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How to Install Ubuntu on an Old HP Laptop From USB (and Why I Left Windows)

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Install Ubuntu on an old HP laptop from USB if you want to bring unsupported hardware back to life and move away from Windows. In this guide, I’m using an old HP 430 G3 laptop and installing Ubuntu from a USB thumb drive, while also explaining why I’m moving away from Windows on older machines.

For me, the reasons are simple. Once older laptops stop getting proper Windows support and updates, they become riskier to use over time. Windows data collection is also something I like less and less. Ubuntu gives older hardware a second life, feels lighter, and gives you more control. It also makes a lot of sense if you want to prepare a machine for projects like OpenClaw later on.

Why I left Windows on this old laptop

This HP 430 G3 is still a useful machine, but it is no longer a great fit for modern Windows. When older hardware starts falling behind on update support, security becomes a bigger concern. Even if the laptop still turns on and runs, that does not mean it is still a smart machine to trust long term.

The second reason is privacy. A lot of people are uncomfortable with how much data Windows collects. Linux, and Ubuntu in particular, gives you a much cleaner experience with more control over the system.

The third reason is flexibility. Linux works well for development tools, self-hosting, terminal work, and projects like OpenClaw. And if you are new to the Linux command line, tools like ChatGPT can help you understand commands and get past beginner friction much faster.

What you need before starting

You should also back up anything important before starting, because installing Ubuntu can erase the drive depending on the setup you choose. As an Amazon Associate, 123myIT may earn from qualifying purchases.

Download Ubuntu for your old HP laptop

The first step is to download Ubuntu from the official website. If you want the standard version for most users, go with the main Ubuntu Desktop release.

Official Ubuntu download

Once the ISO file is downloaded, you are ready to make the USB installer.

Create a bootable Ubuntu USB installer

Use a USB creation tool on another computer to write the Ubuntu ISO to a thumb drive.

  • Rufus on Windows
  • Balena Etcher
  • Startup Disk Creator on Linux

The goal is simple: turn the USB stick into a bootable Ubuntu installer that the HP laptop can start from.

How to boot the HP 430 G3 from USB

  1. plug the USB thumb drive into the HP 430 G3
  2. power on the laptop
  3. press the boot menu key
  4. choose the USB drive from the boot options

If the laptop does not boot from USB straight away, you may need to enter BIOS settings and make sure USB boot is enabled.

Install Ubuntu step by step

  1. choose your language
  2. select install Ubuntu
  3. connect to Wi-Fi if needed
  4. choose normal or minimal installation
  5. decide whether to erase the disk or install alongside another OS
  6. choose your time zone
  7. create your username and password
  8. let Ubuntu finish the install
  9. restart the laptop and remove the USB drive when prompted

After the reboot, the HP 430 G3 should load straight into Ubuntu.

First impressions after installing Ubuntu

One of the biggest differences on older hardware is how much lighter the machine can feel. Ubuntu often makes older laptops feel more responsive than a bloated or unsupported Windows setup.

  • a cleaner desktop
  • fewer distractions
  • better control over software
  • easier access to terminal tools
  • a stronger base for technical projects

Why Ubuntu makes more sense now

  • it helps you move away from unsupported Windows
  • it reduces privacy concerns
  • it makes old hardware useful again
  • it gives you a better base for learning Linux
  • it suits OpenClaw and similar projects much better

Preparing this laptop for OpenClaw

One reason I wanted Linux on this machine is to prepare it for OpenClaw. Ubuntu makes more sense for that kind of setup because it gives you a cleaner environment for terminal commands, automation, and local AI-style workflows.

That means this is not just a Windows replacement. It is also the start of turning an old laptop into something genuinely useful again.

Final thoughts

If you want to install Ubuntu on an old HP laptop from USB, the process is not as hard as many people think. And once Windows stops feeling like the right fit for older hardware, Linux becomes much easier to justify.

