I've been experimenting with Linux Mint on my Hp laptop and I wanted to check the Device Manager. I was hoping for something similar in Windows. I couldn't find anything. There are Terminal commands you can perform to get this information.
For example:
Open up Terminal and type:
lspci
This only shows PCI devices.
Lsusb
Shows USB devices.
But I really don't like the terminal. I rather have a graphical interface. For that, you will need to download and install a utility called HardInfo. Open Terminal and type the following and hit enter. You'll be required to enter your system password.
sudo apt-get install hardinfo
Watch the install information on the Terminal. You will be asked if you want to continue with the install. Just click Y on the keyboard for yes. When you are back at your command prompt it is done.
Once its finished installing either in Terminal or in the Start menu search bar type hardinfo and hit Enter.
I have Linux Mint on a HP 15-bs023ca and I started to use the touchscreen capabilities of the laptop only to have my system go crazy on me opening and closing windows and screens, moving things around, I was going to call an exorcist but I remembered I had a problem on this system before when it had Windows 10.
The touchscreen was really missed up in Windows and I had to disable it. The problems seem to exist in Linux as well. Unfortunately, Linux Mint doesn't seem to have a device manager like in Windows. I installed one called HardInfo but it only gives you the information about the devices but no management options.
So, more research online and I found a simple solution. First open up the terminal either through the Start menu or on the Taskbar.
Then type the following in Terminal and hit enter: xinput --list
It shows you a list of installed devices. Find the device that you want to disable and the ID number. In my case it was the ELAN Touchscreen that I need to disable with and ID number of 10.
So I typed:
xinput disable 10
When I first typed xinput --list my touchscreen device was listed as [slave pointer (2)], after it was listed as [floating slave]. I assumed it meant it was disabled because my Linux demons have left the building. Good enough.
By the way to enable it again I would have to type: xinput enable 10
I don't like the file explorer in Linux. I prefer one more like Windows so I decided to give X File Explorer or XFE a try. Not really a fan of Terminal but open up the Terminal (like command prompt or PowerShell in Windows) and type the following. Hit Enter after every line.
sudo apt update
sudo apt install xfe
Watch the terminal screen. It will first request your password. Then you have to confirm the download and install by clicking on Y for yes and then Enter. To run it after the install type xfe in either the terminal or the search bar and hit Enter.
And here is a more Windows like explorer for Linux.
So, you may ask why use Linux and make it look like Windows? I like Windows. I have my programs that I like using and would rather keep on using them if possible but I HATE Microsoft. Need I say more.