web and use Google Docs for your work then I'd try that. It's based off Chrome OS but just note it'll erase everything from your HDD/SSD. You can create a USB of it with the Chrome Browser recovery tool. It's fast and works for pretty much every laptop (2008+) and desktops

LINK

 

[lynx29]

When setting up a USB boot stick, I always use YUMI from PenDriveLinux. I have had too many failures with rufus. When in doubt, YUMI or just burn a disc. You can always use a DVDRW disc so you can reuse it.

Also, in terms of Steam games, ANY linux distro will play Steam Games that support Linux. Ubuntu is not required to play Linux steam games.

Ah, well with Ubuntu 18.04, there is no longer any issue with installing it straight from a rufus mount, so no worries. They really optimized the install process for newbies with the altest Ubuntu release.

 

[rk3066]

Well from two computers I tried ubuntu before but yeah this was last build they had. Mean the install was easy but just had some graphical issues while installing so I switched to MINT and no issues since

 

[GoldenX]

Gnome is bipolar, it either works like a charm, or is a bugfest, there is no middle ground.
Unity was nice, but to me it always had some problem with video drivers.