Utter Linux newb here.
I have just purchased a laptop with Linpus linux on it. Problem is it boots to a dos-like command line. I can navigate directories but not much else. It is like a dos box from 1985. Is there anywhere I can download a GUI interface and a browser and other things that will make it a little more functional? I will need to use a USB flash drive to install things. Thanks for reading!

https://linuxmint.com/

we need to know u hardware specifications ...

https://linuxmint.com/documentation.php

https://linuxmint.com/screenshots.php

http://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=3223

did you try typing startx yet at your "dos" prompt to see if one is already installed?

2 members found this post helpful.

If you type into a Google search box, tho LQ experts often recommend DuckDuckGo.com privacy,
you will find many answers, and the first few are LQ threads! Did you notice the LQ Search link on the right edge, nearer top, of all pages?

I wish you success and enjoyment with Linux.

And, Just kidding: trade your laptop for my iPad? ��
TB01 was going to send me her spare AlienWarezLaptop, but went invisible on me, after I waited daily for the delivery truck Not even a 2G usb stick, to use at my Library

Yes I tried typing "startx" and the command was not recognized.

As for the specs,
CPU: Intel celeron N3060, 1.6 GHz
Max turbo speed 2.48 GHZ
Dual core
L2 cache 2 MB
64 bit
DDR3L SDRAM 1600 MHZ SO-DIMM 204 pin, 4 GB
128 GB SSD HD

dunno what else you need. Thanks for replying!

They gave you a Linux install without a gui? it is not like they are saving money by not giving you a complete install of Linux/GNU.

I do not knowthe commands but you'll need to basicly get the drivers for your card, and default VGA drivers, initx (for startx) xorg-minimum and a desktop Window manager of your liking. and xterm, to get you going. perhaps if you got wifi/network already working yes | no?

Networkmanager, consolekit cgmanager maybe acpid for wifi too, that should be enough to get you into a desktop so you can finish it, but check the docs on it or just download a different Linux that has everything already then just install that one instead.

that is one beauty of Linux

Today I decided to just create a live ubuntu flash drive. Ubuntu runs fine from the stick (but everything I download/change disappears after rebooting. RAM drive maybe?), but after I install I get "no Bootable device found". I ran bootinfoscript which told me something is missing after the mbr runs. I would cut & paste but everything has disappeared when I rebooted. Now I'm trying reinstalling and changing some bios settings if that doesn't work I'll get bootinfoscript again and cut & paste what it says. Thanks for still replying!

I need to select a uefi file as trusted for executing. Now everything seems fine. I even downloaded a picture and found it was still there after a shutdown/restart. Thanks for the advice guys!

I try not to leave them high and dry.

that is because it is suppose to just go away it is only a live usb stick for checking it out, not for using it as a full blown system.

Persistence is what is missing on that USB Stick.

I developed a full install of Void Linux onto a USB Stick that works fine. But you have to has at least a POSX System to install the xbps tools needed to install it onto the USB Stick.

Full Linux/GNU install on USB Stick

Got Ubunutu running on my notebook without the stick. I had to mess around with BIOS settings to get it to figure out the HD was bootable. linuxquestions.org looks a lot better on this screen than on my phone! Maybe making a persistent live USB stick would be fun to do as a puzzle when I know more what I am doing, but right now I feel more like getting a cup of coffee Thanks for the link though!

it will give you something to look at while drinking that coffee. Have fun with Ubuntututututututututtuuuuuu

pls marked this post as solved if it is done. in that link up top of your screen of this post.