LinuxQuestions.org - Help, may have a can of worms (or netbook)

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- - Help, may have a can of worms (or netbook) (https://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/general-10/help-may-have-a-can-of-worms-or-netbook-781987/)

So you computer has an ARM processor, not an x86 or x86_64 like most PCs.

This strongly limits your choice of distros. However I might suggest you try Debian, it has an ARM version.

Slackware also has an ARM distribution as does Ubuntu. I agree with MTK358, replace whatever is on there with something decent. It will save you a LOT of headaches in the long run.

get a friend to burn a iso of ubuntu for you
if you do not trust the computer
put it in install it now you can do any thing you like
hope that puts you at ease

I don't like to be the bearer of bad news, but most of the above posts are misleading, well intentioned based on mainstream x86 architecture experience, but not applicable to the box in question. What the user has is one of a number of badged versions of a box that runs an Alpha 400 processor and has either a 1Gb or 2Gb nand storage device. It does not even have a conventional BIOS. Not being x86 compatible you can only use the (rare) OS binaries created for the box and cannot create a simple boot card /USB stream to upgrade.
Fortunately there is a dedicated web forum for the box (http://linuxlaptopforum.ark2webdesign.co.uk/index.php/) and members who have created a set of alternative distros. Search for 3MX or Retro on that forum for more information.