For me, the switch is about security, privacy, control, and making older hardware useful again. And with tools like ChatGPT helping with Linux commands, getting started is easier than ever.

If you want to build on that later, you can also read our OpenClaw Agent Bootstrap Prompt guide and our Mac mini multi-agent guide.

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8 iPhone Settings You Need To Turn Off In 2021

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Hi Guys and welcome to 123myit. In this video, we will show you how 8 iPhone settings that you should turn off in 2021. Guys, I am going to show you some iPhone settings that you should turn off straight away. These settings are designed to take the load off your phones CPU which will speed your phone up and save the battery life. Along with that, it will increase the privacy on your iPhone which you should consider doing if you are not doing this already.

I am using an iPhone 12 Pro, but depending on the iOS version, it might look a bit different but the settings will be the same. Let’s go into the settings of your iPhone.

Location Services – 8 iPhone Settings

And then scroll down to privacy and location services. If you have a purple arrow this might be a bad sign. It means that an app or service has been using your location. You can read more about it on the Purple arrow here. Lets go into System Services. Ok so you want to turn most of these off. So all of these services ajust your iPhone’s Antenna’s settings when you go to another country. So if you have no plans to go to other countrys. Just turn these things off. I will show you exactly what to turn off and what to leave on.

8 iPhone Settings
8 iPhone Settings

Ok so leave on emergency calls and find my iPhone. The networking and wireless works with iPhone 11 and 12. If you are using AirDrop it allows you to point your iPhone in the direction of another iPhone and that iPhone will be the first to appear in the AirDrop list. This might be handy in a crowded situation like an office. But for a regular home user turn it off.

Significant Locations

Next let’s talk about Significant locations. These are places that you have visited and Apple saves those locations, pretty weird. I don’t have any locations because I don’t take this iPhone anywhere but if you toggle this off and clear your history, you will save data and battery life.

Next Tap back and scroll down to Product Improvement and turn these all off. Unless Apple is paying you to help them improve their products, just turn it off.

If you tap back and on the main page of location services, just look for any App that is always using your location and just turn it off. So for example if I go into Apple Maps you can see I have the options. Never, Ask next time and while using the App. If you have an App that says Always. Just set it to while your using the App. If you have an App that says Always. Turn it off straight away. For me I will set it to ask next time I use the app and if I open it I will get a prompt to ask to use my location. So go through all your Apps and anything set to Always. Change it.

Apple Advertising

All right if we go back out of Locations services and scroll down to Apple Advertising. If you tap on View Ad Targeting Information. This will give you some info about yourself. But I don’t find it that useful. Just go ahead and turn off the Personalised Ads button. You will still get ads that meet your criteria. It just means your iPhone will be less snoopy to get these targeted ads.

If we tap back to Privacy and go into Analytics & Improvements. So if you have all these turned on, data is constantly being sent from your phone to Apple and other App developers. So again turn these off to save battery life and Data.

Turn Off Tracking on Apps – 8 iPhone Settings

The next one is to Turn Off allow Apps to Track and you can find this by going back to Privacy scrolling up to Tracking. What this does is it allows Apps like FaceBook to Track everywhere you go on the internet and then use this information to sell Ads about you to Advertisers. Its a creepy way to for Advertisers to make money off you, and if you are not getting a cut of that money, turn it off.

The next setting to turn off is In App Ratings and Reviews. To find it go back out of Privacy and Settings then scroll down to App Store. When you download an App for the first time, it will ask you do you want to write a review how many stars can you give us. So just go ahead and turn this off.

The next setting we should talk about it Push Mail. This is handy if you use your phone to get email. To find it tap back to Settings and scroll down to mail. Once your in Mail tap on Accounts and then Fetch New Data. This setting uses up heaps of Battery life on your iPhone. When you have push turned on, your iPhone is constantly looking for new email. When you turn push mail off your iPhone can choose how often it will check for email.

