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Thread ID: 124934 2012-05-28 11:27:00 Linux For Old HP Laptop? Winston001 (3612) Press F1
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1277959 2012-05-28 11:27:00 So....never tried Linux. However my 10yr HP NX9005 still runs well on XP but is slow. I could reload Windows except I can't find the installation CD. Yes Jellybean would yield the registration key.

Still, how about my trying a Linux OS. Obviously a light version since this is an old machine - from memory (excuse the accidental pun) it has 500MB RAM.

Any suggestions? Can I run a Linux instal without a complete reinstal, just to try it out? Ie keep XP in the background on the HD.
Winston001 (3612)
1277960 2012-05-28 11:43:00 you can happily run a live cd or usb of many distributions. Given the age I doubt it'll boot from USB, so flick together a few CD's of various distributions (or run them in a virtual machine with similar specs to the laptop) and see which you like most.
Ubuntu and mint are two I've played around with, though I'm using their KDE versions (looks more like windows) wheras GNOME is the normal linux interface.

There are some really tiny distros like puppy and damn small linux, though they'll be certainly limited in their functionality.
8ftmetalhaed (14526)
1277961 2012-05-28 13:07:00 I wouldn't recommend Damn Small Linux as it hasn't been supported for some time now. I use Puppy Linux on my old Celeron 500. It runs reasonably on that. I used Ubuntu 10.04 with the Xfce desktop environment (Gnome was a bit too much for it) on my niece's old Sony laptop (P4 2.8Ghz, 500Mb ram). Have a look at Xubuntu: distrowatch.com

As for installation options ... I think a dual boot setup would be best if you want to keep XP on it too.
Rod J (451)
1277962 2012-05-28 14:06:00 wheras GNOME is the normal linux interface.
Sorry but where do you get that BS from.

You could give PCLinuxOS Minime (www.pclinuxos.com) a try from a live CD and then if you like it install to HD. Before doing so do a clean up and defrag of the Windows drive so you create a nice clean bit of free space.
mikebartnz (21)
1277963 2012-05-28 21:21:00 Well my apologies for not knowing everything about linux. Get off my back. 8ftmetalhaed (14526)
1277964 2012-05-29 00:52:00 Well my apologies for not knowing everything about linux. Get off my back.
didn't know I was on it.
mikebartnz (21)
1277965 2012-05-29 01:52:00 Puppy is quite well featured I have used it from time to time and it has all the features you require gary67 (56)
1277966 2012-05-31 11:23:00 Thanks guys, appreciated. I shall experiment. Winston001 (3612)
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