So it all started when I wanted another laptop to look at the web GUI while I set up my new firewall. It was like an epiphany! Suddenly, I remembered I had an old laptop in my basement.

Quickly, I realized that my Eee PC Seashell Series with Windows 7 from 2015 was not going to work exactly as I thought. 2015 me was apparently very secure with their devices.

☑️Password Protected

☑️Guest Account

☑️Guest Account with no administrative rights

Ok. So I can’t get in. I have had a few devices since then and I remember getting a new laptop circa 2016.

When researching online I came across the only solution from multiple sources. I would have to wipe Windows 7 and reinstall the OS. No problem except I have never done that. My old reset tricks from my time on the Geek Squad at Best Buy did not prepare me for ….me from 10 years ago.

Summary:

I completely wiped Windows 7 off of the laptop and installed Linux Lite.

Step 1: Download Linux Lite

Linux Lite Download

Step 2: Gather FlashDrive

I had to go to the store for a new flash drive that would hold the ~2.8GB of Linux Lite. All I had that was free to use was a 2GB SD card probably also from 2015.

Step 3: Download Rufus and create a bootable drive

Rufus Download

Select Start

If you have items on your flash drive, BEWARE and read this message!

Running…

It’s Ready!

To be honest, I wasn’t sure what to do, so I just closed the program and ejected the flash drive safely.

Step 4: Change Boot Order

Took me a couple tried to get into the BIOS to change the boot order. It also took me a just an extra minute to organize the correct order.

I set the [Removable Dev.] as the 1st boot device. I Hope this is correct. Then I saved and exited.

Ok so Windows failed to start.

Then “Windows Files Loading” I did click to repair. Now I am stuck waiting to see why my computer was unable to start. Still hoping it is because I did everything right. I did get a question asking me to restore to an earlier backup. I selected the negative answer of “no thank you”. Then it kept on running.

I got impatient and tried to cancel the repair to start again. I got rejected (see below).

I decided to power off.

I entered the BIOS again no problem and searched for the USB drive. Finally, I found it in Hard Disk Drives. I set the USB as the “1st Drive” but also it is still in brackets which might indicate that it is disabled. Going to go ahead and save and exit and see what happens.

HUZZAH!

Step 5:I selected to Boot Linux 🙂

Started at 5:51PM Ended at 6:12PM

So once I got to the Desktop of the OS, I noticed that it did NOT ask me to override Windows 7. I did notice this Desktop App though that said to “Install this system permanently to your hard disk”. Obviously, I tried to open it. With the age of the laptop it took a while.

Started 6:12PM - Ended Never

I had to manually remove the USB and call it good enough and go back to Step 5.

This time I “Installed” Linux Lite.

Success to set up!

P.S. I love all the languages included.

Then I clicked to Install third-party software for graphics and Wi-Fi hardware and additional media.

Step 6: Erase disk and install Linux!

Also, I definitely clicked continue on this menu.

I proceeded to continue setting up the OS to my preferences and now I have a laptop to connect to my firewall to test with! It’s a little slow, but I can optimize it better now that I have access to the settings.

This took a while though.

-Ann