I want to install linux on a acer travelmate p645-s

Heyo guys,

 

So my sister has an acer travelmate p645-s, and I am wondering what linux would work on this laptop?   We tried to install Ubuntu cause it's what my sister wanted and it just kept looping.

 

She really wants linux on her laptop that is good for a little like gaming.

 

I was able to get kali on my personal laptop, easy as and that is an acer too, but different model, but we cannot seem to figure out what linux would work on her acer travelmate p645-s.  It's been a little head ache and we have only tried one linux version.

If the system firmware hasn't been updated since its release or purchase, then do so.  According to Acer's support website the most current version is from 2018 carrying the microcode mitigations for the initial Meltdown & Spectre hardware vulnerabilities in the laptop's CPU.  I wouldn't worry too much about Spectre for various reasons that I won't go into on this forum.  But, it neatly wraps up all the accumulated firmware fixes and workarounds for hardware bugs into one final release, and that's what you want.  Ubuntu will load subsequent microcode versions anyway during its boot process.

 

Most PCs, even ones from 2015, no longer need MSDOS/Windows to update the system firmware.  Just load the update image file (extracted from the .zip archive! NOT the archive itself!) on a FAT32 formatted USB flash drive, insert the flash drive in the laptop's USB port, hit the key sequence needed to enter the firmware setup screen or the one that directly initiates the firmware update function during boot, and go from there.

 

I personally use Debian, but Ubuntu isn't a bad choice for those not familiar with Unix-type systems and Linux in particular.  A note of caution.  If you're loading Ubuntu for a neophyte, don't use a non LTS version.  They should have the current LTS version, in this case 22.04.x.  23.XX are the test releases and aren't considered appropriate for daily use by those not testing the software and reporting bugs back to Canonical.  24.04 will be the next LTS release due out around April.  It's usually a straightforward process to upgrade from one LTS to the next without major hiccups.  The built-in updater will usually wait some months for LTS.1 to be released before it'll prompt to update on already existing LTS installations to be sure the LTS has shook down and most major bugs have been squashed.  I think it's remarkably sane in that way.

Edited by h_b_s, 09 January 2024 - 04:48 AM.

This should be your sisters laptop

 

Edited by Condobloke, 09 January 2024 - 04:58 AM.

. . . an acer travelmate p645-s . . . tried to install Ubuntu . . . it just kept looping.

@ Beanslappers

Hello there.

I would suggest to you that you follow h_b_s's advice, and upgrade the BIOS to the latest version.

It is important that the latest firmware for the laptop is installed, before you install Linux.

CAUTION:  Make sure that you are using the correct BIOS upgrade from Acer, that is specific to the notebook.

I have an Acer notebook, and I had to do a couple of other things first, before Xubuntu would install on it.

You may have to set a supervisor password in the BIOS, and then turn off the Intel RST (Rapid Storage Technology) function.

The notebook may need to use AHCI (Advanced Host Controller Interface) to allow Linux to access the hard drive.

You may also have to turn off "Secure Boot" in the BIOS, as well.

After completing the installation, you should also add the efi boot file to the BIOS boot order, so that the bootstrap knows where to look for it.

This link in the tutorial section may be of some help to you:

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/739875/how-to-install-ubuntu-on-an-acer-aspire-3-laptop/

 

If you are going to erase Windows, then you can ignore the section on resizing the hard drive.  Ubuntu will then format the entire disk.

 

There should also be an option in the installation procedure to just format the Windows partition, and leave the Acer recovery section intact.  That will allow you to reinstall Windows at a later date.

 

Cheers!

 

Naught

If the system firmware hasn't been updated since its release or purchase, then do so.  According to Acer's support website the most current version is from 2018 carrying the microcode mitigations for the initial Meltdown & Spectre hardware vulnerabilities in the laptop's CPU.  I wouldn't worry too much about Spectre for various reasons that I won't go into on this forum.  But, it neatly wraps up all the accumulated firmware fixes and workarounds for hardware bugs into one final release, and that's what you want.  Ubuntu will load subsequent microcode versions anyway during its boot process.

 

Most PCs, even ones from 2015, no longer need MSDOS/Windows to update the system firmware.  Just load the update image file (extracted from the .zip archive! NOT the archive itself!) on a FAT32 formatted USB flash drive, insert the flash drive in the laptop's USB port, hit the key sequence needed to enter the firmware setup screen or the one that directly initiates the firmware update function during boot, and go from there.

