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AR15.COM
3/3/2016 3:00:37 PM EDT
I have a desktop that we use for the kids. Its running vista and has some quirks like the monitor not going to standby. I suspect its the wireless mouse / keyboard driver.

Anyways I was thinking about putting ubuntu on it. How is ubuntu for drivers etc? Printers, usb wifi etc?
3/3/2016 3:11:04 PM EDT
[#1]

Modern versions are pretty good, especially for older hardware.

Having said that, buntu went to the unity interface a while back, so unless you LOVE windows 10, I would go with a different distro.

My personal fave right now is Mint.

Download the correct version for your HW and then burn an ISO DVD and you can boot from that to test all the hardware, you don't even have to install to test it, there is an option at boot up to try the OS without installing it.

Welcome to freedom.
3/4/2016 12:23:31 AM EDT
[#2]
Look up a $30 raspberry pi. Then put your favorite distro on it. Best part of that is just swap a micro sd card and bit to a game emulator, or a media center, or a home automation....
3/4/2016 12:30:34 AM EDT
[#3]
Got it loaded but having some trouble getting a brother mfc printer working. Any tips? I found some forum articles on loading drivers etc but it didn't work.
3/4/2016 9:30:14 AM EDT
[#4]
Direct attached or network?
What error are you getting?
What does the logs say?
Is your port already in use?

Everything in Unix is a file.
3/4/2016 9:43:06 AM EDT
[#5]
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Quoted:
Direct attached or network?
What error are you getting?
What does the logs say?
Is your port already in use?

Everything in Unix is a file.
View Quote


Its wifi. It finds the printer, recommends generic drivers which don't work.
3/4/2016 10:05:24 AM EDT
[#6]
What is the exact error?
Screen shot?
What do your /var/log/messages say when you try to add?
3/5/2016 2:51:25 AM EDT
[#7]
What is your comfort level? Even the newer distros can have steep learning curves.  I can get you legitimate windows 7 key for very cheap.
3/5/2016 4:34:23 PM EDT
[#8]
At this point I believe the printer drivers are loaded but it doesn't no where to find it. It's on my network, but not sure how to point Ubuntu to its IP address
3/6/2016 11:20:44 AM EDT
[#9]
Go to Linux-drivers.org click printers and scanner scroll down to Brother Linux drivers and click Downloads and click through the options till you find your exact printer model.  Choose the (deb) and download.  When you open the download, the installer should recognize the deb package and install it.
3/6/2016 4:37:57 PM EDT
[#10]

In Mint I just go to System/Administration/Printers and select Network Printer and then Find Network Printer

3/6/2016 9:42:11 PM EDT
[#11]
Run linux mint instead of ubuntu in my opinion.
3/6/2016 9:54:13 PM EDT
[#12]
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Quoted:
Run linux mint instead of ubuntu in my opinion.
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How do they compare? What about cinnamon vs mate?
3/6/2016 11:02:55 PM EDT
[#13]
Stop trying to use cups and add it from the command line.

Check out this page, info is accurate
3/7/2016 10:04:37 AM EDT
[#14]
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Quoted:
Stop trying to use cups and add it from the command line.

Check out this page, info is accurate
View Quote


Ah yes...the command line.

If you go that route, just be sure to read the destructions and try to understand what is happening and not just cut and paste and pray for rain.

And I still vote for mint.
3/7/2016 11:47:37 AM EDT
[#15]
You can't mess it up with the CLI. Worst case you just remove it and start again
3/7/2016 12:37:36 PM EDT
[#16]

You might also check to make sure you are assigned to the printer group, lpadmin IIRC.
3/7/2016 1:31:46 PM EDT
[#17]

Quote History
Quoted:


You can't mess it up with the CLI. Worst case you just remove it and start again
View Quote


Famous last words when dealing with a Linux/UNIX command line :-)



 
3/7/2016 3:13:53 PM EDT
[#18]
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Quoted:

Famous last words when dealing with a Linux/UNIX command line :-)
 
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
You can't mess it up with the CLI. Worst case you just remove it and start again

Famous last words when dealing with a Linux/UNIX command line :-)
 



Everything in Unix is a file.
Therefore Unix IS easy!
3/7/2016 3:13:58 PM EDT
[#19]
Not familiar with mate. i run cinnamon. Some of the GUI stuff is really personal preference. I just dislike unity as it's not well laid out for me.