I have tried loading kodi/xbmc by using synaptic package mgr and lubuntu software centre also tried apt-get but none will work.I have cleaned out the old packages each time but the installs keep failing, I had to 'forcepae -- forcepae' to install the dist - am I trying to put too much on old system or is it purely inexperience?
Any help thankfully received.

Yep. XMBC and KODI are probably,, (I am guessing because I have a pentium M panasonic CF-48 toughbook with 1.2 gig of ram in a bag), way to heavy for a install with Ubuntu Unity running along with all the other services running
at the same time.

in terminal should show what your ram and cpu are exerting while running the Kodi and XMBC install if you care to test and see what I mean.

Include a link to your system specs like a review or what ever so members here can see what your system specs look like. Just to be sure. Example on my panasonic cf-48 toughbook to give you a idea

https://www.cnet.com/products/panaso...-256-mb-20-gb/

2nd edit: https://www.cnet.com/products/toshib...-series/specs/

yeah. 512MB of ram is not enough to handle running Unity and XMBC or Kodi at the same time,

Thanks for reply, I have 2gb ram - processor is 1.60ghz.
I tried Kodibuntu but that os flashed on and off on the screen when I tried to run the kodi part of it. I was wondering if the graphics weren't up to it. Now on Ubuntu it just doesn't load all the way thru. I seem to be going round in circles..... starting to get a little dizzy!

Just to see if this is lighter on running on old gear.

Give this a try/ You will still be running Ubuntu.

http://linuxpitstop.com/install-chro...ome-ubuntu-os/

Crap. The iso download link is no good. Give me a minute.

Ok, name change because of what ever.

Based on Ubuntu 14.04 instead though.

https://cublinux.com/download/

if Ubuntu 16.04 based is your druthers. I guess

https://www.linuxliteos.com/download.html

You will want the version 3 32bit download iso.
I always md5sum check my iso downloads before installing them.

Edit. Oooops, Here is their manual

https://www.linuxliteos.com/manual/

Just to reiterate.

Kodi and XMBC are probably too much stress on your cpu.
Not the ram.

Probably need a better laptop for that kind of application to install, load and run.


On my pentium m laptop. I just run instead

http://www.smtube.org/

On my AntiX Linux install on it.

Many thanks for the alternative choices, will give them a try as time permits.