I know that this is an old laptop, but it still functions. I have a Dell Latitude C610 presently running Windows XP. I would like to install Linux, but every .iso file that I have tried, the keyboard and mouse all of a sudden become disabled. I can not proceed with the install.
None of the keys on the keyboard work, not even the Cap Lock.
Any idea as to which Linux version I can download and use?

Hi and welcome to LQ.

There are some good suggestions for that laptop model in another thread here: http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...p3-4175530490/

Thanks for the reply. I will double check your link. I have found a version of Linux called Linux Mint version 13 that seems to partially work. Newer versions do not give me my keyboard or mouse. I am having difficulties trying to get it to actually install and boot from the hard drive. But I will continue to work on sorting it out until I get to my next road block. Thanks again for your reply
Larry

3 more months to end-of-Life.


Try any recent LM version (or not) but I suggest it be an Xfce flavored desktop.
What does "partially work" mean?

Partially work, I mean that it loads from the .iso file and appears to install to the hard drive. It will not boot, yet. From the CD, I have full access to all folders on the screen and everything else seems to work. I have tried the Cinnamon and xfce version and both seem to do and function the same. Which is better and why?
Any newer version, 17, 18 the keyboard and mouse do not function. Only 32 bit works with this laptop.
I have tried LuBuntu, Stacki Linux, Ubuntu Linux and they all have the same keyboard/mouse issue.
Thanks, Larry

Cinnamon versus XFCE - basically whichever you like best.

On an old or slow machine XFCE will run faster, but if you can run Cinnamon the GUI aspects are better (in my opinion).

Thanks

Hey Larry - I've repeatedly had success with Arch on antique (circa 1998) laptops ... If the Arch way seems too complex for you, I've heard others recommend Antergos, an Arch derivative, as being very easy to install. Otherwise, some versions of Puppy Linux, especially the 2.14X series, was extremely forgiving of old hardware.

Best !

1 members found this post helpful.

Thanks, I will give it a try.

n7rgw,

I can strongly recommend the 32 bit version of antiX-16 for older hardware:

http://antix.mepis.org/index.php?title=Main_Page

http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=antix

Downloads:
http://antix.mepis.org/index.php?tit...Page#Downloads

FAQs:
http://download.tuxfamily.org/antix/...FAQ/index.html

1 members found this post helpful.

Thank you. I will definitely try antiX-16.
Larry

Neither antiX-16.1_386-base nor archlinux-2017.01.01-dual worked. In both cases, the keyboard and mouse ceased to work. So far only Linux Mint 13.1 seems to install and function, but I can not yet get it to boot from the hard disk.
Any other thoughts or suggestions?
Thanks.

Wow. This laptop is a tough nut to crack ... Out of curiosity I looked it up and it's a Pentium III based machine, so probably circa 1999. May be a challenge :-)

As previously mentioned, I had some 1998 Pentium II and III Thinkpads running on 2 different distros:

1) One was on Arch, but a 2012-era installation with the linux kernel less than or equal to 3.1.

2) The other distro that worked well was a specific version of Puppy Linux called the 2.14x (or "Classic Pup") series, which the maintainer (ttuuxxx) kept compatible with old hardware while attempting to keep the applications reasonably updated. It was surprisingly functional and performed well on old hardware. It IS, however, Puppy, with all of its quirks ... best to read up on how it is normally "installed" (i.e.: not at all or "frugally") and used, before deciding if it is for you. If I hadn't found that Arch worked, I would probably have kept using it on those old laptops.

At any rate, I would encourage you to explore these 2 options. Old Arch ISO's can be found online and find Classic Pup 2.14x at http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=42553.

* EDIT * ... On second thought, an old Arch ISO is probably not a good idea. As soon as you try to install packages (ex.: X and desktop environment), the system will prompt you to update a boatload of dependencies, so even if your peripherals work initially, the update may break them. This is one of the caveats of rolling release distros. When you find an optimally working setup, you're best freezing it. Give Classic Pup a go ...

n7rgw,

Is it possible to connect a separate PS/2 keyboard?

You may also need to double-check that all your BIOS settings are correct and that there is nothing disabled which should be enabled.

You may need to disable the touchpad in the BIOS.

EDIT

You could also try Puppy Linux:
http://puppylinux.org/main/Overview%...%20Started.htm

NB You don't have to install Puppy (to hard disk) to use it.

Simply burn the ISO to CD/DVD and boot the PC or laptop with it.

I installed Puppy Linux and it works very well. I will have to figure out how to get it to boot from the hard drive, but I will play with this for a while.
Thanks for all your help.