Linux or XP to revive flagging laptop?

[Bone_Idle]

I've been given an oldish laptop (not sure of specs but suspect it's a Celeron m1.6 processor and maybe 512meg of ram.)

It's the in-laws old one which they've replace as it's pretty much ground to a halt.

What would be the best way to revive it? I am considering installing Ubuntu to replace XP, but would a clean XP install be a better option?

There are various 'lite' versions of Ubuntu, would one of these be a better bet?

[Rhys]

I had a similar AMD specced desktop which I put Ubuntu on. XP was painfully slow at the time so on went the Linux. It booted up in about 30 seconds compared to the minutes it used to take. Planet Penguin Racer was the best excuse to install Ubuntu btw. I used to use it to surf the net with firefox as I have a laptop for photo stuff (photoshop, dreamweaver etc).

Lets face it, give it a go and if you don't like it just shove XP back on. If you are going to wipe it anyway your not loosing anything are you?

Oh, and I'd put the full version of Ubuntu on - I don't think it takes up that much room.

[BigWill]

Either OS should run fine on a 1.6ghz cpu with 512mb RAM (which is still a pretty decent spec for a pc not running Vista). I'm currently running Ubuntu Linux via a modular HD on my Dell Latitude C640 which has a 1.8ghz P4 CPU and 1gb RAM though Ubuntu (9.04.....the latest version) runs fine on an older Dell Latitude C610 P3 1ghz with 512mb RAM which I have so you should have no problems at all running it on your laptop.

Windows XP should run equally well on that spec computer and it probably just needs a "clean install" of XP to get it up to speed again.

So to sum up, you can either have one or the other or even both OS's as Ubuntu Linux supports dual booting and only takes up less than 4gb of hard disk space.

If you're considering installing Ubuntu Linux, try running it from the CD first without installing it (it will do that ok) to see that it supports all your hardware first.

BigWill

P.S. You don't need the "lite" versions of Ubuntu for that spec of computer as it will happily run the full spec version on your laptop but make sure you don't have less than 512mb RAM first.

System requirements Ubuntu Linux 9.04 (Latest Version)

Ubuntu is available for PC, 64-Bit PC and Intel-based Mac architectures. At least 256 MB of RAM is required to run the alternate install CD (384MB of RAM is required to use the live CD based installer). Install requires at least 4 GB of disk space

[GeoffR]

Windoes XP has by now gained a considerable number of patches and updates, not to mention service packs. It is entirely possible that starting again, then installing the upgrades before any programs, will restore much of the performance. Though, if the PC will take a larger hard disk than it currently has I don't see that doing any harm either.

[BigWill]

"Though, if the PC will take a larger hard disk than it currently has I don't see that doing any harm either.".................as the OP didn't say what size of hard disk was already in the computer Geoff then I don't think we can assume that he needs a bigger disk?.........though that might of course be the case...................if it's anything smaller than say about 40gb then I personally think it would then be worth upgrading to a larger disk for an XP/Ubuntu/XP-Ubuntu dual boot install? Whaddya reckon Geoff?

BigWill

[GeoffR]

I was working on the principle that a computer with 1.6GHz and 512MB would probably have a fairly small, 40-80GB, hard disk. One I had with that spec had a 40GB disk as standard but would only go to 80GB so that was what I put in.

40GB is easily filled up these days, we took 24GB of photos in nine days, so a bigger hard disk on an older computer would be my starting bid, followed closely by more memory. Also, if you are going for a clean load of XP you might as well do it on a new hard disk.

[Benchista]

I wouldn't reinstall Windows - it's seldom a good solution for anything, and often introduces problems. If the hardware is reasonably standard, Linux might be a better bet; alternatively, just clean the current Xp installation by removing unnecessary crud and using a registry cleaner.

[APchris]

Linux IMO. I'm running Linux on my EeePC netbook - including image editing using The GIMP.
My desktop (old and running XP) is due for repacement and it'll be with a Linux machine (can you tell I'm a convert )

Whichever you decide, upgrading the RAM, preferably to the max it will take, is also worthwhile

[GeoffR]

I wouldn't reinstall Windows - it's seldom a good solution for anything, and often introduces problems. If the hardware is reasonably standard, Linux might be a better bet; alternatively, just clean the current Xp installation by removing unnecessary crud and using a registry cleaner.

You'd better tell our IT people, they think a rebuild is the magic cure for all computer ills! I've only ever rebuilt for two reasons, to remove all traces of Dixons demoware and when replacing a hard disk, I can think of nicer ways to spend a summer evening.

[BigWill]

Yep, I'd agree that a new hard disk is a good idea on a computer to eliminate any errors from that source and also as an upgrade if the current disk is small. Just make sure what the maximum disk size is that the BIOS supports before purchasing a larger disk.

As to upgrading the memory...............yes that would be nice but again it would require checking on the maximum RAM supported by the motherboard and to be honest I don't personally think you will see a great benefit by going over the existing 512mb system RAM with XP or Ubuntu unless the graphics grabs a large chunk of the system RAM if the PC uses shared graphics.

