Thinking of moving an old laptop from XP to Linux

El_Mayo · Jul 17, 2012, 08:51 PM

It's an 8 year old laptop that my mother uses. Would Linux be straightforward to use coming from Windows?
Also does it have lower spec requirements? I want it to run faster than XP does atm!
Also which version of Linux should I download?

phanbuey · Jul 17, 2012, 09:11 PM

Where linux really struggles is in the compatibility with peripherals. Some people follow the school of thought that "if you set it up for them, and they only do routine internet and word processing tasks, it will be ok" - but in this day and age, it's just not worth it.

I would put windows 7 on it - w7 runs fine on atoms and really old hardware, and with a bit of ram she would be better off than a linux distro.

If you were to go, I would go ubuntu + Gnome, but honestly it will not run much faster than a clean install of XP from what I remember. Windows 8 is supposed to be super light and meant for tablets, maybe that route would be even better.

pantherx12 · Jul 17, 2012, 09:13 PM

A lot of laptop wifi cards don't work with linux so I'd check that out for sure.

DARKADAM · Jul 18, 2012, 06:33 AM

One problem with linux is drivers. You will Most Likely have to code t
some parts by yourself... Wi-Fi cards seem to be the main issue here, as I found out on my Compaq Laptop.

james888 · Jul 18, 2012, 07:36 AM

You could always try it out with a usb or cd

Drone · Jul 18, 2012, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El_Mayo

It's an 8 year old laptop that my mother uses. Would Linux be straightforward to use coming from Windows? Also which version of Linux should I download?

I'd say use Xubuntu. It's a scaled-down version of Ubuntu which runs better on older machines.

And don't worry about wi-fi mumbo-jumbo. All net/notebooks I've ever used with linux always recognized wifi.

pantherx12 · Jul 18, 2012, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drone

And don't worry about wi-fi mumbo-jumbo. All net/notebooks I've ever used with linux always recognized wifi.

All I've tried don't work.

Individual experiences don't really count for much

Drone · Jul 18, 2012, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pantherx12

Individual experiences don't really count for much

Lol yes your statement might be right in tech world. Wacky soft and hardware.

However I never had problems with atheros, broadcom and other cards

olstyle · Jul 18, 2012, 09:14 AM

I am using Linux Mint(Debian Edition) on my Thinkpad T40 right now(MATE desktop environment). Works like a charm and the Mint-Menu is very similar to the windows experience.

Pehla · Aug 3, 2012, 09:27 AM

from my expirience i never had problems with wi-fi..,and i try many versions of linux!to be honest i never had any problems with any driver!!! BUT u must know if u watch video on youtube on xp fine,on linux it will not be case! i think its flash for linux that sucks! and belive me try pupy for that laptop,it will impres u for it speed! u can ALWAYS live bot some os that u like and chek driver isue,and chek desktop expirience

Pehla · Aug 3, 2012, 09:30 AM

im sry i must add one thing! with linux u have no problems with defragmenting(witch ur mom will never do),and cleaning registry just to improve speed of os! all o got to do is install and ur maintance free!!

did i mention u dont need antivirus,witch will slow down bot time and response time

Drone · Aug 3, 2012, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pehla

im sry i must add one thing! with linux u have no problems with defragmenting

In normal use Linux won't let fragmentation occur. However if hard drive is 80-90% full, you'll start to see some fragmentation.

pr0n Inspector · Aug 3, 2012, 10:08 AM

spec? 8-yo hardware should be well-supported if they're mainstream.

Also, Arch Linux all the way!

remixedcat · Aug 3, 2012, 10:12 AM

LXDE for the desktop env. very fast

Chevalr1c · Aug 6, 2012, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pr0n Inspector

spec? 8-yo hardware should be well-supported if they're mainstream.

Also, Arch Linux all the way!

