Ubuntu is one of the most accessible Linux distributions for users who decide to give this system a try. This is the most popular distribution, the one with the largest community, and one of the easiest to install and configure. However, despite being a distro designed for all types of users, we cannot always choose it to make it our main operating system, since, depending on a series of conditions, it may not be compatible with our computer.
The most normal thing is that Ubuntu is compatible with our PC. To start it, we simply have to download the latest version of the ISO image, save it to a USB memory and start the PC with it. However, in doing so, we may run into problems. These problems can range from Kernel Panic errors when booting to simply not seeing the bootloader, GRUB.
If we run into problems, we must check if we meet any of these requirements, in which case, we will not be able to install this Linux.
Do you have a 32-bit CPU? Forget Ubuntu
Since Ubuntu 18.10, this distribution no longer supports 32-bit . Canonical decided to focus the development of its system only for 64 bits, ceasing to launch new ISOs prepared to install the system on x86 computers.
Today, all processors have 64-bit support . However, if we have a fairly old PC, it is likely that its processor is not compatible with these instructions. And, in that case, we will see a message that will prevent us from installing this distro on the PC due to incompatibility with the CPU.
If this happens to us, what we should do is look for a 32-bit Linux distro, which we can install without problems.
Do you have a next-generation PC? The kernel may not recognize it
We can also run into the opposite case to the previous one. Ubuntu does not stand out for always being up to date in the Kernel, especially in the LTS extended support versions. Therefore, if we buy a state-of-the-art computer, with the latest processor on the market and a graphics that has just arrived on the market, the most likely thing is that the Kernel does not have support for them. And therefore we will not be able to start or install it.
the easiest solution, in this case, is to download the latest version of Ubuntu, even if it is not LTS. And, if it is still not compatible, wait for the next version to bring a more updated kernel.
Incompatibility with UEFI and Secure Boot
Relatively new computers swapped out traditional BIOS systems for a new system known as UEFI . This system offers the user much more configuration on the PC hardware and, in addition, security measures to prevent unauthorized use. If we have a UEFI computer, and Secure Boot is enabled, it may detect Ubuntu boot as unauthorized access and block it.
To fix it, we just have to go into the UEFI settings and disable the secure boot function. So we can load our Ubuntu.
