Best Linux distro for a 20-year-old ThinkPad

[Lynx52]

Hello, I recently bought a IBM Thinkpad r52 from during 2005, before lenovo took over. It had been running Windows XP, and it was in great condition. It seemed to have been previously owned by a software developer working at DELL. So, I decided to install linux. I need a 32 gb distro which is fast, reliable, supported, and highly customizable. I tried AntiX, it is really bad. I tried Puppy, it also is bad. I tried Debian 12, it worked. I used the i386 cd image and flashed it onto a usb drive, I set it up, but of course, it did not work perfectly. Here were the big problems with this debian:
1. Incomplete APT packages, when I ran list apt it started in the Ms and was sorted alphabetically.
2. even with packages in the APT list, installing them does not work. I tried thunderbird and it not find it in the list, even though when I checked it was there.
3. I can not customize the log-in screen at all.
4. if I use the package manager to install packages it prompts me to insert installation media into the cd reader.
5. it boots very slowly.
6. Firefox is super slow on it, but lynx works fine. I would like it to have java capabilities.
All the good things about debian:
1. easy-ish to install
2. easy to use
3. pretty customizable

I would like to know if there are any better distros to use and what gui I should use, in Debian I tried LXDE and XFCE, both worked. nothing else worked.
Thanksb

 

[blizzardfromoz]

3. I can not customize the log-in screen at all.

To customize login screen:
sudo apt-get install lightdm-gtk-greeter-settings
sudo nano /etc/lightdm/lightdm.conf
Go to section “[Seat:*]” and uncomment line starting with “greater-session” and change it to “greeter-session=lightdm-gtk-greeter”
Run command “lightdm-gtk-greeter-settings” (or look in the start menu for it) and adjust settings and hit “Reload” button to update settings.

That is one way to do it and it will give you a few options you can change. You can also install other greeters instead of lightdm-gtk-greeter-settings which may give you a different look.

 

[Lynx52]

I have tried that, my APT does not work. I used the image from the debian website, but the apt is incomplete and completely updated.

 

[blizzardfromoz]

I have tried that, my APT does not work. I used the image from the debian website, but the apt is incomplete and completely updated.

So you can't even do updates or upgrades? I was going to suggest to do sudo apt-get update and then sudo apt-get full-upgrade.

Which image did you download?

 

[blizzardfromoz]

So you can't even do updates or upgrades? I was going to suggest to do sudo apt-get update and then sudo apt-get full-upgrade.

Which image did you download?

Actually nevermind I see it in the first post.

 

[Lynx52]

It is incomplete, and it does not recognize that it is missing most packages is should have. I used the image labeled: debian-12.11.0-i386-DVD-1, It installed fine, and I used a usb drive to do so. I also installed the 64 bit version on a MacBook air from 2012, it had the same problem.

 

[MikeWalsh]

More likely the problem stems from the hardware. You MIGHT be lucky enough to have a Pentium dual-core or Core2Duo there, but I doubt it. More likely a single-core antique without even SSE3 support, which is almost mandatory these days...

,,,,but without more information, we're just guessing. Saying it's a 2005 Thinkpad that was running XP doesn't in fact tell us anything that we NEED to know.

We really need some specs here, please. And while I think about it, did you run a checksum on the downloaded ISO? Because it sounds as though you got an incomplete or "bad" download...


Mike.

 

[Brickwizard]

There are a number of 32 bit distributions currently available, I say currently as the word is Linux support for 32 bit is drawing to a close,
your machine original only has a single core CPU, and the bad news is there is no official support for the ATI X300 GPU that I know of, depending on the spec order by its first owner it will have 500mb ram as a minimum upgradeable to 2 GB, to get any distribution working [apart from 32 bit XP or possibly W7] is going to be a task in itself.


@MikeWalsh I know what it is [but i dare not say it on an open forum]

 

[Lynx52]

It is a R52, the cheaper version of the T43. It has Intel Centrino, Pentium M, ATI Radeon gpu, 40gb HDD by Fujitsu, 512mb RAM.

 

[Lynx52]

More likely the problem stems from the hardware. You MIGHT be lucky enough to have a pentium dual-core of Core2Duo there, but I doubt it. More likely a single-core antique without even SSE3 support, which is almost mandatory these days...

,,,,but without more information, we're just guessing. Saying it's a 2005 Thinkpad that was running XP doesn't in fact tell us anything that we NEED to know.

We really need some specs here, please. And while I think about it, did you run a checksum on the downloaded ISO? Because it sounds as though you got an incomplete or "bad" download...


Mike.

yes, the download was fine. I used Rufus 4.9 and did a checksum on it.

 

[Brickwizard]

It is a R52,

Yep that's what you said , I haven't had one across my bench in over 15 years, it was about as basic as IBM could produce

 

[Lynx52]

It is in near perfect condition, I just restored it. What would you suggest I do?

 

[Lynx52]

More likely the problem stems from the hardware. You MIGHT be lucky enough to have a pentium dual-core of Core2Duo there, but I doubt it. More likely a single-core antique without even SSE3 support, which is almost mandatory these days...

,,,,but without more information, we're just guessing. Saying it's a 2005 Thinkpad that was running XP doesn't in fact tell us anything that we NEED to know.

We really need some specs here, please. And while I think about it, did you run a checksum on the downloaded ISO? Because it sounds as though you got an incomplete or "bad" download...


Mike.

it does have sse3, it is pentium M

 

[Brickwizard]

FOR members to note before making further suggestions, this machine was produced as a budget [entry level in today's terms] machine in late 2005 to mid 2006 in 32 bit only

I just restored it. What would you suggest I do?

the polite answer is reinstalling the windows' motherboard drivers and XP, get it running and donate to a museum

 

[Lynx52]

My goal is to use it as a Linux driver for robotics, I am 14, I saved up money to buy it. I am not donating it any time soon. I just need to get Linux running smoothly on it.

 

[CaffeineAddict]

yep 32 bit is ded, I hope you didn't pay much.

 

[Lynx52]

It was $149, for me it is a lot. 32 bit still exists, even if I get something running on it now, I should be fine.

 

[Lynx52]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/333895252456 this is it, if anyone wants to know. I fixed the hdd caddy, and all the issues visible in the pictures are fixed, so imagine it but extremely clean and looking brand new.

 

[CaffeineAddict]

It was $149, for me it is a lot. 32 bit still exists, even if I get something running on it now, I should be fine.

Here a list of 32 bit Linuxes, but I wouldn't expect some superb performance.

Top 15 Linux Distros That Still Support 32 Bit Systems

If you have vintage hardware with 32-bit processor and you would like to keep on using it, here are the best choices of Linux distros with 32-bit support.

itsfoss.com

I tried Debian 12

For Debian you need Debian 11, not 12, at least according to the site.

 

[Brickwizard]

it does have sse3,

Instructions and Technologies​
Execute Disable Bit?	Yes
64-bit Support?	No
Hyper-Threading technology?	No
Virtualization?	No
Enhanced SpeedStep?	Yes
Instruction Set Extensions:	MMX SSE SSE2

no sse3