Hi,
My name is Omar, and totally new to linux platform. I have a old Acer emachine, CPU Intel Atom N270, IGB Ram, 160GB Hardisk runing Windows XP for home. I cannot use it anymore as it is not supported anymore, I am locked down at home working from home and wanted to learn a new skill. Hence the question: I would like to instal PC-BSD on it to see what it can do to give a new lease of life to this laptop and hopefully convert my daughter to use it.

I cannot find the correct PC-BSD ISO image for my computer from the official site:
../
x64/ 16-May-2020 07:17 -
CHECKSUMS.json 16-May-2020 07:17 1158
MANIFEST 16-May-2020 07:17 474
README 16-May-2020 07:17 6389

Can you please help me to find the correct one and what is the best method to download it with no errors please.
Regds, Omar

Welcome to LinuxQuestions.

The Intel Atom N270 is a low powered 32 bit CPU that dates back 10+ years or so. The actual PC-BSD distribution aka TrueOS has been discontinued and while you can install other BSD based operating systems for x86 systems I would suggest starting with something linux like Bodhi legacy or antiX which might be easier for your daughter to learn. If you really want a BSD based operating system then checkout FreeBSD, NomadBSD, MidnightBSD or maybe GhostBSD. I have not checked their minimum requirements other then a 32bit version.

4 members found this post helpful.

I'd recommend a Ubuntu derivative because the N270 had the poulsbo graphics bridge and I rarely found distributions which worked with that.

I also had Mint MATE Debian Edition.

Note that it is a 32-bit system. Your initial question citing 64-bit will not work in my humble opinion.

1 members found this post helpful.

Hi RTMister,
I downloaded Ubuntu 16.04_Live using UNetbootin and also mini.iso from the recommended Ubuntu site, copied all to a USB drive:
menu.c32
syslinux.cfg
cbnint
ubnkern
mini.iso
configured the laptop to boot off USB/Floppy

It would not boot off the USB. What am I missing?

I was hoping to use a linux operating system which has a graphical interface to configure and run Windows type applications like Excel, word, use google, watch movies and run apps similar to Pc-bsd for my daughter. Mostly to speed up this old laptop and use it. Regards, Omar

1 members found this post helpful.

That should work. Have to admit I'm not 100% versed in the result of files you'll see after burning, but that seems reasonable.

Some links to check your work:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/In...n/FromUSBStick
https://askubuntu.com/questions/1190...able-usb-boot/

1 members found this post helpful.

Hi Rtmistler,
I found the links helpful, in particular, this one: https://askubuntu.com/questions/1190...able-usb-boot/

I found by changing the order of the boot options on the BIOS it finally recognized the USB boot stick. Unfortunately, Ubuntu did not have a 32 bit version which would work, tried Peppermint with no success, finally Zorin Lite did the trick.

I managed to install Zorin OS Lite finally on the emachine, the issue was the bloody BIOS, it was not accepting the USB: FDD, hence started swapping the other boot options and presto one worked. Zorin Lite has a similar GUI as Windows and seems to work fine, it comes with Office suite and Firefox. I have checked outlook mail, Gmail, FB, streaming movies, they all work fine. However, the speeds of using all these applications in Linux is the same as Windows and not significantly faster as I thought it would be.

The plus factor is that I can re-use an old computer which I am happy. Thank you for your patience and time to help me. I do appreciate it very much. Omar

1 members found this post helpful.

Distros that I have used on an Atom 270 - AntiX - MX Linux - Devuan

Because you only have 1GB of ram, you will need to have at least a 1GB swap partition to run Linux with anything like a half decent speed, especially when on the internet.

https://antixlinux.com/

https://mxlinux.org/

https://www.devuan.org/

Hi Fatmac,
I installed antiX-19_386-full.iso via live usbs onto my Intel Atom N270 eMachine laptop, loaded fine but, cannot seem to get my wifi working, the pre-installed app Connman would not work, I then had to install ceni and wicd both were not pre-installed, however, both apps would not work either, I then removed connman and purged the files thinking this was causing the issue. Nothing doing, still in limbo cannot fix the wifi issue. It will work via ethernet cable though. It seems a lot of work just to get the wifi working. Also Antix does not seem to have a software center either, installed Synaptics but it not what I was looking for.

Installing s/w via the command prompts was fun as this was the first time I have used it (sudo apt-get install xx,sudo apt-get remove xx).

I would appreciate some help in getting Wifi to work, as Antix is certainly faster speed wise than Zorin.

Yes, connman isn't my favourite either, but it generally works.

Open the Control Centre - Network - Wifi Connect

Then when you see Connman, click on the Technologies - WiFi line box below Powered

You may need to click it on & off a couple of times before it sees your provider, then click on Wireless, at the top of the screen, it should change to Wireless Services, click on your providers name, then click connect, you'll need to enter your details, then click on your provider again, & then on connect - that should do it.

P.S. There is a package installer app under Control Centre - System - Package Installer, when you enter your password, you will be able to select from a listing. (Click on the little pointer on the left.)

BTW - You should download the latest version 19.2. It comes with ceni and connman.