BleepingComputer.com: Is my computer too old?

2 Pages
1
2
→

You cannot start a new topic
You cannot reply to this topic

Is my computer too old?

#1 rramsay

New Member

Group: Members
Posts: 3
Joined: 06-June 10

Posted 26 June 2010 - 11:28 AM

I have an aopen p3 computer that is ten years old, I've tried installing Ubuntu 10.4 several times and it won't take.

I've burned the cd's, bought a commercial version, tried to use wubi that won't work either, I bought a blank hard drive installed it and tried to load Ubuntu, no dice.

I did some work on two of my brother's computers and out of curiosity I slipped in the Ubuntu disc and they worked like a charm.

There are three things I could do 1. Buy a new computer. 2. Upgrade my mother board to a p4, or find an older version to use.
So, my question is which version should I try? Thanks.

#2 Capn Easy

Senior Member

Group: Members
Posts: 549
Joined: 20-November 08
Location:New Jersey

Posted 26 June 2010 - 01:13 PM

Option 4 -- try a different distro (unless you're tied to Ubuntu for some reason).

We just got wattOS running on my daughter's 10 year old Compaq Presario. It runs well, includes Abiword word processor and Gnumeric spreadsheet, and was pretty trouble free to test and install.

#3 the_patriot11

High Tech Redneck

Group: BC Advisor
Posts: 5,213
Joined: 03-February 09
Gender:Male
Location:Wyoming USA

Posted 26 June 2010 - 01:55 PM

I have found that OpenSuSe runs very well on older P3 systems, I used to run one myself, I would try that. If the latest release wont do it, use an earlier version.

Primary system: Motherboard: ASUS M4A89GTD PRO/USB3, Processor: AMD Phenom II x4 945, Memory: 8 gigs of Patriot G2 DDR3 1600, Video: ASUS ATI 4890 and a Saphire 4890 in Crossfire, Storage: 1 WD 500 gig HD, 1 Hitachi 500 gig HD, and Power supply: Coolermaster 750 watt, OS: Windows 7 ultimate 64 bit.
Media Center: Motherboard: Gigabyte mp61p-S3, Processor: AMD Athlon 64 x2 6000+, Memory: 6 gigs Patriot DDR2 800, Video: Saphire 4850, Storage: 500 gig Hitachi, PSU: OCZ Fatal1ty 550 watt modular PSU, OS: Windows 7 Ultimate.
If I don't reply within 24 hours of your reply, feel free to send me a pm.

#4 princess_sophia

Member

Group: Members
Posts: 53
Joined: 22-July 09
Gender:Female
Location:Chicago IL

Posted 26 June 2010 - 03:18 PM

Xubuntu is geared more towards older computers.

Welcome to McMalwareCrushers! Would you like to try our ultimate destruction combo for the low low price of FREE?

Over 00000000 satisfied customers!

"If there's a will, there's a way, if not then there is always linux".
"You are never too old to be a kid again".

#5 cryptodan

Bleepin Madman

Group: BC Advisor
Posts: 18,346
Joined: 08-September 08
Gender:Male
Location:Catonsville, Md

Posted 27 June 2010 - 08:55 AM

Can you provide us with some of the specs of the computer like the CPU, RAM, Motherboard, and stuff like that?

My work schedule is as follows: Mon and Tues 1800 to 0600, Friday - Sunday 1800EST to 0600, and Wednesday to Thursday 1800est to 0600. So if I do not respond right away I am at work.
----------------
If I am helping you, then Please Send Me a Message!with your thread link in it. This is only if I haven't replied back to you within 24 to 48 hours.
----------------
My Main Site || My Backup Site || steam://friends/add/cryptodan Add me to your Steam Friends.

#6 strolln

Senior Member

Group: Members
Posts: 400
Joined: 26-March 10
Gender:Male
Location:N. Calif.

Posted 27 June 2010 - 09:15 AM

I installed Ubuntu 10.04 on 2 P3 systems that I have and it works fine on both of them. Post the specs for your system please.

What happens when you try the install? Does the system hang or do you get an error message?

This post has been edited by strolln: 27 June 2010 - 09:16 AM

To Err is human; to really foul things up requires a Bleeping Computer!

#7 rramsay

New Member

Group: Members
Posts: 3
Joined: 06-June 10

Posted 27 June 2010 - 01:27 PM

I get the purple Ubuntu screen, the clock bar works for a while like it's going to load, then I get a black screen with a busy box message. After that everything comes to a dead stop. I think it's time to retire this old warhorse and go with something younger. Thanks.

#8 cryptodan

Bleepin Madman

Group: BC Advisor
Posts: 18,346
Joined: 08-September 08
Gender:Male
Location:Catonsville, Md

Posted 27 June 2010 - 01:30 PM

Does a Ubuntu LiveCD run on the P3?

#9 pcgeekguru

New Member

Group: Members
Posts: 5
Joined: 24-July 10

Posted 24 July 2010 - 12:32 AM

damn small linux is a good distro for old computers. it uses very minimal disk space and only uses 50 mb of ram. the only problem is that you would have to have a tech install it because the setup is in dos or what they call terminal mode in linux language.

This post has been edited by pcgeekguru: 24 July 2010 - 01:16 AM

#10 Senlis

Member

Group: Members
Posts: 31
Joined: 16-December 08
Gender:Male

Posted 30 July 2010 - 08:46 AM

I'll back up what princess_sophia said and suggest XUbuntu first. It is an easier solution for older computers, and it that doesn't work for you then try OpenSuse and damn small linux.

#11 Guest_SteinPooch_*

Group: Guests

Posted 30 July 2010 - 10:51 AM

Xubuntu worked great on an old P3 computer of my friends.... I love it personally. On my powerhouse (more like power hungry house) I run it to make all my apps like uber fast.

#12 AustinTerry

Forum Regular

Group: Members
Posts: 275
Joined: 30-November 07
Gender:Male
Location:Austin, TX

Posted 30 July 2010 - 02:07 PM

I would second the motion on Xubuntu also...

Triple booting - Windows XP Professional, Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit, Ubuntu 10.04 Lucid Linx

#13 JonM33

Senior Member

Group: Banned
Posts: 503
Joined: 28-July 10
Gender:Male

Posted 02 August 2010 - 06:00 PM

rramsay, on Jun 26 2010, 12:28 PM, said:

Have you tried Linux Mint?

#14 ReviverSoft

Happy to help!

Group: BC Advisor
Posts: 1,524
Joined: 09-December 09
Gender:Male
Location:Somewhere on this planet...

Posted 02 August 2010 - 06:52 PM

I really think you should give Xubuntu a try.

P3 isn't too bad. I have an old HP notebook running off a 1Ghz P3 proccy and 256mb of RAM. And guess what? It's runs Win XP SP3.

This post has been edited by ReviverSoft: 02 August 2010 - 06:53 PM

ReviverSoft - Happy to help!