Can i install Linux on an old Laptop that no longer boots winndows XP?

-J-P- · 03-14-2009, 11:45 AM

I Have an old Toshiba Portege 7020CT Laptop which will no longer load XP and i no longer have the system disc. Is it possible for me to install Linux through DOS?

Thanks

repo · 03-14-2009, 11:50 AM

Hi,

Welcome to LQ
Just download a live cd from the distribution of your choice, burn it to CD an boot from the CD
So you can see if everything works, and install it to HD if needed.
For older laptops, I would suggest to take a look at
http://www.desktoplinux.com/articles/AT6185716632.html

lwasserm · 03-14-2009, 12:29 PM

I see that the 7020CT is a Pentium 2 366Mhz with 64MB ram standard/192MB max.

You will need a lightweight distribution like puppy, DSL, etc for that system. Recent full-boat distributions like ubuntu, fedora, etc. will not install or run on such a system. (Not with X or gui, anyway) If you can install the maximum ram any distribution will run better.

pixellany · 03-14-2009, 12:45 PM

If it had only 64MB RAM, how would it have run XP?---Even with the max 192 it must have been pretty marginal.

colorpurple21859 · 03-14-2009, 12:58 PM

the first issue of xp would run on 64mb after you install all the updates it will be so slow to be unusable. once you get to know linux. slack12.1 with fluxbox window manger, and a light install of debian with a lightweght window manager will also work. Just harder to setup and use for someone unfamiliar with linux. puppy or dsl will work I prefer puppy because it uses newer kernels and for me was easier to use but that's just an opinion

-J-P- · 03-14-2009, 01:33 PM

I downloaded DSL and went to run it, it started off well but eventually came up with an error to do with the Hard Drive. I think this Hard Drive problem might be why it stopped booting XP in the first place so without a new Hard Drive the laptop is probably useless...

repo · 03-14-2009, 01:53 PM

Quote:

first place so without a new Hard Drive the laptop is probably useless...

try puppy, it can run from memory, no HD needed.
DSL can also run from memory though

rich_c · 03-14-2009, 03:23 PM

antiX might be pretty good on that. Use it as a Live CD & either have a go at fixing the problematical hard disk or get it replaced. Also, a little more ram would be nice...