How to Install Ubuntu 18.04 on an Acer Aspire ES1-732-P48C

Are you looking to switch from Windows to a lightweight and efficient Linux environment on your Acer Aspire ES1-732-P48C? Installing Ubuntu 18.04 on this laptop can provide you with a seamless experience. Follow these step-by-step instructions to ensure a smooth installation process.

Prerequisites and Preparation

Before you start, make sure you have the following:

A backup of your current data A USB drive with at least 4 GB of space The Ubuntu 18.04 ISO file from the official Ubuntu website

Creating a Bootable USB Drive

To create a bootable USB drive for Ubuntu 18.04, you can use either Rufus (for Windows) or Etcher (for Linux and macOS).

Using Rufus

Download Rufus: Visit the official Rufus website to download the latest version.

Insert the USB drive: Insert the USB drive into your computer.

Open Rufus: Launch the Rufus application.

Select the USB drive: Rufus should automatically detect the USB drive you inserted. If not, ensure the correct drive is selected in the drop-down menu.

Choose the Ubuntu 18.04 ISO file: Click on the 'STAR' button to select the Ubuntu 18.04 ISO file.

Start the process: Click 'Start' to create the bootable USB drive. The process may take a few minutes to complete.

Using Etcher

Download Etcher: Head to the Balena Etcher website to download the latest version.

Insert the USB drive: Insert the USB drive into your computer.

Open Etcher: Launch the Balena Etcher application.

Select the Ubuntu 18.04 ISO file: Click on the file selection button to locate and select the Ubuntu 18.04 ISO file.

Select the USB drive: Ensure the correct USB drive is selected from the device drop-down menu.

Open Etcher: Click on the 'Flash!' button to start the process. This may take a few minutes.

Preparing the Acer Aspire ES1-732-P48C

To prepare your Acer Aspire ES1-732-P48C for installation, follow these steps:

Access BIOS/UEFI Settings: Restart your laptop and press F2 repeatedly until you enter the BIOS setup.

Change Boot Order: Navigate to the Boot tab in the BIOS menu and set the USB drive as the first boot device.

Disable Secure Boot (if necessary): Look for the Secure Boot option in the BIOS settings. Disable it, often found under the Security tab.

Save Changes and Exit: Press F10 to save changes and exit the BIOS.

Installing Ubuntu 18.04

Once you have prepared the laptop, follow these installation steps:

Boot from USB: Insert the bootable USB drive into the laptop and restart it. Ensure the USB drive is set as the first boot option.

Select “Try Ubuntu” or “Install Ubuntu”: You will see the option to try or install Ubuntu. Choose Install Ubuntu.

Follow Installation Prompts: Choose your language, keyboard layout, and whether to install third-party software for better hardware support. Continue following the prompts for time zone, user account, and password.

Installation Type Selection: For an erase disk installation, select the Erase disk and install Ubuntu option. For manual partitioning, select Something else and create partitions for root /, swap, and optionally /home.

Complete Installation: Follow the remaining prompts to complete the installation process. Click Install Now when prompted.

Finish Installation: Once the installation is complete, restart your laptop and remove the USB drive when prompted.

Post-Installation

After installation, ensure your system is up to date:

Update the System: Open a terminal using Ctrl Alt T and run:

bash
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

Install Additional Drivers (if necessary): Go to Software Updates Additional Drivers to install any recommended drivers.

Your Acer Aspire ES1-732-P48C should now be running Ubuntu 18.04. If you encounter any issues during installation, feel free to seek further assistance.