I have got a question for all the #tech people out there with experience regarding #hp and #Linux
#Windows11 is being rolled out and I probably will have to set up my Laptop again. Never used #Linux on a PC, so how about:
Do #Linux distributions support HP omen 17 (2019) ?
If so, which one would you recommend for chiefly MS Office use (64-bit Excel a must) ?
How difficult is a set-up for a non-IT pro who has always worked with Windows (but installed systems)?
I hope I don't lose any of the helpful new contacts who responded to my initial question by adding something I found from 4 (!)years ago re/ my PC:
"utsukushii_rei
I'd advise against hp laptops if you can find an alternative it would be much more simple of an install process. Gaming motherboards by themselves have been known to have excessive bios/uefi settings...
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"...that make the install process exponentially more difficult and tiresome. Not only that, but HP has it's own quarks to it. Such as optane memory management, IRST and various proprietary options that need to be disabled while trying to install Linux"
This sounds very serious to me, however, it was 4 years ago - a lifetime, even for BIOS/OS related issues.
Thoughts?
Linux distributions in my experience have supported all hardware I've used with it. NVIDIA graphics cards sometimes don't play nice due to drivers but in general your laptop should be supported. In regards to which distribution generally Ubuntu would be a good choice, I've also heard that Zorin OS is pretty good when moving over from windows and should feel a bit more familiar. Linux Mint could also be a good pick. In general most of the major distributions will work out fine.
In regards to Office I think you might be out of luck. Would the web version be sufficient for you? I personally have moved from MS office to ONLYOFFICE full time. Its quite similar and might not have all the features but its sufficient for me. There are other options like LibreOffice as well.
As you say if you've installed many other systems before this should be quite easy. You just need to download your chosen distributions iso and create a bootable USB in a program such and Rufus or balenaEtcher and just follow the installation process once you boot in.
Thanks for the very detailed thread.
"In regards to Office I think you might be out of luck. "
Are you saying that MS Office 365 (64-bit) will not run on #linux.
I have been using the 2019 version of Excel since its ß-version for performance reasons (and often don't have enough).
This is a k.o. criterion for me. :(
There it probably a very hacky way of doing it through a compatibility layer like wine but I doubt it would be either easy or stable. Have you thought about using windows as a VM within Linux and using it that way? Otherwise unfortunately then it wouldn't be a fit for you.
Thanks for your reply.
The VM idea is feasible. I am presently doing it on a Windows PC, while the Omen is supposed to be being repaired. However, this reduces performance, as memory is shared, etc.
If I have the VM(ware) on Linux instead of Win10 or 11, what would I have as benefits?
Well you would have the advantage of privacy/security as your host system in Linux so would send far less telemetry data if any at all. Also no more windows updates being shoved at you or restarting your computer in the middle of work. I'm sure you'd also learn a lot to. Its always good to have options.
I get that point, which is what I had hoped for to switch.
However, I would still be working on a "Windows PC," though a virtual one, as I work with MS O365 must of the time, apart from the browser and some other app's for editing pictures, pdf's, etc., but that is just "cosmetics."
I am not a security pro, but my VM would still be hooked up to the WWW, so what is the (security/privacy) difference - apart from that I can more easily reset the PC to an earlier state?
Also, you still..
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...slave away (I can't say it any other way anymore...too many of them) with the MS Updates.
Yeah if Office is that necessary there is only so much you can do to isolate yourself from windows without getting overly technical. The VM is only connected to the internet if you have it on and the network connection enabled in your VM software's settings.
True, but then, there is Outlook within it, and I have to research quite a bit, too, so I am "mostly" "always on".
Ah, this is sad. Excel is the lead chain. :(
OK, will have to look into creating a Windows boot stick then to re-access my files before the RMA.
Wonder, if I can use the Balena.Etcher for this, too, instead of using the customary Windows Media Creation Tool...?
What is kvm pls?
(I have always used Windows and need the high-performance 64-bit Excel Version.)
@karlggestd @pyarra
Excellent, so I wouldn't have to set up a completely new VM but could convert it to a #Linux #KVM. 
Hi, does the HP omen 17 have a usb port? Do you have a USB stick? You can try several OS very easily. For example: https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/try-ubuntu-before-you-install#1-getting-started
I am assuming you know about #libreOffice and office365 (online) but you still want to run excel on Linux. you either need to use a compatible layer thing called #wine or #crossoversoftware for Linux not sure which.
@amunizp @Linux4Everyone @linux
It has at least two USB ports: one even 3.1, if I remember correctly.
Yes, re/ #LibreOffice and #OfficeOnline - no re/ compatibility and performance.
Excellent.
Just cleaned a stick. Will try your 1st suggestion now.
@amunizp
I am going for the most recommended https://etcher.balena.io
ETCHER FOR LINUX X64 (64-BIT) (APPIMAGE)
LINUX
X64
ok, at stick of at least 12 GB is required. Had to switch.
