Need help with direction.

Hello, I am a novice, that is for sure. I can really use some guidance.
All of the electronics is complete on a Bridgeport retrofit. New servos, encoders, huanyang vfd, 5i25, 7i77 mesa boards. The computer is a Dell Optiplex 780. Running Ubuntu Precise, LinuxCNC 2.7.8. I am having a bit of trouble with linux. Can't install a network printer, and some of the desktop icons are missing and when booting a usb port 1 gives an error message. Do I need to re install linux? Better version Debian Wheezy?
So here is what I think should be the procedure for getting the software to work.
1. Latency Test
2. Run Hal
3. Setup Huanyang VFD
4. Run PNConf
5.Homing Configuration
6. Tune the servo motors.
7. Calibration from AXIS.

Am I on the right track? Missing anything basic? Anything out of order or missed?

Than you,

Jeff

Thank you,
At this time I can't replace the computer. I have the keyboard and mouse on the other usb ports. They seem to be working. But I will put another P.C. on the list of things I need to replace.

There should be a motherboard pin connection to add a USB for the case you could try

Will I lose all my setting when installing?

jeffie-3 wrote:

Will I lose all my setting when installing?

Make a copy of your config folder.

O.K. I put Debian Stretch on a jump drive. Booted to it. Everything went well. When I turned off the machine and turned it back on. I was back to Ubuntu Precise. Grub did not show Debian. What did I do wrong?

Are you sure you actually installed Stretch to your HD, or did you just run it "live" from your USB stick?