So what is the problem. Sometimes, in some programs the display starts acting weird. I'm not sure how to explane. It is not screen taring, no blanking it is like... partial misforming ?
I would recommend Zorin 17 lite with these specs. I think your computer is overloaded with Zorin 18 core.
In Zorin 17 you can use the proprietary nvidia drivers for your nvidia card if you want to (you need to install kernel 5.15 or add kelebek333 ppa).
You could test if it is better when you switch to XOrg. In Zorin lite this is the default, but in Zorin core it is Wayland.
Logout and at login click on your username then a cog wheal appears at the bottom right corner. There select "Zorin Desktop on Xorg".
Do you have a Dualboot with Windows? If yes, please disable fast startup in the energy settings of Windows.
And if your BIOS has the options for secure boot and fast boot, please disable them, too.
I would recommend Zorin 17 lite with these specs. I think your computer is
overloaded with Zorin 18 core.
In Zorin 17 you can use the proprietary nvidia drivers for your nvidia card if
you want to (you need to install kernel 5.15 or add kelebek333 ppa).
Hmmmm I can install Windows 11 on the laptop and everything works as it should. Granted, it is slower but it works without any quircks.
So I expected 18 Core run a but slower but not give any problems.
Anyhow; It took a while but I installed Zorin 17.3 Core and the screen is behaving normally now. It does strikes me as odd. If it worked in 17, clearly some bug has sneaked into the 18 Core ? Maybe I need another Nvidia or chipset driver ?
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You could test if it is better when you switch to XOrg. In Zorin lite this is
the default, but in Zorin core it is Wayland.
Logout and at login click on your username then a cog wheal appears
at the bottom right corner. There select "Zorin Desktop on Xorg".
Ok, tried this on 18 Core. Did not ake any difference.
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Do you have a Dualboot with Windows? If yes, please disable fast startup
in the energy settings of Windows.
Nope, no dual boot here.
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And if your BIOS has the options for secure boot and fast boot,
please disable them, too.
I was nable to find these settings in thye BIOS. I did, just to be sure, restore factory default. Didn't seem to matter.
Older computers work better with older kernels and older Linux Versions, especially those with nvidia cards. On Zorin 17 I'd really recommend to use XOrg with your nvidia card.
I was going to suggest Z17 Core, as I have a similar spec laptop (ancient) but works well with Z17.3 Core for non-intensive tasks.
Also using X11 not Wayland, even though it will run Wayland.
Under Zorin 17.3 Core I just got surprised by screen glitsches in pulldown menu's.
Also, bluetooth is not working, the touchpad does not support 2 finger scrolling.
For fun'n'giggles installed Windos 11 on this laptop (again). It runs. Its is very slow, but it runs and everything works as it should. I used it for a full day and did not find any issues.
I am now trying openSuse Thumbleweed with a Gnome desktop on it. I think KDE is a bit rescource hungry. Am I right in assuming that ?
Well I installed openSuse Thumbleweed and it has been running for a few days without any problems. Even the speed is very doable.
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Everything worked right out of the box :
WiFi
Normal LAN port
Bluetooth
Touchpad with two fingers scrolling
Sound
Screen at max resolution (with dual screen)
USB Ports
The webcam
The first thing that did not work : NFC reader.
I didn't see the reader being found anywhere and I have no idea how to get it working. And to be fair, I could not get it running on Windows 7, the original installed OS, either.
The second thing I did not get working was the PCMCIA cardslot.
I have a Kingston 14K4 Fax/Modem but it doesn't pop up anywhere.
This, however, works under Windows 7.
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Well apparently not in this case. openSuse is the newest version and it has kernel 6.17.9-1-default.
