The Linux.uk Community Forum

QuoteNow, it is my understanding that I need to 'burn' the image of the OS onto the disk and then attempt to boot from that disk before I can go through the installation and setup process, what software do I need to burn the image?

This why I suggested that you buy the disc or USB all ready for you to use - especially as you are having so much trouble with your system.  I recommend doing so. 
If you are set on burning your own USB then I recommend installing Unetbootin from http://unetbootin.github.io/ as it will download Ubuntu 20.04 (or many others) and burn it to USB all by itself.  Painlessly.  BUT I still suggest that you buy one in view of your system problems, especially as you have to await delivery of your new SDD, anyway. 

Don't forget to change the PC's boot order so it looks for USB, DVD then hard-drive/ssd in that order. 

Keith

QuoteI do have the required 4GB RAM (I checked the requirements on the link provided), but I am worried because it is the bare minimum needed, not the optimum, I might try the XFCE version which is apparently lighter. How did you get Ubuntu working on a system with only half the required RAM?

It's fine - trust me.  As I mentioned; I am running Ubuntu very well on 2GB and one lady friend used to run Ubuntu on 1GB!  I'm too mean to upgrade mine to 4GB. 
XFCE is very nice but be warned that smaller, Ubuntu-based OSs like that might not be supported by some software suppliers.  For example, Trueconf video conferencing doesn't have a version for XUbuntu. 

QuoteYou sure it isn't my hard drive?

No - not sure.  It might be.  Depends what you mean by Windows repairing the disc.  Might be repairing itself.   Buying a separate drive is a good thing anyway, so if you are worried, then go for it. 

QuoteI am beginning to think Microsoft doesn't care about the effect their updates have on computers not running the latest hardware.

I think a lot of people are at one with you there.  But I couldn't possibly comment. 

QuoteDo you have any cloud storage

Although I do use super-secure, free and encrypted mega.nz I tend to use it mostly as an easy way to give friends access to photos. 

QuoteYou have a windows EMULATOR?

Well, you'll have to install it. 

Let us know how you get on.  We are always here to help.

Keith

QuoteI am beginning to think my hard drive is actually starting to fail because my computer is becoming so slow and I get the blue screen of death at least weekly

The Blue Screen of Death and veeerryyy slow system is a Windows thing and is almost certainly nothing to do with your hard drive.  A lady friend had a Windows PC that took 1/2 hour to boot up and continued to be very, very slow.  I changed it to Ubuntu and she shed tears of joy. 
To save buying a new drive, you can install Linux alongside Windows on your existing drive.  When you boot up, you are given a choice of which system you want to boot into (default is Linux).  Then when you are happy, you can remove Windows and claim the space for Linux. 

You can copy all your files to a USB device using a Linux LiveDisc or LiveUSB.  As Brian mentioned; you can run Linux temporarily from the Live USB/disc and do any thing you like except save files to the HDD (until you actually install it, of course).  We can help you create a Live USB/disc but as your system is causing so much trouble you might like to buy one from here:
https://thelinuxshop.co.uk/ubuntu-m-35.html It costs ~£7.

Your RAM is fine if you don't want to play games or do heavy video editing (I think you mentioned that).  Most people recommend 8GB but my laptop is 2GB running Ubuntu very well.  Do check if you can simply upgrade the RAM in your PC, but if it's old it might not be possible. 

QuoteI can kill some background processes like smart defrag and driver updater (both iobit softwares) because these don't actually need to be running constantly. But...seems like windows has A LOT of system hogging stuff running.

Linux doesn't need to defragment as it works in a different way from Windows, which speeds things up quite a bit. 
Updating:  You can opt to have important updates installed automatically (although I find that a nuisance) but generally you, the owner, have to take responsibility to actually say "yes" to any update notices that pop up. And you can choose what to update or not (I always accept all updates). 

Quotewhat program would you recommend me download for anti-spyware/anti-virus, driver updater and defragmenter?

Don't bother because:...
1. Linux doesn't fragment files (mentioned above),
2. updates are always from the Ubuntu repositories (so guaranteed to be virus/spyware free).  If you are in the habit of forwarding compromised Windows files to people then you might like to use anti-virus s/w to preserve your reputation.  It's available. 
3. the updater is built-in to Linux

QuoteI would like to be able to keep if I can, RPG Maker VX Ace

If you install WINE (WINdows Emulator) you can run this.  See https://everythingisamiracleblog.wordpress.com/2018/07/26/how-to-use-rpg-maker-vx-ace-on-linux-ubuntu/

Quotethe SSD I am wanting to buy will be approx 250GB,

SSDs are noticeably faster than HDDs but there is some evidence that they do lose some bits.  Mine has several bad blocks and I am considering reverting to a HDD as I don't really need the speed.  The Mad Penguin (the Forum Manager) might comment on this later.


Keith

Re Brian's comment about the Ubuntu Desktop:  the default desktop, called "Unity", is based on large icons.  I don't know anyone who likes it, but you can change it very easily to "Classic view" which uses simple menus and is very intuitive, so you don't have to use a different version of Linux just to get a good desktop. 
The Ubuntu desktop can be changed only after installation, but I'm confident you'll prefer Classic View.  And I feel that there is more help available for Ubuntu than other flavours.