All food for thought. If I was the OP though I'd be inclined to leave the hardware as it is, do a fresh install of either XP or Ubuntu and see how it goes from there before committing to spending any money. (but then I'm as tight as a duck's ar*e anyway! )

BigWill

[Bone_Idle]

Thanks for all the advice. I've finally got my hands on the Laptop and it's a bit more basic than first though.

The spec is

Via C7-M 1.5Ghz processor
256meg ram (234 available)
20gig Hard drive - With the windows install and other software it only has 6gig free!

As you can see, the smaller the footprint for the OS the better.

[BigWill]

Thanks for all the advice. I've finally got my hands on the Laptop and it's a bit more basic than first though.

The spec is

Via C7-M 1.5Ghz processor
256meg ram (234 available)
20gig Hard drive - With the windows install and other software it only has 6gig free!

As you can see, the smaller the footprint for the OS the better.

XP and Ubuntu (the latest full version of Ubuntu and XP with service pack 3) actually have pretty similar sized footprints for the OS. However, Ubuntu will require 386mb RAM minimum whereas XP will run happily (if a tad slowly) with 256mb RAM as the shared graphics on your laptop only consumes 22mb (a slightly odd figure.........you sure there ain't 224 available not 234?) of the system RAM. I'd give serious consideration to upping the RAM though to 512mb or even more (BIOS and motherboard permitting) to give a better performance on XP whilst allowing the full version of Ubuntu to be installed and also increasing the HardDisk to a minimum of 40gb as 20gb is pretty paltry for any serious work. (both these items could be sourced cheaply on ebay for example). A clean install of XP will run fine on the existing hardware as will one of the "cut down" versions of Ubuntu but if it were me, I'd go for the RAM and HD upgrade option to make the laptop a more usable entity. Just bear in mind the points I raised in my earlier post re. maximum HD and memory sizes.

BigWill

[Bone_Idle]

I've already ordered some RAM, only cheap stuff £12.50 for 1Gig. I didn't think to check what the MB would support so hope it's ok.

Might have a look at HDD's over lunchtime, don't want to spend over £40 all in really.

[BigWill]

I've already ordered some RAM, only cheap stuff £12.50 for 1Gig. I didn't think to check what the MB would support so hope it's ok.

Might have a look at HDD's over lunchtime, don't want to spend over £40 all in really.

It should be ok provided the BIOS/motherboard doesn 't have a 512mb limit for the memory and that you've got the right type of memory to match what's already installed. 40gb and even 80gb disks are available pretty cheaply now as most people tend to go for bigger sizes these days. Try and get a new one if you can though second-hand is an option if you're on a tight budget. If you do decide to get a new hard disk make sure it's the correct fitting. A computer of that age and spec is likely to have a IDE fitting as opposed to the newer SATA fitting.

BigWill

[ASTROVANMAN]

The Via C7 processor is a fairly lame bit of kit, so don't expect too much, it's easily outperformed by AMD and Intel chips of a somewhat lower headline spec than the C7.

I had a Via chip on a small computer that I built for vehicle use, it was Ok, but the Intel Atom replacement is soo much better.

So my advice is not to spend any real money on this laptop, just add the extra memory and leave it at that. It's just not worth it, as an example we have been allowed to keep our old work laptop computers (make a suggested donation of £10 to charity) Intel Pentium M 1.5GHz, 512Mb, and 40Gb Hdd.

[BigWill]

I'd agree that the VIA CPU isn't the greatest but I wouldn't regard it or your work laptop as "lame" given those specs. Certainly compared to modern dual core laptops they will appear "lame" but for simple everyday tasks including basic photo manipulation they will be absolutely fine. My present laptop is a Dell Latitude C640 1.8ghz with 1gb RAM and 32 mb graphics running XP pro and an old version of Photoshop CS. It does the job and in my opinion you don't need to spend a fortune on hardware or the latest whizz bang computer if your computing needs don't require it.

BigWill

[Bone_Idle]

Thanks Guys, I'll see how I go with just more memory.

I'm just hoping to get it set up wirelessly for surfing the net in other rooms. Probably not much more, so might get away without the Hard Drive.

I've succeeded in getting the wireless set up using a Netgear WG111T usb adapter, I had to update all the drivers to get it to connect at 108mbs but it seems pretty nippy now.

One of the main reasons I want to go with Linux is for the quicker boot times, but it is tempting to strip down the XP install and see how good I can get it.

[BigWill]

My experience with XP and Ubuntu is that while Ubuntu does boot more quickly, it's not that vastly quicker than a good clean running version of XP that doesn't have a load of junk in the startup folder or is running a load of unnecessary stuff in the background. Again, ubuntu might support your usb wireless card but equally it might not so it'll be "suck it and see" on that front I'm afraid.

BigWill

[Bone_Idle]

the more I read the more tempting it is to stay with XP!

Any suggestions on how to clean up the install? I've looked at start up tasks and processes before, but I'm always worried about disabling too much!

[BigWill]

the more I read the more tempting it is to stay with XP!

Any suggestions on how to clean up the install? I've looked at start up tasks and processes before, but I'm always worried about disabling too much!

I'm not an expert on that either I'm afraid though doubtless there are others on here who will be able to advise you. I generally just make sure that any programs I install are really necessary in the first place and that they don't create "shortcuts" in the startup folder leading to a slow down in the booting up process.

BigWill