Toggle off Push

So what you want to do is toggle off Push and then you can go into each account and set it to Manual or fetch. Manual just means when you open the Mail account and refresh it. Otherwise go back to Fetch new Data and put a tick besides Every 30 mins or every 15 mins. This means it will check for email every 30 mins or 15 mins which ever you prefer. Obviously if you set it to every 30 mins you will save more battery life and data.

The last setting to turn of is Background App Refresh and you can find it by tapping Accounts, Mail and Settings. Scroll up to General and tap Background App Refresh. And at the top tap Background App Refresh. This settings Allows Apps to download content and data when running in the background. I would turn this off for Cellular data and set it to WIFI only. And then if you tap back you can go through and choose which apps you want to be able to download data in the background. So just go and turn off any Apps that you don’t use. And again this will save your battery life and data.

Also guys don’t forget to check out my other videos such as 8 Android setting you need to turn off in 2021. And do me a favour if you know anyone who might need this video please share it will them, hit the subscribe button and smash the bell icon.

Samsung Galaxy S21

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Models and Pricing – Samsung Galaxy S21

Hi Guys and welcome to 123myit. In this video, we will show you everything you need to know about the Samsung Galaxy S21. The Galaxy S21 is $200 cheaper than last years model. Which is a pretty big drop! The S21 comes in three different models, the S21, S21+ and the S21 Ultra. Pricing for the S21 starts at $799 USD and it comes in four different colours, Gray, White, Violet and Pink.

First up in the box of the Samsung Galaxy S21 you have the phone itself. Next will find the documentation a quick start guide, Warranty information and Samsung Care info. The only other accessories are the USB C cable and the sim eject tool.

No more USB charger with the Samsung Galaxy S21

Samsung has followed Apple’s lead by removing a USB charger, Headphones and a see through case which was included in the box last year. In doing so they have minimised packaging. There has been some criticism from Youtubers about weather this I good move for the environment or not.  In my opinion is that is still a step in the right direction, as those Youtubers focused mostly on the users would go out and buy these extras. But, didn’t focus on the fact that allot of users might not buy these extras. I usually charge my phone with a cable which is attached to my laptop. So no adapter in the box actually works for me.

The Galaxy S21 supports 15 watts wireless charging and is IP68 water and dust resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30 mins.

Display

The Galaxy S21 has a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display. It has a 1080 by 2400 -pixel resolution at 421 ppi. If you compare it with last year’s model the S20+ on the right, you can see the S20+ has a bit more screen real estate on its 6.7-inch AMOLED display. If you are looking to update to the S21 this might help you get an idea of the screen size.

On the right side, you have then Volume up and down buttons and Sleep Wake power button. On the bottom, you have the USB C connector, microphone pin hole, sim card slot and 1 of the stereo speakers. Actually, the Stereo speakers are impressive. Take a listen.

On the left side of the iPhone, you have the Ring Silent and a SIM card slot.

Face Unlock

Face recognition and Face unlock are standard on the Galaxy S21 models. Along the front top of the S21 we have a 10 megapixel Camera which has a F2.2 aperture. While you can’t see them there is a whole bunch of sensors here. FingerPrint, Proximity, accelerometer, gyro and compass. The camera detects you face so you don’t have to enter a passcode to open the device.

Cameras

On the back of the S21 you have a Triple Camera setup which features a Ultra Wide, Wide and Telephoto cameras. The 12MP Ultra Wide camera has a 120-degree field of view with a F2.2 aperture. The 12 megapixel Wide camera has a f 1.8 aperture and the last camera features a 64 MP telephoto camera Which has a 3x Hybrid Zoom and F2.0 aperture. for stunning portrait shots.

So out of the box the Samsung Galaxy S21 will take amazing photos. Here are some comparisons between the S21 and last years model the S20+. Can you spot the difference?

Samsung Galaxy S21 Zoom

To use the Zoom go into the camera and you have the default Zooms marked with tree. The default is one times. You have a Three and a .5 times zoom as well. If you swipe up you will find the rest and here you can zoom all the way into 30 times and back out.