Isn't Arch a bit too technical for someone who seems to be a newbie with Linux? Last time I read about it, it was decribed as "for competent users" (distrowatch.com). I think that Debian with LXDE or XFCE is El Mayo's best bet (LXDE tends to be a little bit lighter than XFCE).

Drone · Aug 6, 2012, 06:41 PM

Found a tiny distro. Called DSL (damn small linux)

http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/

newlife · Aug 6, 2012, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pantherx12

All I've tried don't work.

Individual experiences don't really count for much

i've used linux a lot and i have never a had i prob with wifi cards. pci, usb and laptop have all worked 4 me without downloading a driver

SIGSEGV · Aug 6, 2012, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phanbuey

Where linux really struggles is in the compatibility with peripherals. Some people follow the school of thought that "if you set it up for them, and they only do routine internet and word processing tasks, it will be ok" - but in this day and age, it's just not worth it.

I would put windows 7 on it - w7 runs fine on atoms and really old hardware, and with a bit of ram she would be better off than a linux distro.

If you were to go, I would go ubuntu + Gnome, but honestly it will not run much faster than a clean install of XP from what I remember. Windows 8 is supposed to be super light and meant for tablets, maybe that route would be even better.

seriously? are you kidding me?

what do you mean with a bit of ram she'd be better off than linux? does it mean, it will run faster than linux?
what programs or software did you use for comparing speed of linux and windows xp? or it was just booting process?

Jetster · Aug 6, 2012, 10:55 PM

Linux Mint will have the support you need. Use the DVD version if it has a DVD rom otherwise use the CD.The DVD had flash already installed and more drivers

T3RM1N4L D0GM4 · Aug 12, 2012, 07:22 AM

I say Lubuntu or Debian net-install + LXDE (or other lightweght DE like XFCE)

Melvis · Aug 12, 2012, 12:50 PM

Need the system spec dude so we can help ya out more.

I run ubuntu on a very old laptop (2002-3 machine) and it runs fine on it.

Specs are a P4 2.0GHz, 1GB RAM, 30GB HDD IDE, some mega ass crappy intel graphics 64MB or less? i cant remember and i use one of those old school wireless cards that you slide down into the side of the laptop? all working perfectly.

The laptop doesnt have a DVD/CD drive, and wont boot from a USB drive, you ask how did you install the OS on it? i installed it from another computer, my old desktop, then put the HDD back into the laptop after it finished installing Ubuntu onto the laptop HDD via a USB connection and it booted up normally.

Linux rocks!!

GoFigureItOut · Aug 24, 2012, 12:39 AM

Linux itself might not be able to detect or install the appropriate drivers for an older WiFi card, but shouldn't NDIS Wrapper overcome that? Or just buy a WiFi dongle.

eidairaman1 · Aug 24, 2012, 12:42 AM

provide specific brand, make, model number and the part number code from bottom

chamaecyparis · Aug 27, 2012, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El_Mayo

Would Linux be straightforward to use coming from Windows?
Also does it have lower spec requirements? I want it to run faster than XP does atm!
Also which version of Linux should I download?

No.
Some do, generally, especially those designated "for old computers"
Depends on hardware specs.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That taken care of, general recommendations based on typical hardware specs for the day (2004)

If mobo maxes out at 512MB RAM
antiX or crunchbang or zenwalk-7-Openbox

If at least 768MB-1GB RAM
includes any of the above plus peppermint3

Chevalr1c · Aug 28, 2012, 12:14 PM

If AntiX is based on Debian testing, getting Debian Sid with the LXDE desktop may be a better choice (the Sid branch is likely to be more stable than the testing branch while it is still pretty modern in terms of the recency of the software). LXDE is also a bit like old school Windows interfaces so that may be practical for the user of the laptop. Doing computer management will still not be "straightforward" compared to Windows though, as chamaecyparis stated.

But because the topic starter has no Linux experience, installing Lubuntu or Linux Mint LXDE may be a better choice.

