Lab Laptops

We can do most of our computational work on Windows (or Mac OS) but some tasks are easier with or require Linux (e.g. Ubuntu). There are several PC laptops that you can borrow from the lab for computational work and personal use. Ubuntu is installed on these laptops so you can choose to use the OS that suits your needs. You don't have to understand what SATA is but you do need to know there are two options for the operation of the SATA controller, AHCI and RAID (or Optane with RAID). Ubuntu (Linux) works with AHCI and Windows works with RAID.

If you mainly use Windows, the SATA Mode can be set to RAID (or Optane with RAID) and you can switch to AHCI when Ubuntu needs to be used.

How to switch to AHCI (for the use of Ubuntu) on Aspire 5:

Go to UEFI Firmware Settings (alternatively F2 on reboot)

Under Main in Settings, Ctrl + s

Change SATA Mode to "AHCI"

Under Exit, Exit Saving Changes

How to switch to AHCI (for the use of Ubuntu) on Dell Inspiron 15:

Go to UEFI Firmware Settings (alternatively F2 on reboot)

Under System Configuration change SATA Operation to "AHCI"

Under Exit, Exit Saving Changes

How to change the boot order on Ubuntu:

sudo gedit /etc/default/grub

Change GRUB_DEFAULT to 2 (if you want to set Windows as the default choice)

sudo update-grub

XPS 13 Ubuntu

Administrator

Frog504

Username: physiologylab

Frog504+512

Acer Aspire 5 Windows 10 + Ubuntu

Administrator

letmein

Ubuntu Username: physiologylab

Frog504+512

If you mainly use Ubuntu, keep SATA Mode to AHCI

For the use of Windows:

Switch to Optane with RAID

After reboot, go to Windows Boot Manager

5040

Dell Inspire 15 Windows 10 + Ubuntu

Administrator

letmein

Ubuntu Username: physiologylab

Frog504+512

If you mainly use Ubuntu, keep SATA Mode to AHCI

For the use of Windows:

Switch to Optane with RAID

After reboot, go to Windows Boot Manager

0504

Acer Aspire 5 Ryzen Radeon Windows 10

Frog#504

0504