Can I convert old Win 7 computer to Linux?

[Sam999_984]

I have an old Windows 7 computer (around 15 years old) that I resigned to a box on a shelf in the garage a long time ago and didn't bother to throw out. ... It's 64-bit with a processor speed of 2.8Ghz (an AMD Athlon 2 CPU), 4GB of RAM, a 500GB hard drive and NVidia GeForce 6150SE graphics.
... Do you think this is too old a computer to convert to a Linux OS ..like Linux Mint Cinnamon?

 

[Brickwizard]

Welcome, provided there has been no degradation of the components being left in a garage, it will be fine for something like, Mint LMDE, Linux Lite, Bodhi linux , Peppermint, or ANTI-X-linux [all light or medium builds others are available but these spring to mind.], don't expect it to fly as it will have a Plate spinner HDD [worth swapping for a SATA SSD, it would have been made between Dec 2008 and Jan 2012 [i can date it more accurately with better information].

 

[kc1di]

Hello @Sam999_984
Welcome to the Linux.org forum, enjoy!
Than machine should work it won't be a speed demon but should work, I would look at lighter weight Distro Like Min XFCE or MX XFCE or Debian Etc. 4 gigs of ram is enough but just barley. 8 would be better. But try several distro live she how they do.
Good luck. One sticking point maybe the nvidia graphics card not sure the 6150 is still supported.

 

[Brickwizard]

One sticking point maybe the nvidia graphics card not sure the 6150 is still supported.

Hi KC, the nouveau kernel drivers usually work with this chipset.

 

[Sam999_984]

HELP! I downloaded Balena Etcher to my other computer, but how do I move it --and the Linux ISO I have yet to download-- to a USB drive without losing any properties?

....so that I can install them on another computer?

Thought I would try Linux Mint XFCE on the old computer.

 

[Brickwizard]

PLEASE do not use bold type, [common protocol on forums]
Which machine have you downloaded etcher to ?

see 4th link below in my signature. Mint 21/22 will run on it, but is a bit heavy and will be slower.

 

[The Duck]

This may help.
Read as many times as necessary to understand what to do.

Tutorial Thread '**TRY Linux Mint on your Windows PC**'

Dec 2, 2018

First, you can -- __and should__ -- try Linux Mint before switching to it. Fortunately, unlike other operating systems, Linux distros like Mint make it easy to give them a test run before installing it.

First you'll need to download a copy of Linux Mint, which comes with three different desktops: MATE, Xfce, and its default desktop, Cinnamon. If you have a 2012-or-newer PC, I recommend you download the 64-bit version of Mint with Cinnamon and multi-media support.

If you don't have an __ISO burner program__, download one. I recommend freeware programs ImgBurn for optical drives and...

• Condobloke
• Replies: 1
• Forum: Mint

• 

 

[Sam999_984]

I'm downloading to a Windows 11 computer, but I want to install it (via USB) on an old Win 7 computer. Can I download Linux Mint AXFCE, then move it to my USB drive?

 

[Brickwizard]

OK etcher dosn't play well with Win 10/11 Use Rufus, from the win machine you can burn the ISO to a Pen-drive [ USB stick] just download the am64 version of the Distribution to your win machine and burn from there

 

[Sam999_984]

Since I want to put this on a USB to use on a Win 7 computer, should I use Rufus 'Portable' or Standard? .... As you can tell, I'm not tech savvy.

 

[Brickwizard]

https://github.com/pbatard/rufus/releases/download/v4.9/rufus-4.9.exe

 

[Brickwizard]

what part of the world are you in Sam?

 

[Sam999_984]

United States, central .... By the way the old computer I want to put Linux on is Win 7, 64 bit

Thanks

 

[blizzardfromoz]

If you want something really easy to use try Raspberry Pi Imager:

Raspberry Pi OS – Raspberry Pi

From industries large and small, to the kitchen table tinkerer, to the classroom coder, we make computing accessible and affordable for everybody.

www.raspberrypi.com

A windows version is available if you scroll down.

 

[Sam999_984]

Isn't that for SD cards? I don't have an SD card reader on my old computer

 

[blizzardfromoz]

HELP! I downloaded Balena Etcher to my other computer, but how do I move it --and the Linux ISO I have yet to download-- to a USB drive without losing any properties?

....so that I can install them on another computer?

Thought I would try Linux Mint XFCE on the old computer.

XFCE is great you won't be disappointed. I'm going to try out Mint XFCE shortly myself.

An interesting thread with some good feedback on the various Linux DE (desktop environments):

Loading...

forums.debian.net

 

[Brickwizard]

United States, central

ok you are 5 hrs behind me, most of our US contingent will be on in about another 5-7 hrs

By the way the old computer I want to put Linux on is Win 7, 64 bit

as I said in post #2 a machine of that age and spec will run better with a medium or lightweight distribution,

 

[blizzardfromoz]

Isn't that for SD cards? I don't have an SD card reader on my old computer

No you can use it for USB. I use it all the time. Its so easy.

There are only three things you need to do. Select OS and use the downloaded image you want to flash, select storage and use the USB flash drive you want to flash it to, and click the next button. Thats it.

The choose device option you can just leave it as it is. You only use that if you have a Raspberry Pi computer.

 

[blizzardfromoz]

XFCE is great you won't be disappointed. I'm going to try out Mint XFCE shortly myself.

An interesting thread with some good feedback on the various Linux DE (desktop environments):

Loading...

forums.debian.net

I actually meant to use this thread its more recent. The one above is old.

https://forums.debian.net/viewtopic.php?p=787323&hilit=desktop+environment+poll#p787323

 

[Sam999_984]

Does my USB drive (pen) need to be formatted to NTFS to store an ISO on it?