 

I personally use Debian, but Ubuntu isn't a bad choice for those not familiar with Unix-type systems and Linux in particular.  A note of caution.  If you're loading Ubuntu for a neophyte, don't use a non LTS version.  They should have the current LTS version, in this case 22.04.x.  23.XX are the test releases and aren't considered appropriate for daily use by those not testing the software and reporting bugs back to Canonical.  24.04 will be the next LTS release due out around April.  It's usually a straightforward process to upgrade from one LTS to the next without major hiccups.  The built-in updater will usually wait some months for LTS.1 to be released before it'll prompt to update on already existing LTS installations to be sure the LTS has shook down and most major bugs have been squashed.  I think it's remarkably sane in that way.

 

 

Good morning,

 

Yes the bios is already on the latest version.  That was the first thing I checked before attempting to install ubuntu on her laptop when she got it.

I personally use Kali Purple on my laptop and windows 11 pro on my desktop (cause I game a lot too, and a few games that I play linux seems to not be able to like hoyo games, or I would change to linux on my PC too.)

My sister has a windows 11 pro on her desktop and windows 10 pro on her laptop, but she wants linux on her laptop (she see's how much fun I have on linux too and that I say in a lot of  case's linux is better). 

 

This should be your sisters laptop

 

Processor

Intel Core i5-5200U 2 x 2.2 - 2.7 GHz, Broadwell

Graphics adapter

Intel HD Graphics 5500, Core: 900 MHz, dual-channel, 10.18.10.3995

Memory

8 GB  

 

 

, DDR3-1600, dual-channel, one memory bank (filled), 4 GB soldered

Display

14.00 inch 16:9, 1920 x 1080 pixel, AU Optronics B140HAN01.1, IPS, glossy: no

Mainboard

 

Intel Broadwell-U PCH-LP (Premium)

Storage  Kingston RBU-SNS8100S3256GD, 256 GB  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What do you mean by :  it just kept looping.

 

She has 8GB of ram.

 

. . . an acer travelmate p645-s . . . tried to install Ubuntu . . . it just kept looping.

@ Beanslappers

Hello there.

I would suggest to you that you follow h_b_s's advice, and upgrade the BIOS to the latest version.

It is important that the latest firmware for the laptop is installed, before you install Linux.

CAUTION:  Make sure that you are using the correct BIOS upgrade from Acer, that is specific to the notebook.

I have an Acer notebook, and I had to do a couple of other things first, before Xubuntu would install on it.

You may have to set a supervisor password in the BIOS, and then turn off the Intel RST (Rapid Storage Technology) function.

The notebook may need to use AHCI (Advanced Host Controller Interface) to allow Linux to access the hard drive.

You may also have to turn off "Secure Boot" in the BIOS, as well.

After completing the installation, you should also add the efi boot file to the BIOS boot order, so that the bootstrap knows where to look for it.

This link in the tutorial section may be of some help to you:

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/739875/how-to-install-ubuntu-on-an-acer-aspire-3-laptop/

 

If you are going to erase Windows, then you can ignore the section on resizing the hard drive.  Ubuntu will then format the entire disk.

 

There should also be an option in the installation procedure to just format the Windows partition, and leave the Acer recovery section intact.  That will allow you to reinstall Windows at a later date.

 

Cheers!

 

Naught

 

Good morning.

 

I didn't think of RTS thank you..

AHCI is already on.

In system info it says that it is off.

Adding the efi boot file??? How?  Doesn't that automatically do it?

 

. . . an acer travelmate p645-s . . . tried to install Ubuntu . . . it just kept looping.

@ Beanslappers

Hello there.

I would suggest to you that you follow h_b_s's advice, and upgrade the BIOS to the latest version.

It is important that the latest firmware for the laptop is installed, before you install Linux.

CAUTION:  Make sure that you are using the correct BIOS upgrade from Acer, that is specific to the notebook.

I have an Acer notebook, and I had to do a couple of other things first, before Xubuntu would install on it.

You may have to set a supervisor password in the BIOS, and then turn off the Intel RST (Rapid Storage Technology) function.

The notebook may need to use AHCI (Advanced Host Controller Interface) to allow Linux to access the hard drive.

