Ubuntu Frequently Asked Questions for Dell Computers
Resumen: This article provides information about the answers to questions such as installation, dual boot, configuration, backup, troubleshooting, and more. The answers are specific to the hardware shipped on Dell computers and the latest Ubuntu Long-Term Support (LTS) distribution. ...
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Dell and Canonical Engineers collaborate every day to certify Dell hardware on Ubuntu, to a level that customers can rely on.
While Dell fully supports the hardware shipped with any of its computers (For the length of your warranty entitlement.) - there are limitations to the software support that it can supply for the Ubuntu operating system.
The answers to the questions below are specific to Dell computers. If the answers do not fully resolve your issue, then we have to direct you to the Canonical and Ubuntu Forums for further Software support. (See the links at the bottom of the page.)
Canonical is the company that created and supplies the various distributions of the Ubuntu Operating System.
Dell is unable to ship OEM Ubuntu computers with the Super key that is enabled on non-Windows operating systems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Installation
Dell has several computers that come from the factory with Ubuntu already installed.
However, if you must reinstall the operating system at any point and cannot recover from your recovery image. The article below takes you through an install, step by step:
- Check here to see if your device has been certified to work with the Ubuntu Operating System
- Upgrading Ubuntu to the latest version?
- Updating the Dell BIOS in Linux and Ubuntu Environments
- Installing Ubuntu on your Dell Computer
- Installing Ubuntu on a Dell Computer configured for United Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) BIOS
- Installing Ubuntu on an OptiPlex Desktop with RAID
Yes, you can install multiple operating systems on the same personal computer if the hardware has the capacity for it. The following article takes you through the install process:
Creating custom partitions is built into the Ubuntu operating system installer. (Live DVD, or USB) The article below takes you through the various steps needed:
The article below goes into some detail on what types of partition are possible in Ubuntu and what they are used for:
Yes, there are several terms, acronyms, and rules particular to Linux and Ubuntu. Some of the most important are explained in the following article:
Configuration
The guides below take you on a tour of the operating system's User Interface (UI). You can access the settings to set up your personal computer as you like it:
- Configure Ubuntu on your Dell Computer
- An Ubuntu Linux Keyboard shortcut Reference Guide for your Dell Computer
- The Dell Command | Configure | Power | Update Utilities Contents Jump Page
- How to add or remove programs and applications on a Dell Computer using the Ubuntu Operating System
- Enabling the onboard microphone using Ubuntu on a Dell Computer
Ubuntu comes with a UI and several applications. However, as with any Linux based distribution a good knowledge of Terminal and its various commands is useful. See the following articles for more information: (Terminal is similar to Command Prompt or PowerShell in Windows.)
There are several wired and wireless network options available in Ubuntu depending on your hardware. Read the following articles to find out more:
Video is largely supported on Ubuntu. However, there are some manufacturers that either have limited or no support for the operating system. Check out the following articles for more information:
Yes, you can access your email messages using several programs. Check the following article for more details:
Yes, you can access any media on CD-ROMs, DVDs, and USB. Check out the following article for more information about the subject:
Peripherals
Almost every peripheral that connects to a Windows computer connects to an Ubuntu computer. The physical connections are identical and most work out of the box. (Similar to Windows Plug and Play.) However, some require additional drivers and applications to fully function. Ubuntu has large repositories of open source and proprietary software for these devices. Check out the following examples:
Backup
Yes, there are programs that are built into Ubuntu that work in the same way as Windows backup would. Check out the following articles for more information:
If your computer came from the Dell factory with Ubuntu installed, then it already has a recovery image as part of the computer. However, if the image is damaged or you have reinstalled the operating system at any point, then you may want to check out these articles:
Troubleshooting
If the computer was shipped with Ubuntu, then the Enhanced Pre-Boot System Assessment (ePSA) diagnostics are installed. They work as they would on any other Dell computer for hardware such as the battery, memory, or hard drive. If you have reinstalled the operating system at any point, then you should ensure that the diagnostics still work. We have an article that talks about the benefits of the ePSA diagnostics in detail:
The guides below take you through using both Terminal and the UI to troubleshoot network issues. You can troubleshoot any connection issues that you may experience using the Ubuntu Operating System:
Additional Information:
Canonical provides software support through the following methods:
Dell provides Technical Support:
Información adicional
Recommended Articles
Here are some recommended articles related to this topic that might be of interest to you.
- How to Install Ubuntu Developer Edition 14.04 on a Dell Computer Configured for the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) BIOS
- Troubleshooting Dell Hardware with Ubuntu on your Dell Desktop or Laptop Computer
- How to Upgrade your Ubuntu Operating System to the Latest Version
- A Guide to Video on Dell Computers with an Ubuntu Operating System
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