Also, OMENs are not certified for #Ubuntu, will try anyway:
https://activism.openworlds.info/@barb/110511082893469616
@Linux4Everyone @linux
Ok. The installation on the stick is completed.
I put the stick in the target system (HP) and did not mess with any further settings, but pressed Try Ubuntu (first option).
Then, I selected the colorful (:)) option "Try Ubuntu" (without installation)
The system did start and looks sort of like a windows 1.0 desktop, but in white on bright yellow, almost unreadable.
Thoughts?
Was able to power down the system using the #ApplicationLauncherSearch, but the color settings need to be fixed.
https://vitux.com/3-ways-to-shut-down-power-off-your-ubuntu-system/
Does this have to be done via BIOS settings before booting? Once the system starts, I can hardly see a thing, got lucky with the launcher.
@amunizp @Linux4Everyone @linux
Too bad, as I was thinking, #BIOS errors with the #Ubuntu #Linux #bootstick.
Any 
ideas which settings would need to be changed?
![On-screen error message while booting from #Ubuntu stick:
"0.290675) x86/cpu: SGX disabled by BIOS.
E
0.293101] ACPI BIOS Error (bug): Could not resolve symbol (\_SB.PCIO.I2C2.T
PDO) , AE_NOT_ FOUND (20220991/dswload2-162)
0.293109) ACPI ErOr: AE_NOT_FOUND, During name lookup/catalog (20220331/ps
object-220)
0.293154) ACPI BIOS Error (bug): Could not resolve symbol [\_SB.PCI0.12C3.T
t
PL1], AE_NOT_FOUND (20220931/dswload2-162)
0.293198) ACPI Error: AE_NOT_FOUND, During name lookup/catalog (20220331/ps
object-220)"](https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/110/511/320/189/971/340/original/a6c4de1f75c3241e.jpg)
@HistoPol
https://www.infofuge.com/hp-omen-17-ubuntu/
Not an HP owner or user. So Googled, and it seems the process is straightforward.
#linuxmint builds on #ubuntu, and is a leading install and forget distribution which is also a good starting point for newcomers.
That said, not clear on how you got the BIOS errors. Could you walkthrough to it please?
Not sure if I understood everything. I created the USB bootstick with the latest 5yr "warranty" versión.
Then, I reebooted and selected the 1st option: start or install.
I then selected boot from USB.
Then I got the BIOS Error screen for some second.
After that, the yellow screen from the UEL below, but with white instead of green.
Note: I've never seen a working #Linux desktop.
@HistoPol
Ubuntu is asking to enable sgx, which can be done as explained in the answers here https://askubuntu.com/questions/1406760/sgx-disabled-by-bios-in-ubuntu-22-04
Enter BIOS, go to security section, set the Intel software guard extension option to enabled -- from the top voted answer
The accepted answer explains a workaround. The catch being that watching 4K Blu-ray will be impossible.
@vipaal @amunizp @Linux4Everyone @linux
I refrain from asking why.
I am thankful for the solution path. Will try it tomorrow.
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Sooo...,
I have succeeded in using your "SGX to "enable" pretty quickly.
Still, same errors and the yellow UBUNTU.
I then saw that there is another boot option with "safe graphics", which I used. And (partial) "bingo": I finally got a boot, but still the same disturbing BIOS errors.
The System then booted in a "safe mode" with 1024x768 resolution.
I found where I could (theoretically) change this, but as it is "safe mode"--...
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...-no changes possible.
I then Powered Off the system and it hung in several error lines. - Too risky for me and the 1024x768 is unusable nowadays.
So, final verdict: OMEN is incompatible with UBUNTU, at least.
Also, I tried to use the Boot Stick on my old ASUS. I did add the USBdrive as 1st boot priority. However, the Laptop does not recognize any bootable OS at all.
I therefore giv
@vipaal @amunizp @Linux4Everyone @linux
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...e up on UBUNTU and use the flash drive to generate a windows bootstick. Too bad.
But thanks again.
@HistoPol
Unfortunate to see hurdles thrown in the way to install a Linux based OS by manufacturers, though not quite surprising.
If the desire to try remains in you, please reach out to the local Linux users group #lug and ask if one of the members could spare a couple of hours with you. Many old timers would be glad to help. Might even bring back their memories of install fests.
https://www.infofuge.com/hp-omen-17-ubuntu/ there is hope to succeed in installing #ubuntu. Since as you said earlier that this is your first time outside of Windows there may be some loss in translation.
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Thank you very much for your help and your kind words in particular.
I might try again later on, but for now, I need to get my PC moving again.
Strange that it did not work out with the old ASUS laptop either.
I will bookmark this post to be able to get back to it.
Funny enough, creating the Win10 bootstick was a piece of cake (as well) and the installation went smoothly (apart from the "1 m." updates and restarts).
Strange, with the...