You may also have to turn off "Secure Boot" in the BIOS, as well.

After completing the installation, you should also add the efi boot file to the BIOS boot order, so that the bootstrap knows where to look for it.

This link in the tutorial section may be of some help to you:

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/739875/how-to-install-ubuntu-on-an-acer-aspire-3-laptop/

 

If you are going to erase Windows, then you can ignore the section on resizing the hard drive.  Ubuntu will then format the entire disk.

 

There should also be an option in the installation procedure to just format the Windows partition, and leave the Acer recovery section intact.  That will allow you to reinstall Windows at a later date.

 

Cheers!

 

Naught

 

 

 

I'll look in to https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/739875/how-to-install-ubuntu-on-an-acer-aspire-3-laptop/ now.

Why are you using kali and not another distro designed for desktop use?

Why are you using kali and not another distro designed for desktop use?

Why do you need to know why I am using kali?  Also maybe you should re read that part because its not on my desktop lol.

Heyo guys,
 
In this https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/739875/how-to-install-ubuntu-on-an-acer-aspire-3-laptop/ wrong laptop anyway but I did look in the bios:
 

I cannot upload any images because I am restricted to and cannot share links but there is no not settings in the bios that allows me to change what is says for clean install.

You should only be using Kali in a virtual machine or booted from ysb and not installed. You can use another distro for your daily driver on both your desktop and laptop.

As for this laptop you'll be better off using one with a light weight distro with xfce, mate, lxde, or any other derivative if them or maybe bunsenlabs as Gnome or Cinnamon maybe to much for your Intel 5500 Intel video card.

Also there will be nothing in the bios that gas anything to do with a clean install. A clean install involves wiping the partition or formatting it amd clicking install from a booted USB or DVD installer.

Edited by cryptodan, 09 January 2024 - 02:36 PM.

You should only be using Kali in a virtual machine or booted from ysb and not installed. You can use another distro for your daily driver on both your desktop and laptop.

As for this laptop you'll be better off using one with a light weight distro with xfce, mate, lxde, or any other derivative if them or maybe bunsenlabs as Gnome or Cinnamon maybe to much for your Intel 5500 Intel video card.

Also there will be nothing in the bios that gas anything to do with a clean install. A clean install involves wiping the partition or formatting it amd clicking install from a booted USB or DVD installer.

 

 

Maybe your missing them point here are a few I will make to you:

1) What I do with my personal laptop is my business, if I want kali on my laptop, I will have it  on my laptop, you do not need to know why I have it, not why I had a laptop only for it.

2) We are not talking about my laptop, we are talking about my sisters laptop go back and read the main topic.

And last point:

3) If you have nothing to contribute to the original topic, then kindly sod off. Any more off topic and I will not be replying.  Stay focused.

Go back and reread my post, I submitted 2 contributions to help you get Linux on this laptop, and provided recommendations for Desktop Environment.

 

I know how to use Kali, and its not meant to be a daily driver or installed for daily use.  I should know look at my signature.

Maybe you forgotten the original post:

 

 

Heyo guys,

 

So my sister has an acer travelmate p645-s, and I am wondering what linux would work on this laptop?   We tried to install Ubuntu cause it's what my sister wanted and it just kept looping.

 

She really wants linux on her laptop that is good for a little like gaming.

 

I was able to get kali on my personal laptop, easy as and that is an acer too, but different model, but we cannot seem to figure out what linux would work on her acer travelmate p645-s.  It's been a little head ache and we have only tried one linux version.

 

 

Noticed how I said that my sister wants a gaming version of Linux?

So why assume we want to install kali on her laptop?   Going completely off topic now.

Go back and reread my post, I submitted 2 contributions to help you get Linux on this laptop, and provided recommendations for Desktop Environment.

 

I know how to use Kali, and its not meant to be a daily driver or installed for daily use.  I should know look at my signature.

 

 

Also we don't want it on her desktop just her laptop... A GAMING VERSION OF LINUX LIKE UBUNTU, how is this hard for you to understand?  Anything more about kali for her laptop, or whatever and I am just not going to reply to you.

 

Also I did state in the above comments that there was no setting in the bios for one part of it and i cannot uploaded pics here to show.

Edited by Beanslappers, 09 January 2024 - 03:09 PM.