CPU Snapdragon or Exynos?

The Galaxy S21 can come with either the Exynos or Snapdragon CPU depending where you live. A fast processor is important when playing games and videos or when generally moving around the phone. Here’s the Geekbench scores for the Galaxy S21 and the Galaxy S20+.

The results of the Geekbench scores show that the S21 does out perform last years model the S21+. One other thing you might notice here is the S21 has adaptive 120Hz screen. This means there is less flicker because it uses AI to adjust the screen refresh rate. Its means that the screen is less likely to flicker as you see here.

After running the CPU benchmark if we take a look at where the S21 is heating up it seems to me mostly at the top of the device near the cameras.

So what’s my thoughts, it’s a pretty amazing phone its really grown on me. I like the smaller size is just right for your pocket and its $200 cheaper which is amazing.

Guys, don’t forget to check out my other videos such as 5 start-up modes for M1 Macs. Also do me a favour if you know anyone who might like this video please share it will them, hit the subscribe button and smash the bell icon.

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10 iPhone settings that you should turn off straight away

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10 iPhone settings that you don’t need. Time to turn them off.

Hi guys and welcome to 123, this video I will show you ten iPhone settings that you should turn off straight away. Ok guys these settings I am about to show you will do two things save battery life and save you mobile data. So let us get started.

iPhone Analytics

  1. The first one you should turn off is iPhone analytics. IPhone Analytics sends data to Apple and could be a privacy issue as well. They use these analytics to see how you use your phone so they can improve their services. It also drains your battery life. So to turn it off go into Settings > Privacy > Analytics. Just toggle the button at the top. If you have an Apple watch, it will also turn off the analytics for your Apple watch. Again, this will give you more battery life on your Apple watch as well.

iCloud Analytics

  1. In addition, while you are in there turn off iCloud analytics, which is the same thing as iPhone Analytics accept for iCloud.
  2. Turn off Improve Siri & Dictation. This setting allows Apple to store and review the Audio from your Siri interactions. For me no thanks I want to keep that private.

Significant Locations

  • Next up turn off Significant Locations. Significant location tracks everywhere you go this also means it uses your GPS everywhere you go. This allows Apple to deliver targeted advertising to your phone.  To turn this off go to Settings > Privacy> Location services > you can toggle it off at the top. Otherwise if you want to see where you have been go to System Services > Significant Locations. You can turn it off in here plus see where you have been and clear history.
iPhone settings
System Services – Turn off services that you are not using.

System Services

  • Turn off everything in System services that are unnecessary. Turn off everything apart from Emergency calls and SOS, find my iPhone and share my location if you use that feature. If suddenly, something does not work come back in here and double check. Otherwise, turn them off. It will save you battery life and data.
  • While you are in there turn off everything in Product improvement. This allows Apple to use your location to improve maps. Just turn it off.

Limit Ad Tracking

  • Next, up you want turn on Limit Ad Tracking. This is one where the naming might be confusing. If you do not have this on then you are being tracked when you go to websites so that advertisers can advertise to you.  Turn this on under Privacy and Advertising. If you want to see information that is being used by Apple, tap the View Ad Information menu. Hit the Reset Advertising Identifier button and then toggle Limit Ad Tracking on.

Email accounts

  • Set your email accounts to fetch instead of Push. What this does is it only goes and gets your email when you open your email to look. Rather than wasting battery, life constantly checking for new email. You can also select how often you want to fetch your mail. Every 15 minutes might be suitable. Just remember the longer you leave this the better your battery life will be.
  • Turn off background app refresh. You can find this under iPhone Settings, General. This allows apps to download data in the background even where you are not using them. Turn these off for anything you are not using.
  • Raise to wake. Turn off save battery life. What this does is when your iPhone screen is blank it turns on when you raise it.

Also guys don’t forget to check out my other video such as Forgotten Passcode on iPad, iPhone and iPod. And do me a favour hit the subscribe button and smash the bell icon.

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