Jump to content

A making a old computer into a linux machine.

CM7
By CM7
in Off Topic
 Share
Posted

Do you think I should get this old IBM ThinkCentre Tower for a discounted price making it $30. I was thinking about booting it up with either xubuntu or linux mint If I could. If so I do have a old Dell Dimension C521 that might have a fried motherboard, but I think the ram might be ok. I would mostly be just browsing the internet and maybe streaming videos/tinkering. Thanks for the help :)

Overkill Chill:

CPU: Intel® Core™ i5-3450 CPU with Hyper 212evo | RAM:  2 x 4 GB DDR3 MoBo: ASRock H61M-DGS R2.0 | PSU: Rosewill PHOTON 750W | GPU: SAPPHIRE DUAL-X R9 280 3GB | Case: Antec One Gaming | Storage: Kingston HyperX 120gb, Seagate 2 TB | OS: Windows 10 | Displays:  Asus VS228H-P, Hp 2009m
Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/300186-a-making-a-old-computer-into-a-linux-machine/
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Should prolly work. If Mint is too demanding then just keep moving down to less and less intensive versions like puppy linux.

Well that (de)escalated quickly...

 

try arch ;)

"Unofficially Official" Leading Scientific Research and Development Officer of the Official Star Citizen LTT Conglomerate | Reaper Squad, Idris Captain | 1x Aurora LN


Game developer, AI researcher, Developing the UOLTT mobile apps


G SIX [My Mac Pro G5 CaseMod Thread]

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

Well that (de)escalated quickly...

try arch ;)

Thanks I try both. Now the only thing I'm wondering it why there isn't a Linux section in the forums.. Like we have a console section, but no Linux? Lol

Overkill Chill:

CPU: Intel® Core™ i5-3450 CPU with Hyper 212evo | RAM:  2 x 4 GB DDR3 MoBo: ASRock H61M-DGS R2.0 | PSU: Rosewill PHOTON 750W | GPU: SAPPHIRE DUAL-X R9 280 3GB | Case: Antec One Gaming | Storage: Kingston HyperX 120gb, Seagate 2 TB | OS: Windows 10 | Displays:  Asus VS228H-P, Hp 2009m
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Thanks I try both. Now the only thing I'm wondering it why there isn't a Linux section in the forums.. Like we have a console section, but no Linux? Lol

there is the coding section, and also operating systems :)

"Unofficially Official" Leading Scientific Research and Development Officer of the Official Star Citizen LTT Conglomerate | Reaper Squad, Idris Captain | 1x Aurora LN


Game developer, AI researcher, Developing the UOLTT mobile apps


G SIX [My Mac Pro G5 CaseMod Thread]

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

How easy was it? I want to turn my dell e1705 into a Linux machine.

I haven't picked up the computer yet. But it's not that hard to boot directly from a usb to test the os. Formatting a drive and installing the os is pretty simple too if you have nothing on the drive or you don't care about the data. Dual booting is a little more complicated, Because it seems like there are many ways to do it and it can differ with other computers. I am no expert to Linux so make sure to research. 

Overkill Chill:

CPU: Intel® Core™ i5-3450 CPU with Hyper 212evo | RAM:  2 x 4 GB DDR3 MoBo: ASRock H61M-DGS R2.0 | PSU: Rosewill PHOTON 750W | GPU: SAPPHIRE DUAL-X R9 280 3GB | Case: Antec One Gaming | Storage: Kingston HyperX 120gb, Seagate 2 TB | OS: Windows 10 | Displays:  Asus VS228H-P, Hp 2009m
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

I haven't picked up the computer yet. But it's not that hard to boot directly from a usb to test the os. Formatting a drive and installing the os is pretty simple too if you have nothing on the drive or you don't care about the data. Dual booting is a little more complicated, Because it seems like there are many ways to do it and it can differ with other computers. I am no expert to Linux so make sure to research. 

 

How are the drivers? Does it automatically search for them like my Win 8 ? The laptop is around 8 years old.

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

How are the drivers? Does it automatically search for them like my Win 8 ? The laptop is around 8 years old.

depends on the form of Linux just make sure that everything is in working order while test booting off the usb, wi-fi, webcam any other built in functionalities. I had no problem booting Xubuntu on my old hp desktop after I replaced the drive after it failed. I was even able to get my wireless printer to work on the old thing. Also look at the minimum system requirements for the Linux you plan to run. If you need anymore help, I would suggest you go to the operating systems section. You might be able to find a more experienced person to help ;)    

Overkill Chill:

CPU: Intel® Core™ i5-3450 CPU with Hyper 212evo | RAM:  2 x 4 GB DDR3 MoBo: ASRock H61M-DGS R2.0 | PSU: Rosewill PHOTON 750W | GPU: SAPPHIRE DUAL-X R9 280 3GB | Case: Antec One Gaming | Storage: Kingston HyperX 120gb, Seagate 2 TB | OS: Windows 10 | Displays:  Asus VS228H-P, Hp 2009m
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

depends on the form of Linux just make sure that everything is in working order while test booting off the usb, wi-fi, webcam any other built in functionalities. I had no problem booting Xubuntu on my old hp desktop after I replaced the drive after it failed. I was even able to get my wireless printer to work on the old thing. Also look at the minimum system requirements for the Linux you plan to run. If you need anymore help, I would suggest you go to the operating systems section. You might be able to find a more experienced person to help ;)    

 

 

I got Ubuntu on my dell e1705! 

Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

I got Ubuntu on my dell e1705! 

it's great to hear that it worked out for you.

Overkill Chill:

CPU: Intel® Core™ i5-3450 CPU with Hyper 212evo | RAM:  2 x 4 GB DDR3 MoBo: ASRock H61M-DGS R2.0 | PSU: Rosewill PHOTON 750W | GPU: SAPPHIRE DUAL-X R9 280 3GB | Case: Antec One Gaming | Storage: Kingston HyperX 120gb, Seagate 2 TB | OS: Windows 10 | Displays:  Asus VS228H-P, Hp 2009m
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

it's great to hear that it worked out for you.

 

Thank you! It was hard in the beginning because I kept getting an error . But once I put the installer on a USB booter it worked like a charm!. I am currently trying to get State of Decay but it says the platform is not supported; I am going to run wine tonight.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing Off Topic

×