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Probably a very obvious question: I want to install Linux on an old Toshiba laptop, just really for a try-out. I have used Linux before pre-installed on an Asus netbook, and briefly dabbled with OpenSUSE
I really want to try OpenSUSE butI have a question, in general terms, once I install Linux on the laptop, do I need to look for new drivers for it? Do most computer need Linux specific drivers? It seems a general question, but I googled it a few times but can't find any obvious answers.
Help appreciated
The Linux kernel should contain most, if not all, of the drivers your laptop requires. There is the exception of video drivers. Without knowing the model of your Toshiba laptop, it is difficult to help you figure out what drivers may be missing. Also, drivers in Linux are called kernel modules.
Thanks. It's a Toshiba laptop and quite old. It's got a fireplace and shovel where the battery should be haha!.
I haven't f fully got my hands on it yet so I'll post more later.
Thank you for your help
I doubt you will have much luck with Opensuse if the hardware is really old. Old means different things to different people. The link below shows the minimum required for the current release of Opensuse.
First link in my signature may help some?
(Free as in freedom,,, to try at least 10* ++DE\WM &c! )
I have not used SUSE for a while but they include proprietary drivers, right? (Plus: LTS, testing and experimental...)
Have fun!
Last edited by jamison20000e; 05-09-2016 at 10:22 AM.
To get the Laptop specs, just flip the Laptop over and you will find the model number. Which can be used to find online specs that you should provide back to us to help us to help you.
Trying to revive an old Dell computer from 2004, I have tried OpenSUSE, Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Lubuntu and finally elementary OS, which turned out to work best. Lubuntu was too primitive, and the others too slow (although it also depends on the choice of desktops). With elementary I have so far had no driver problems.
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