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I guess I'm a newbie when it comes to linux, but I managed to perform a clean install on an old Compaq mini netbook (CQ10-120LA). Everything is smooth except when it comes to playing YouTube videos, which is the main reason I wanted to get this laptop to work again. This happened recently after it updated to 16.04, I don't remember the previous version but it wasn't so much of an issue. It also overheats a lot (I cleaned the interior and replaced the thermal compound already).

I tried Minitube (didn't work), so I'm looking for a reasonable solution that doesn't take a whole lot of knowledge in order to make this thing a simple and functional box, feel free to recommend another distro. Any help is appreciated. Chrome and firefox are the only browsers I've tried.

Relevant specs of the netbook:

  • Intel Atom N270, 1.6 Ghz Single core (32 bit architecture)
  • 2Gb of ram
  • 180 Gb HDD
Mauricio Ortiz
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  • Please [edit your question](https://askubuntu.com/posts/885219/edit) and add which browser you're using. – Chai T. Rex Feb 20 '17 at 04:41
  • And if you can't get it to work in the browser, you can try this: http://www.webupd8.org/2015/02/youtube-viewer-complete-youtube-client.html. VLC can also play youtube videos, just paste the URL into the "open network stream" box. – Jonas Czech Feb 20 '17 at 09:21
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    An Intel Atom N270 will **not** play HD video, Youtube or local file. Set your expectations accordingly. –  Feb 20 '17 at 11:46
  • I never expected this little thing to play 1080p or even 720p video, I'm well aware this system is pretty much potato. – Mauricio Ortiz Feb 21 '17 at 07:05

1 Answers1

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A single-core Intel Atom N270, paired with the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 provided by Intel 82945GSE Graphics and Memory Controller, supports at most 480P videos for online video streaming or reproducing local files.

Due to limited hardware it may work better if using a dedicated client. Two alternatives suggested in comments:

  1. VLC

    sudo apt install vlc

    File -> Open Network Stream...

  2. YouTube-Viewer

    sudo apt-add-repository ppa:nilarimogard/webupd8
sudo apt update
sudo apt install youtube-viewer
karel
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