Jul 17, 2012, 08:51 PM	#1
El_Mayo Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Bristol, England Posts: 2,100 (1.40/day) Thanks: 1,262 Thanked 193 Times in 155 Posts System Specs	Thinking of moving an old laptop from XP to Linux It's an 8 year old laptop that my mother uses. Would Linux be straightforward to use coming from Windows? Also does it have lower spec requirements? I want it to run faster than XP does atm! Also which version of Linux should I download? __________________ Battlefield 3: My Battlelog Twitter

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Jul 17, 2012, 09:11 PM	#2
phanbuey Eligible for custom title Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Miami Posts: 5,010 (2.48/day) Thanks: 1,484 Thanked 959 Times in 812 Posts System Specs	Where linux really struggles is in the compatibility with peripherals. Some people follow the school of thought that "if you set it up for them, and they only do routine internet and word processing tasks, it will be ok" - but in this day and age, it's just not worth it. I would put windows 7 on it - w7 runs fine on atoms and really old hardware, and with a bit of ram she would be better off than a linux distro. If you were to go, I would go ubuntu + Gnome, but honestly it will not run much faster than a clean install of XP from what I remember. Windows 8 is supposed to be super light and meant for tablets, maybe that route would be even better. Last edited by phanbuey; Jul 17, 2012 at 09:18 PM.

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Jul 17, 2012, 09:13 PM	#3
pantherx12 Eligible for custom title Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: ENGLAND-LAND-LAND Posts: 8,443 (5.27/day) Thanks: 1,188 Thanked 1,705 Times in 1,375 Posts System Specs	A lot of laptop wifi cards don't work with linux so I'd check that out for sure.

Jul 18, 2012, 06:33 AM	#4
DARKADAM Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 10 (0.03/day) Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts System Specs	One problem with linux is drivers. You will Most Likely have to code t some parts by yourself... Wi-Fi cards seem to be the main issue here, as I found out on my Compaq Laptop.

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Jul 18, 2012, 07:36 AM	#5
james888 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,278 (3.27/day) Thanks: 456 Thanked 429 Times in 320 Posts System Specs	You could always try it out with a usb or cd __________________ My Heat Natural Selection 2 (NS2) - FPS/RTS with depth. Link. Studios and publishers seem to have forgotten that games are supposed to be games, not CG films with playable action scenes. Link.

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Jul 18, 2012, 09:14 AM	#9
olstyle Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 69 (0.03/day) Thanks: 7 Thanked 10 Times in 9 Posts	I am using Linux Mint(Debian Edition) on my Thinkpad T40 right now(MATE desktop environment). Works like a charm and the Mint-Menu is very similar to the windows experience.

Aug 3, 2012, 09:27 AM	#10
Pehla Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: brčko dc/bosnia and herzegovina Posts: 241 (0.57/day) Thanks: 90 Thanked 61 Times in 47 Posts System Specs	from my expirience i never had problems with wi-fi..,and i try many versions of linux!to be honest i never had any problems with any driver!!! BUT u must know if u watch video on youtube on xp fine,on linux it will not be case! i think its flash for linux that sucks! and belive me try pupy for that laptop,it will impres u for it speed! u can ALWAYS live bot some os that u like and chek driver isue,and chek desktop expirience

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Aug 3, 2012, 09:30 AM	#11
Pehla Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: brčko dc/bosnia and herzegovina Posts: 241 (0.57/day) Thanks: 90 Thanked 61 Times in 47 Posts System Specs	im sry i must add one thing! with linux u have no problems with defragmenting(witch ur mom will never do),and cleaning registry just to improve speed of os! all o got to do is install and ur maintance free!! did i mention u dont need antivirus,witch will slow down bot time and response time

Aug 3, 2012, 10:08 AM	#13
pr0n Inspector Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,193 (0.73/day) Thanks: 65 Thanked 139 Times in 107 Posts System Specs	spec? 8-yo hardware should be well-supported if they're mainstream. Also, Arch Linux all the way! __________________ Are you sure you want to cancel this action? OK / Cancel

