[SOLVED] best distro for old laptop

bsth123 · 03-20-2017, 10:28 AM

I have an old laptop that currently has xp on it. It's an IBM Thinkpad 1872. Is there any distro that might work on this laptop? The reason I want to try is that I want to learn different distros and possibly some troubleshooting and get more experience.

Code:

combinations” on page 55
Specifications
The following table lists the specifications of the ThinkPad
T43 series:
Feature Description
Processor v Intel® Pentium® M processor 730 (1.6
GHz), 2-MB L2 cache
v Intel Pentium M processor 740 (1.73
GHz), 2-MB L2 cache
v Intel Pentium M processor 750 (1.86
GHz), 2-MB L2 cache
Bus architecture v 533-MHz PSB
v 533-MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-4200)
v HUB link
v PCI bus
v LPC bus
Graphic memory
chip
v Intel 915GM
Display v 14.1-inch, 16M colors, XGA (1024 × 768
resolution) TFT color LCD
v 15.0-inch, 16M colors, XGA (1024 × 768
resolution) TFT color LCD
v 15.0-inch, 16M colors, SXGA+ (1400 ×
1050 resolution) IPS (in-plane switching)
TFT color LCD
Standard memory v 256-MB DDR2-533 SDRAM SO-DIMM
(PC2-4200) card × 1
v 512-MB DDR2-533 SDRAM SO-DIMM
(PC2-4200) card × 1
v 1-GB DDR2-533 SDRAM SO-DIMM
(PC2-4200) card × 1
(continued)
Product overview
ThinkPad T43 Series 47
Feature Description
Optional memory v 256-MB DDR2-533 SDRAM SO-DIMM
(PC2-4200) card × 1
v 512-MB DDR2-533 SDRAM SO-DIMM
(PC2-4200) card × 1
v 1-GB DDR2-533 SDRAM SO-DIMM
(PC2-4200) card × 1
(maximum of 2048 MB)
CMOS RAM v 242 bytes
Hard disk drive v 30.0 GB, 4200 rpm, 9.5 mm high, IDE
interface
v 40.0 GB, 4200 rpm, 9.5 mm high, IDE
interface
v 40.0 GB, 5400 rpm, 9.5 mm high, IDE
interface
v 60.0 GB, 5400 rpm, 9.5 mm high, IDE
interface
v 80.0 GB, 5400 rpm, 9.5 mm high, IDE
interface
v 60.0 GB, 7200 rpm, 9.5 mm high, IDE
interface
Supported hard disk drives are depend on
the model.
Ultrabay Slim device
(standard)
v DVD drive, 9.5 mm high
v DVD/CD-RW combo drive, 9.5 mm high
v DVD-RAM/RW drive, 9.5 mm high
Fingerprint reader Some models
I/O port v External monitor connector
v Stereo headphone jack
v Monaural microphone jack
v Infrared port
v Parallel connector
v Docking connector
v RJ11 connector
v RJ45 connector
v TV-out connector (S-Video)
v Universal serial bus (USB) connector × 2
(compatible with USB 1.1 and 2.0)
Internal modem v 56.6 Kbps
Audio v Built-in stereo speakers
v Software control volume
Infrared transfer v IrDA 1.1
Ethernet (on the
system board)
v Gigabit Ethernet
(continued)
Product overview
48 MT 1871/1872/1873/1874/1875/1876
Feature Description
Mini PCI adapter v Intel PRO Wireless 2200BG Mini-PCI
Adapter
v Intel PRO Wireless 2915ABG Mini-PCI
Adapter
PC Card
/ExpressCard slots
v ExpressCard (34 module, 54 module) for
upper slot
v PC Card (Type-II) for lower slot
Communication
daughter card
(CDC)
v ThinkPad Integrated 56K Modem
(MDC-2)
v ThinkPad Integrated Blue

thanks

rokytnji · 03-20-2017, 10:55 AM

What I use on my IBM T23 which is even older.

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

Edit: Just a heads up. Newer Firefox 52 requires pentium 4 cpu and sse2 cpu support.

