up vote 1 down vote favorite
1
share [g+] share [fb]

Possible Duplicate:
Which Linux Install Should You Start With

I have an old dell inspiron 1500. It has just been sitting there like a paperweight. the problem w/ it is that it just gets so heated up that it shuts off by itself.

I want to try putting linux on it. I feel ubuntu is too much graphics wise and takes too much resources. I will be using the laptop only for browsing or programming (not resource intensive stuff).

can someone recommend what linux I should put on it? I am ok with ubuntu also if it is not too resource intensive.

link|improve this question
feedback

closed as exact duplicate by ChrisF, random♦ Jun 24 '11 at 1:56

This question covers exactly the same ground as earlier questions on this topic; its answers may be merged with another identical question. See the FAQ for guidance on how to improve it.

6 Answers

up vote 9 down vote

Do you only want to install linux to alleviate the heat problem?

If so, you should seriously consider either opening up and cleaning laptop air intakes, or purchasing a can of compressed air to blow out dust. (If you have not done so already). This is the primary cause of old laptops overheating.

link|improve this answer
2  
I completely agree. I have two Inspiron 1500s, one running Ubuntu, the other running Linux Mint. A laptop that old just needs a little TLC to get her back into shape - they make wonderful "garage" computers (I'm not taking my nice laptop out there, that's for sure!) – Jared Harley Jan 3 '10 at 19:07
1  
+1. A can of compressed air is good preventative maintenance for any laptop. – Adam Luchjenbroers Jan 4 '10 at 3:40
feedback
up vote 5 down vote

Give Xubuntu a try. It uses XFCE which is lighter than GNOME on resources, and you'll still have access to most of the programs in a regular Ubuntu install.

If you are only installing Linux to try and get rid of the heat problem, follow BlueNovember's advice. If performance is also an issue, you may want to install Linux after cleaning out the dust. Then you can kill 2 birds with 1 stone.

link|improve this answer
1  
DSL, however, is no longer being developed, making it a huge security problem and using somewhat obsolete software. – CarlF Jan 3 '10 at 19:28
Wow, it's already been over a year too! Thanks for pointing that out! – John T Jan 3 '10 at 19:39
feedback
up vote 2 down vote

http://www.puppylinux.org/
Boots in under a minute. Designed to be lightweight and simple to use.

link|improve this answer
1  
Under a minute? What Linux distro boots in over a minute? – Sasha Chedygov Jan 4 '10 at 4:24
Heh ok, "well under a minute, even on low spec machines". :P – RJFalconer Jan 4 '10 at 13:29
feedback
up vote 1 down vote

i'd stay away from anything *buntu, far too demanding for older machines, have a look at this instead:

• Dreamlinux is a free, modern and modular GNU/Linux system. It can be run directly from a CD/DVD/USBStick and optionally be installed to a HDD, including IDE, SCSI, SATA, PATA and USB drives. • Dreamlinux comes with a selection of the best applications designed to meet most of your daily needs.

• Dreamlinux is based on the venerable Debian Operating System. This means it takes advantage of Debian's best features and adds its own modern development tools, system scripts and applications.

• Dreamlinux Desktop Edition 3.5 comes with XFCE Desktop Environment as default. However, nothing prevents anyone from using other desktop environments, thanks to Dreamlinux's modular architecture. For example, you'll find Gnome Desktop Environment available as an XFCE replacement. Shortly, we will make LXDE, TDE and Fluxbox available as well.

Multimedia resources • Dreamlinux comes with all the codecs and media players needed for a good multimedia experience.

p.s.: you can test it from a CD or a USB stick first

link|improve this answer
Inspiron 1500 != Vostro 1500, sorry Molly - you're dead wrong. They would *both8 be Inspiron 1500 or Vostro 1500. – Moshe Jan 4 '10 at 4:13
you're correct, Moshe, the Vostro 1500 is the equivalent to the Inspiron 1520 – Molly7244 Jan 4 '10 at 11:50
feedback
up vote 0 down vote

I have used Xubuntu quite a bit but Debian running XFDE is faster and OK once you do a little extra configuration.

If you're experienced with Linux or want to learn, then you can always try Arch Linux. That's supposed to be really fast.

link|improve this answer
feedback
up vote 0 down vote

If you want a desktop environment with minimal resource usage, the main thing you should be thinking about isn't which distro, but which Desktop Environment you want to use. Then select a distribution that includes that desktop environment in its packages (most distributions will include most of these environments as alternatives).

KDE and Gnome are the two most common ones, but have a much larger footprint compared to some of the alternatives.

For an ultra-lightweight setup, Blackbox, Fluxbox or Openbox would be good options. They're all quite similar, with Blackbox being the most spartan (but quite possibly too spartan). I've had Blackbox run quite acceptably on an old Pentium 90 with 64MB of RAM.

If they don't suit your tastes, other lightweight options include XFCE and Enlightenment. There's probably a few others out there, and I'd invite people to mention them.

You may also want to pick out replacements for some apps (eg. replacing Firefox with something lightweight like Arora). How far you go with that depends on how lightweight you need to make things.

link|improve this answer
feedback