Keith

Hello Helen - and welcome to the Forum.

There are many versions of Linux to choose from, each with their own advantages depending upon the individual user's needs. 
I think most Linux users would agree that someone new to Linux would be best advised to choose a version that is best supported, even if that has much more than you need.  Ubuntu fits the bill as many other versions are actually cut-down versions of Ubuntu and with their own appearance and layout. 
Ubuntu is very stable and very resistant to viruses due to the way it was designed - unlike Windows that was designed before viruses and hacking were thought of.  Indeed, most Linux users don't bother with firewalls or antivirus software, although they are available. 
As for downloading doubtful applications:  you are right to be careful.  Ubuntu (and the others) come with a "software centre" where you will find a wealth of applications that are free to install, and the installation is very easy. 

Do you guys have software options for:
- word processor similar to openoffice?  LibreOffice comes as standard in Ubuntu.  A reliable version of Open Office
- something similar to krita for drawing?  LibreOffice has a drawing application
- something similar to magicavoxel?     I believe there is a Linux version of magicavoxel
- a screen recorder?      These are available e.g vokoscreen
- a video editor?    There are many free ones available. See e.g. https://itsfoss.com/best-video-editing-software-linux/

Obviously I know it is going to mean learning totally different software and a completely foreign operating system,
         Actually, you will find it very intuitive and very like windows.
I highly doubt that .exe files will run on anything but windows,.  Well, it possible using a Windows emulator but why would you need to?

Best of all, you can create a "Live USB" that contains a complete Linux operating system of your choice and runs from the USB (or DVD).  You can use this to experiment and see if you like it, and then install it if you want to, either alongside Windows or in place of it.

Advice and assistance is always available on several Linux Forums, such as this one, and I expect several other Members will encourage you to take the plunge.
Welcome to Linux.

Keith

There is always the the expensive option of employing a specialist data recovery company - it depends on how valuable the file information is to you.

Keith

It certainly doesn't look promising.  Good luck with the "hirens" - it's beyond me - and it might be your best bet for retrieving files.
If you can't bear to lose the files then there are companies that specialise in file retrieval, although the cost might not be trivial.

I web-searched for "companies retrieve files from broken hard drives" and found lots of DIY advice and specialist companies, so you might get some ideas there if all else fails. 

Keith

Quoteif i install some as root and others not as root - does this make any difference in the subsequent layout and ownership

Not to the layout, but installing using sudo is safer as commands issued as root can have devastating consequences if you make an error. 
And yes: ownership depends on who is installing - you or root.

Keith

Thanks for that.
It looks OK, although my German is a bit rusty.  The only potential problem that I noticed was the warning "QStandardPaths: wrong ownership on runtime directory /run/user/1000, 1000 instead of 0".  I seem to remember that user number is usually 1000 in Ubuntu-based operating systems, but I'm no expert. 

Since your system is 64-bit, I suggest that you install 64-bit Vivaldi using one of the links suggested previously. 
I am familiar with neither MX nor Vivaldi so I can't offer any more advice, except that you might receive better help from an MX forum such as https://forum.mxlinux.org/.  I hope you are more successful. 


Keith

It's always good practice to issuesudo ap updatebefore sudo apt upgradeI didn't see any code in your codeshare link.

The link in David's post looks very promising and is worth a try. 
Alternatively, there are very good instructions for downloading and installing 64 bit Vivaldi here: https://www.atechtown.com/install-vivaldi-browser-on-linux/
By the way, can you remind us what your operating system is? 

Keith

Hello David - and welcome to the Forum.

First off:  please tell us about your Linux system - as much as possible:   it's best to prepare for posting by reading https://linuxforums.org.uk/index.php?board=209.0 where you will find much useful info that will help people to advise you.  You will find also on the Forum page a link to Forum Rules - please read that also. 

As I understand it, EFI is platform independent so ought to be readable, but I'm no expert.
If you are attaching the offending HDD to your computer as an external device, then try this in a terminal to see if the system can see it:df -h | grep "media"If that shows your attached drive, then change to the directory listed ("/media/david/...." or whatever) and issue the commandls -lhPlease copy/paste the output in your reply. 

Keith

David 

Excuse my ignorance!  Thanks for correcting me. 

Keith

Your output does say that i386 architecture is not supported and it seems that "VIVALDI does not exist in the arch linux official repo (pacman) but it does exist unofficial arch repo ".  Have a look at https://forum.vivaldi.net/topic/52257/vivaldi-does-not-exist-in-arch-linux-official-repo-pacman-but-it-does-in-unofficial-arch-repo-aur for more information.

Keith

Hi Mike.

I'm glad that you are pleased with your new system - and didn't have to buy new PSU. 
We look forward with interest to hear the outcome of your mouse experiment.

Keith

Hi Dexxin - and welcome to the Forum.

Quotehave had this exact set up before and never ever had an issue

Do you mean on this computer with this operating system? 

Please list the contents of /etc/openvpn. 

Keith