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Aug 3, 2012, 10:12 AM	#14
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Aug 6, 2012, 06:41 PM	#16
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Aug 6, 2012, 10:55 PM	#19
Jetster Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,879 (2.35/day) Thanks: 941 Thanked 865 Times in 633 Posts System Specs	Linux Mint will have the support you need. Use the DVD version if it has a DVD rom otherwise use the CD.The DVD had flash already installed and more drivers

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Aug 12, 2012, 07:22 AM	#20
T3RM1N4L D0GM4 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Italy Posts: 164 (0.11/day) Thanks: 24 Thanked 33 Times in 25 Posts System Specs	I say Lubuntu or Debian net-install + LXDE (or other lightweght DE like XFCE) __________________ *... Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened ...*

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Aug 12, 2012, 12:50 PM	#21
Melvis Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 2,929 (1.55/day) Thanks: 602 Thanked 459 Times in 381 Posts System Specs	Need the system spec dude so we can help ya out more. I run ubuntu on a very old laptop (2002-3 machine) and it runs fine on it. Specs are a P4 2.0GHz, 1GB RAM, 30GB HDD IDE, some mega ass crappy intel graphics 64MB or less? i cant remember and i use one of those old school wireless cards that you slide down into the side of the laptop? all working perfectly. The laptop doesnt have a DVD/CD drive, and wont boot from a USB drive, you ask how did you install the OS on it? i installed it from another computer, my old desktop, then put the HDD back into the laptop after it finished installing Ubuntu onto the laptop HDD via a USB connection and it booted up normally. Linux rocks!!

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Aug 24, 2012, 12:39 AM	#22
GoFigureItOut Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 90 (0.17/day) Thanks: 7 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts System Specs	Linux itself might not be able to detect or install the appropriate drivers for an older WiFi card, but shouldn't NDIS Wrapper overcome that? Or just buy a WiFi dongle.

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Aug 24, 2012, 12:42 AM	#23
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Case:	Antec SX830 EATX Case
Sound Card:	Creative Labs SB XFi Xtreme Music & SB PCI 512
PSU:	Antec NEO HE 500 Watt
Software:	Windows 7 Home Premium
Benchmarks:	Win 7 Eval. CPU 3.9 Ram 4.5 Graphics 6.0 HD 5.7

System Name:	Variable Linux Boxes
Processor:	e6550 Core 2 Duo
Motherboard:	P5KPL-AM EPU
Cooling:	stock
Memory:	2GB 800MHz DDR2
Video Card:	G73
Hard Disk:	128GB IDE 7200
Optical Drive:	DVD-RW
CRT/LCD Model:	old Neovo LCD
Case:	HP 513n
Sound Card:	ALSA
PSU:	300W Dell
Software:	Slackware 13.37 & FOSS
Benchmarks:	N/A

Aug 28, 2012, 12:14 PM	#25
Chevalr1c Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Tilburg, Netherlands Posts: 2,059 (2.07/day) Thanks: 4,973 Thanked 786 Times in 532 Posts System Specs	If AntiX is based on Debian testing, getting Debian Sid with the LXDE desktop may be a better choice (the Sid branch is likely to be more stable than the testing branch while it is still pretty modern in terms of the recency of the software). LXDE is also a bit like old school Windows interfaces so that may be practical for the user of the laptop. Doing computer management will still not be "straightforward" compared to Windows though, as chamaecyparis stated. But because the topic starter has no Linux experience, installing Lubuntu or Linux Mint LXDE may be a better choice. __________________ My FS/FT thread (EU only) \| DynMap of the TPU Minecraft server \| Quick monitor calibration guide \| Boot Failure Troubleshooting Chart \| Solar Team Eindhoven Family Car Project Using BOINC I crunch numbers for World Community Grid, Climateprediction, Free Rainbow Tables and POEM@home; hence assisting research.