Install Linux Mint in laptop with Windows XP Home Deition

oscarfrosty · 01-17-2015, 09:24 PM

Hi,
Some years ago I purchased a Lenova laptop model #8922 which, when purchased, was equipped with Windows XP Home Edition.
As is widely known, support for XP has now finished and I would like to load into the Lenova the Linux Mint but I am not sure how to go about this.
Any tips or information would be a great help.
Regards,
Oscarfrosty.

frankbell · 01-17-2015, 09:40 PM

These videos from Linux Voice might help. The first one is a general intro to Linux; the second is about installing Linux Mint; the third is about getting your feet wet with Mint.

The Mint install will ask you whether you want to install along side the existing OS or replace the existing OS (I can't remember the exact wording). It sounds as if you want to replace the existing OS.

Mint is a fine distro and a good way to get started with Linux.

Good luck and welcome to LQ, the friendliest Linux place on the inner webs.

jross · 01-17-2015, 09:45 PM

The only Mint version that an XP machine would likely handle is the XFCE. What are the specs for the computer? You may be better off with Lubuntu 14.04.

syg00 · 01-17-2015, 09:56 PM

Quick search indicates it may be running a GMA video chipset - erk. But it's only XGA.
Download the Mint image and run it as a liveCD/liveUSB and see if everthing works. It'll be slow as it runs totally from the CD/USB, but it'll also be pretty slow when installed due to old/limited hardware.

rokytnji · 01-17-2015, 11:25 PM

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/LaptopTestin...00C200_8922AZG

I'd run Salix Fluxbox or Openbox before Mint or Lubuntu.

It runs on my little Atom N270 pretty snappy. Antix 13.2 or Semplice

on 512MB of ram should be OK also for a begineer.

Salix is cli/text installer. AntiX and Semplice have a gui (window type) installer. I'd bump the ram to 1gig if it was me though.

Edit. Since you reside in Australia. It might benefit you to join Murga Forums since a Lot of Puppy developers and users hail from your country.
You might get lucky and live in the same territory as some of them.

Good luck with it.

joe_2000 · 01-18-2015, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jross

The only Mint version that an XP machine would likely handle is the XFCE. What are the specs for the computer? You may be better off with Lubuntu 14.04.

I have an old 2005 Dell Inspiron in my drawer which I sometimes use to try out things. With 1GB Ram it handles Mint Cinnamon without any problems...

frankbell · 01-18-2015, 08:27 PM

My Dell Mini 9 which I'm giving to my daughter handles Mint MATE okay, but it runs noticeably better with LXDE.

Her only experience is with Windows, so I'm not going to put a window manager like Fluxbox on it.