#linux

The original OS was WinXP which has serious issues with performance. Checked with process explorer that DPC's (deferred procedure calls) were taking 50% CPU right after booting, so that even icons would not show on the desktop. Removed firewall, did a reinstall on top of the old one. Removed all services, no help. Formatted the drive, reinstalled from scratch, Same problems even on a fresh WinXP - 50% DPC's, couldn't use internal touchpad mouse or keyboard. Kernel profiles said only that HAL (hardware abstraction layer) was using most of the CPU time but nothing more specific.

Installed Ubuntu 9.04 from an install CD, seemed to work without problems. Added the medibuntu repository to install VLC, skype and google earth. Also installed ScummVM and Wine. Wine accepted Spotify and Mediacoder just fine. Gave the paper user manual of Ubuntu along with the working laptop back to the friend.

A big thanks to http://www.sange.fi/ for printing the Ubuntu manuals and install CD's!

@Neva Nicely done. :) Gonna update my desktop soon to 9.10. Gotta love Ubuntu. :)

The X crash when configuring external displays is pretty annoying, only way to connect to a beamer is by rebooting while it is attached

@bergie Restarting X server should be enough. At least Ctrl+Alt+Backspace works with NVidia cards.

@piotras Ctrl-Alt-Backspace doesn't help on my HP netbook at least. I can get a virtual terminal, but if I kill X from there all the GNOME settings get messed up. That is why rebooting was better.

Anyway, this is an issue that appeared in some recent packages, before that this worked also in 9.10.