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...original stick I had purchased, I could never re-install it due to partition incompatibilities. Not with the new one.
Well, this is solved for now.
I can now figure out which modules are which and send the OMEN back to HP once again.
PS:
Funny that it DOES seem possible to install Ubuntu on an OMEN-17 after all.
I quickly read through the steps and recognized them.
Of course, I did not press install but went for the direct boot from stick.
In any event, my feeling now is that what the machine says is correct: there is a problem with MY BIOS.
As I took pics, I will send them to HP as well.
"Something is rotten in the State of Denmark" (again). ;)
@HistoPol
This colour thing is interesting.
Is this the thing? https://askubuntu.com/questions/1404516/screen-turns-yellow-even-using-the-live-option-ubuntu-22-04
@HistoPol
Because you are only testing maybe use an older distribution for #Ubuntu LTS?
OR
Sudo warning: https://heimdalsecurity.com/blog/watch-out-you-might-get-hacked-when-copy-pasting-commands-from-webpages/
The answer says to enable Wayland. But does not say where to put those commands: Ctrl+Alt+T will open a terminal (command prompt-ish). The first line will open a hacker-like text editor. Do the edit and a menu in the bottom tells you how to save and close. "^" is ctrl key. Nano (the text editor) is made for computers without mice.
@ubuntu @Linux4Everyone @linux
Yes, exactly, but with no green but white instead (even worse contrast).
I read the link now:
"
I managed to solve the problem, I had to set the monitor calibration in Settings/Color and set sRGB as default for both monitors."
Will not work for me as I cannot see a think w/ white on yellow. The power-down button was puré luck.
Also, this us a laptop monitor, no #display buttons, etc.
IMO sth. would..
@amunizp @ubuntu @Linux4Everyone @linux
...need to be reset in the BIOS, though what, no idea whatsoever.
@HistoPol
OK. You still have your windows working as it was?
With liveUSB nothing should happen but good practice always says to make backups.
There are several LTS (long term support) that slightly overlap in years you can upgrade from one to the next.
You can try another distribution like #linuxmint Or #fedora .
This is what default Ubuntu looks like:
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=ubuntu+desktop&t=fpas&iax=images&ia=images
Default fedora:
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=fedora+desktop&t=fpas&iar=images&iax=images&ia=images
Default mint:
https://linuxmint.com/screenshots.php
@amunizp @ubuntu @Linux4Everyone @linux
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Thanks will look at this tomorrow.
No, the PC had (!) already not been working anymore b/c some smart-ass HP support technician thought it necessary to update the BIOS as a 1st step in finding about why the replaced battery did not work longer than only 45 min. Now, the PC doesn't find a bookable OS on the 2 upgrade SSD's anymore, that had been working nicely for several years. What he should...
@amunizp @ubuntu @Linux4Everyone @linux
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...have done, is to check and reset the max #BatteryCapacity, a manager from a specialist battery company informed me recently. The content on the upgrade SSDs is still unchanged, though.
@HistoPol
Not sure what Omens and the news article have to do?
@Linux4Everyone @linux
@HistoPol You will not be able to get MS Office working properly on Linux, your options are either running an older version (I think 2005 is the version that works fully through Wine), or sticking only to the Web version of Office 365. There are mature and powerful office suites on Linux, the best for compatibility is OnlyOffice however if you use a lot of newer excel features, macros, power query, vba etc this will not function.
@HistoPol if MS Office/Excel is a must for you, your best hope is either to dual boot with Windows (difficult to set up for new user and fraught with pitfalls) or run Windows through a VM, which will come with a performance sacrifice if you have low ram/processor power.
@HistoPol compatibility with HP laptops is probably fine, installing a Linux distro is very easy now. There is a learning curve with the switch but stick to something well documented and with a large community and you should be fine if you run into trouble. I'd advise downloading virtual box and testing linux in a VM for a few weeks while you decide if you really want to switch, and get an idea of the compromises you're willing to make on software.
@HistoPol if you want a recommendation for a distro for a total new user I'd suggest Linux Mint.
@HistoPol addendum - have seen some evidence of office 2013 working well on linux, and office 2016 running... Ok. You would need to use the 32bit versions.
@HistoPol Nvidia support on linux notoriously sucks. Pop OS seems to have solved it somewhat but you're safer running AMD graphics.
That is a clear statement re/ Excel. Thank you.
So, as I need the high-performance current 64-bit Excel Version incl. PowerQuery etc., Linux is a no go at present.
BTW, with all the #AI integrations being developed/used already, this kind of use-case percentage is bound to increase sharply, whereas at present, I am an outlier.
@HistoPol for a standard user linux desktop is great, stable, fast, infinitely customisable. It can do anything that 90% of desktop users ever need. Can't recommend it enough over windows. The big caveat though is if you absolutely must use the full Office desktop suite or Adobe applications, then Linux is sadly not for you.