can't install an os

[StalePie42]

I have an old laptop and I wanted to try and install Linux on it the laptop inn question is so old that it only half a gig of ram I just wanted to know do all laptops support booting from a usb stick or do old laptops require that the os be downloaded with a dvd?

[OhioYJ]

25 minutes ago, StalePie42 said:

do all laptops support booting from a usb stick or do old laptops require that the os be downloaded with a dvd?

No, booting from USB has not always been a thing. Some devices you will need to boot from a CD or DVD. I've had some of those devices been able to boot from an SD card (even when plugged into a USB adapter), as they treat those almost like a hard drive, rather than a flash drive? It's very hit or miss. However it's going to just depend on the laptop. Don't be surprised if you need a CD / DVD.

 

Also if it's that old, don't be surprised if you need an old version of Linux. Many modern version of distros have started dropping support for older hardware. Several of the distros keep old versions. Generally I try the Mirrors, for example here is the James Madison University Linux Mint Mirror, it goes back to version 7.  You probably don't need to go back that far though. Try the latest version, see if that works, if it doesn't I'd try 17.3 before I went older.

 

If the hardware is not up to the task of something as heavy as Mint, the XFCE desktop is lighter. However you should be able to find old versions for any distro pretty much the same way.

[StalePie42]

9 minutes ago, OhioYJ said:

No, booting from USB has not always been a thing

Thanks I thought that may be the case.

[almost.lunatic]

no, booting with usb hasn't always been a thing. check bios of the laptop.  it should be under boot or system.