Just use the 45 esr version in AntiX and it is updated daily so no worries there.

It comes in a stock install so no hoops to jump through to run firefox 45 esr.

Look in you tube for run with the dolphins you tube channel for how tos.

bsth123 · 03-20-2017, 11:08 AM

Thanks. I like the fact that it's based on Debian. I even found a site with very cheap upgrades for the thinkpad if I want. I'll definitely check you tube.

szboardstretcher · 03-20-2017, 11:14 AM

I would say Arch Linux

https://www.archlinux.org/

And anytime you have something old or out of the ordinary, NetBSD will probably run on it:

http://www.netbsd.org/

bsth123 · 03-20-2017, 11:32 AM

More good options. Since this is a learning experience I can try all of them and see which works best.

DavidMcCann · 03-20-2017, 01:00 PM

My Thinkpad X31 runs Salix, but I'd also recommend AntiX for those who like Debian (which I don't) or Arch. To save a couple of hours, you can install Arch with the ArchBang disk.

bsth123 · 03-20-2017, 02:07 PM

I tried to install arch on my two month old dell but I was having so many hardware issues I had to return it to be repaired. I'd like to give it another go. Plus tomorrow I'm getting a notebook I ordered so both computers should keep me busy.

szboardstretcher · 03-20-2017, 02:23 PM

I have my notes/copypastas that I use quite often to reload my arch installs over here at github: https://github.com/boardstretcher/arch_install

They are 'notes' though, not cleaned up or meant for anyone but me,.. but you might be able to use them as a reference to find out where you need to be next. Arch is famous for being well documented and having great wiki pages, be sure to start there: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Installation_guide

bsth123 · 03-20-2017, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by szboardstretcher

I have my notes/copypastas that I use quite often to reload my arch installs over here at github: https://github.com/boardstretcher/arch_install

They are 'notes' though, not cleaned up or meant for anyone but me,.. but you might be able to use them as a reference to find out where you need to be next. Arch is famous for being well documented and having great wiki pages, be sure to start there: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Installation_guide

Thanks!

Rickkkk · 03-20-2017, 03:48 PM

I'm a big fan and long time user of Arch Linux. Have used it on laptops as old as a ThinkPad 600E (1998 PII with 6GB hard disk and 384 MB RAM ...). You have to make sure that your hardware is supported by the latest kernel, however, since Arch is a bleeding edge rolling release distro. If all is good on the T43, then I would recommend it, since you say one of your objectives is learning Linux. Arch forces you to do your own homework quite a bit, so it's a good choice for that. Also, since you're basically building on an initial command-line only installation, you can choose how big, or small, you want your system to be.

If hardware support for the T43 is not there in more common distros (beware Savage / S3 graphics chips which are not longer supported properly in X more recent than 1.12, I believe ...), amongst the other suggestions in this thread, I can recommend Puppy Linux, especially the "Classic Pup" 2.14x series - excellent support for some *REALLY* old hardware ...

Cheers :-)

jefro · 03-20-2017, 03:51 PM

IBM's were well supported in linux way back. The only parts that may have an issue now may be the pcmcia or cardbus. I had to coax BeOS on one.

I might be tempted to try more than a few distro's. Xubuntu may work but you are running into a time limit. Some distro's are not updating their old 32 bit.

Not sure what choice you need either about PAE.

Ztcoracat · 03-20-2017, 07:21 PM

Anti-X was designed for older machines. I suggest giving it a spin.

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

bsth123 · 03-21-2017, 08:14 AM

My interest is really more about learning so there's no reason why I can't download and burn each one of them. It's also depends on what I can find that is not 64 bit as was mentioned. How do I know which what will work? I just checked the arch download site and they only had the arch dual iso which I guess would support all artchitectures?

rtmistler · 03-21-2017, 08:18 AM

The tried and true Debian or a derivative, one favorite of mine is Mint Debian Edition.

Download a bunch, try them as live distributions.

bsth123 · 03-21-2017, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtmistler

The tried and true Debian or a derivative, one favorite of mine is Mint Debian Edition.

Download a bunch, try them as live distributions.

Good idea