Inspiron 7405 2-in-1 about 4-5 years old. I know how to load Linux, Have done many times on three different laptops. I have run Linux Mint for several years on this laptop. But it started to freeze up. I put it back on and it ran a short time then froze up again. I tried to install ubuntu and it would not start at all. I’ve done 4 repairs to go back to pure Win10, nothing works. So, I’m thinking this model laptop is being left behind. So, I need suggestions on one of the other “Flavors” of ubuntu to try, or someone to say, oh yes, this is the problem as you ought to be able to put on any version of ubuntu or Mint because you once had it running, they should run. I did see that after wipe of win10 I had to turn off BitLocker.
Well -
Not much info to make an informed recommendation …
But - Ya got the hosses to run a top-a-the- line release ?
Recommended Minimum System Requirements
Terminal command:
free -m will tell a small tale.
-A start to help-
If no system works, it may be a hardware issue. What version of Ubuntu have you tried? You can experiment with several of these to see what you like.
https://ubuntu.com/download/flavours
Light weight flavors:
Lubuntu, Xubuntu, Ubuntu MATE, Budgie
Flavors of Ubuntu only come with three years of supported life (five years applies to Ubuntu Desktop, Ubuntu Server but not flavors)
I use Kubuntu for both newer & older system.
If you still have some version of Linux on the machine then this will show us more comprehensive information about the system and hardware:
inxi -Fxz
Please post the output and wrap with the Preformatted text option from the toolbar for easier reading.
As far as more lightweight options for older machines, in addition to what was mentioned, you could also consider Bodhi Linux.
It is Ubuntu based but with a custom desktop. I have it running smoothly on a very old Intel Atom 1GB netbook.
Like I noted in OP, No linux will load, and if it did, which was Mint, it froze up. I had it Dual Boot, I restored win10 4 times. It’s like my system is being left being by linux updates. I am not a programmer, but I have been dual booting onto my machine for years on 4 different machines. I tried dual boot and full install.
I used the ubuntu for ubuntu Desktop and Mint variant. Both were on USB’s that installed previously. Then I downloaded them again onto USB. Win 10 runs fine. I know the Flavors, want advice on which will be best to the least for older laptops, all i do is online, social media, etc. nothing exotic. Anything that will get linux back on, I hate Win. I tried dual boot and full install.
As I mentioned, I use Kubuntu and have it on Desktop and an external SSD. I have used external SSD for both a very old laptop and newer Dell with 11th Gen Intel. Started using external SSD when Dell erased my dual boot and found external SSD almost as fast as internal SSD is. Since you have booted with Windows, did it update UEFI? And UEFI update may reset UEFI parameters that you need to redo. Some older Dell need legacy (BIOS) boot on, but you still booted in UEFI mode. New Dell since about 2020 are UEFI only. Check UEFI if updated and check settings in UEFI. And if SSD make sure its firmware is also updated.
total used free shared buff/cache available
Mem: 7298 2602 1461 32 3581 4695
Swap: 2047 0 2047
I did another wipe and reinstall of Win11, shut off bitlocker, updated drivers and updates for dell, have manged to get dual boot with Mint. Until it freezes again.
As I mentioned in post 3, it would be useful to see system information.
If the package is not installed by default you can install it with
sudo apt install inxi