This time I'm having problems booting/logging in. Please refer to my previous threads for context and my rather low level of knowledge.
I'd been leaving the machine in suspend overnight, because boot from HDD is slow. This morning the screen image had disappeared and there was a uniform blue background. Apps seemed to work but I've had this before and found the machine slows down badly so rebooted. Reboot got as far as a screen with Ubuntu logo and stopped there, no change after an hour! (I'm having to send this from my tablet, both reading and writing are distinctly awkward compared with the desktop, so apologies for typos and slow responses. )
I've decided now is the time to replace the SSD, clearly I can't nurse the 'puter through to the Christmas break, so will be doing that (between clients!) over the next few days. But I'm concerned there may be something more amiss that would break another new install as well. Can anyone say whether that's likely to be so?
Also, I'm assuming a straightforward clean install to the new SSD is all I'll need to do (apart from all the necessary apps etc). But am I being hopelessly naive in that thought? (I am rather assuming Ubuntu will install preferentially to the SSD; is that more naivety? If so, how would I go about ensuring it does go there?)
As ever, thanks for any help anyone can give.