Repartitioning a used drive

wpeckham · 03-28-2020, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrmazda

9 years old isn't all that old in the scheme of hardware support. There shouldn't be any material difference between Ubuntu and Fedora hardware support, but there could be a minor difference. The underlying foundations of those two distros is quite a bit different. Normally I prefer Fedora to Ubuntu, but in the case of 9 years old, I'd expect Ubuntu to be the better, if there was any significant difference. If it was me, I'd go next to AntiX or MX if my normal distro of choice proved inadequate.

Second that. I am ruinning an old HP Compaq nc6400 (Centrino Dua with came with 1G now running 4G ram) somewhat ancient laptop made for WinXP just new enough to support 64 bit. I have run SpakyLinux, Q4OS, Mint (and MintDE), Debian, Puppy, Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Lubuntu, TinyCore, VSIDO, KolobriOS, FreeDos, and Elementary Linux on this and am considering Manjaro Plasma/KDE next. I did not like ALL of them (Ubuntu can be a real dog) but they all installed properly and ran well enough that there was no issue with keyboard, mouse, or display.

Not all hardware ages equally well, but as long as it still works properly most distributions should support your hardware. (Exception being WIFI, some WIFI hardware is seriously unfriendly to set up properly. It can be done, but it may take more than a click and go.)

jrysatx · 03-28-2020, 10:15 PM

Researching Dual Graphics question. The laptop has a Radeon™ HD 6520G Graphics card. Not yet sure if this is dual graphics but could very well be. I have tried to reinstall Unbutu and will again to run the code in an X session. I have a pdf of the computer specs, and can send or paste all or some at your preference. I apologize if too many specs here, but if you need or want more, I can send.

I'll be honest, I haven't used Unix let alone Linex since 2001 so I am behind the eight ball on commands, software, and hardware. Case in point, I have no idea what you mean by AntiX or MX if my normal distro of choice proved inadequate.

Specs:
Satellite L775D Detailed Product Specification1
Model Name: L775D-S7132 Part Number: PSK40U-03700P UPC: 883974988341
Operating System C1 2
• Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit, SP1
Processor3 and Graphics4
VISION Technology from AMD
• AMD Quad-Core A6-3420M Accelerated Processor with AMD
Radeon™ HD 6520G Graphics
o 1.5GHz base(2.4 GHz with AMD Turbo Core Technology), 4MB
Cache
Memory5
• Configured with 4GB DDR3 1333MHz (max 8GB)
• 2 main memory slots. Both slots occupied.
Storage Drive6
• 640GB (5400 RPM); Serial ATA hard disk drive
Fixed Optical Disk Drive7
• DVD SuperMulti drive supporting 11 formats
o Maximum speed and compatibility: CD-ROM (24x), CD-R (24x),
CD-RW (24x), DVD-ROM (8x), DVD-R (8x), DVD-R DL (6x),
DVD-RW (6x), DVD+R (8x), DVD+R DL (6x), DVD+RW (8x),
DVD-RAM (5x).
Display8
• 17.3” diagonal widescreen TruBrite® TFT display at 1600 x 900 native
resolution (HD+)
o Native support for 720p content
o 16:9 aspect ratio
o LED backlit
Sound
• Built-in stereo speakers
• MaxxAudio® LE
Input Devices
• Premium Keyboard with 10-Keypad (black)
• Touch pad pointing device with multi-touch control

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrmazda

Does this laptop have dual graphics, as so many of the past decade's laptops do? Us knowing your laptop's specs might suggest something that might cause loss of input functions.

Code:

inxi -Fxxza

run from within an X session and pasted here using code tags ( [ # ] above the input window ) would provide this information.

mrmazda · 03-29-2020, 12:02 AM

The shell command you quoted, used in the manner described, would have given us the requested information in a format suited to helping us help you. From what you have provided, it appears unlikely you do have "dual graphics".