Long time lurker first time poster. Someone has asked me to convert an old Acer Aspire 5570Z to using Linux Mint. What information should I come equipped with before beginning this conversion? I have done a few machines in my time but not something this old. Oh and also, the machine is not connected to the internet or ethernet, the drivers are missing on XP which is why they want to convert this to Linux to begin with. I’m familiar with boot from USB and such but any help/tips would be appreciated before getting under way.

Thanks in advance.

Update: Didn't work. When I boot from USB I just get a black screen with a blinking cursor...What's going on how can I fix this? Thx

Hi:

You'll want to include the specifications of that Acer so we can help you.
Include the CPU, GPU and the RAM:-

If the machine is that old Linux Mint might be to heavy of a distribution for that pc's architecture.
There are other distributions that are more lightweight like Lubuntu, Tiny Core, Puppy Linux and Slitaz.
You can find those distributions on Distrowatch.com.

-::-Once a distro is installed (depending on the nic) you may be able to get that Acer online.-::-

If you'd like to boot from usb I recommend using 'Unetbootin' it's very efficient and easy to use.
http://unetbootin.github.io/

Go into the BIOS on that Acer and set the machine to boot to usb and exit the BIOS. It should boot right into the distro you told Unetbootin to make bootable on your usb device.

Make sure that you check the integrity of the .iso image before you burn it or make it bootable.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Md5sum

There are a number of different options for Linux Mint. Some info at the page below. Click the Release notes link at the page below for more info on each.

http://www.linuxmint.com/download.php

I always make sure I am near a cat[56] cable when fiddling with old kit. Surely you can carry it to your router ?.

Regardless, that GMA 950 shared memory video will likely be a problem. Download Mint Mate - it will have the best chance of running. Fire up the liveUSB and have a look around; memory disk space, network card that sort of thing. If the liveUSB runs, it'll probably run ok when installed.
If it's really unconnected, and you find you need package(s) you'll have to download them elsewhere and sneaker-net them across and install from a USB.

Thanks Ztcoracat,

Here's the info for the machine:

CPU: Intel T2080 1.73 GHz 797 MHz
GPU: Could not find info through dxdiag, only has 800x600 display res, main driver is vga.dll. It says "System using generic video driver"
RAM: 0.99 GB RAM

Currently running Win XP Pro Build 2600

Specs for responces.

http://www.miniputer.com/Acer/Aspire_5570.html

at a casual glance. Everything should be fine for installing Mint 17.3 (Mate or XFCE would be my choice, not Cinnamon)

Link

Go get ubuntu or fedora instead.

I agree xfce4 or mate desktop on a popular used linux base, debian, or a close derivative- it should work find, I was running Debian on an old acer d250 netbook 1.6Mhz cpu, that worked fine.

then changed my desktop to openBox -> CrunchBang after I got more familiar with the os.

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