12 Year Old Dell Inspiron Help

jeffredline36

jeffredline36

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System:
Kernel: 5.15.0-101-generic x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 11.4.0 Desktop: Cinnamon 6.0.4
tk: GTK 3.24.33 wm: muffin vt: 7 dm: LightDM 1.30.0 Distro: Linux Mint 21.3 Virginia
base: Ubuntu 22.04 jammy
Machine:
Type: Portable System: Dell product: Inspiron 1545 v: N/A serial: <superuser required> Chassis:
type: 8 serial: <superuser required>
Mobo: Dell model: 0G848F serial: <superuser required> BIOS: Dell v: A10 date: 07/17/2009
Battery:
ID-1: BAT0 charge: 9.2 Wh (1.3%) condition: 726.5/86.6 Wh (839.1%) volts: 10.1 min: 11.1
model: SMP DELL HP2879 type: Li-ion serial: <filter> status: N/A
CPU:
Info: dual core model: Intel Core2 Duo P8600 bits: 64 type: MCP smt: <unsupported>
arch: Core Yorkfield rev: A cache: L1: 128 KiB L2: 3 MiB
Speed (MHz): avg: 2369 high: 2380 min/max: 800/2401 boost: enabled cores: 1: 2358 2: 2380
bogomips: 9575
Flags: ht lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 ssse3 vmx
Graphics:
Device-1: Intel Mobile 4 Series Integrated Graphics vendor: Dell Inspiron 1545 driver: i915
v: kernel ports: active: LVDS-1 empty: DP-1,VGA-1 bus-ID: 00:02.0 chip-ID: 8086:2a42
class-ID: 0300
Display: x11 server: X.Org v: 1.21.1.4 driver: X: loaded: modesetting unloaded: fbdev,vesa
gpu: i915 display-ID: :0 screens: 1
Screen-1: 0 s-res: 1366x768 s-dpi: 96 s-size: 361x203mm (14.2x8.0") s-diag: 414mm (16.3")
Monitor-1: LVDS-1 res: 1366x768 hz: 60 dpi: 101 size: 344x194mm (13.5x7.6")
diag: 395mm (15.5") modes: 1366x768
OpenGL: renderer: Mesa Mobile Intel GM45 Express (CTG) v: 2.1 Mesa 23.2.1-1ubuntu3.1~22.04.2
direct render: Yes
Audio:
Device-1: Intel 82801I HD Audio vendor: Dell driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel bus-ID: 00:1b.0
chip-ID: 8086:293e class-ID: 0403
Sound Server-1: ALSA v: k5.15.0-101-generic running: yes
Sound Server-2: PulseAudio v: 15.99.1 running: yes
Sound Server-3: PipeWire v: 0.3.48 running: yes
Network:
Device-1: Marvell 88E8040 PCI-E Fast Ethernet vendor: Dell driver: sky2 v: 1.30 pcie:
speed: 2.5 GT/s lanes: 1 port: de00 bus-ID: 09:00.0 chip-ID: 11ab:4354 class-ID: 0200
IF: enp9s0 state: up speed: 100 Mbps duplex: full mac: <filter>
Device-2: Qualcomm Atheros QCA9565 / AR9565 Wireless Network Adapter vendor: Dell
driver: ath9k v: kernel pcie: speed: 2.5 GT/s lanes: 1 bus-ID: 0c:00.0 chip-ID: 168c:0036
class-ID: 0280
IF: wlp12s0 state: down mac: <filter>
Bluetooth:
Device-1: Qualcomm Atheros AR9462 Bluetooth type: USB driver: btusb v: 0.8 bus-ID: 8-1:3
chip-ID: 0cf3:0036 class-ID: e001
Report: hciconfig ID: hci0 rfk-id: 1 state: down bt-service: enabled,running rfk-block:
hardware: no software: yes address: <filter>
Drives:
Local Storage: total: 232.89 GiB used: 57.66 GiB (24.8%)
ID-1: /dev/sda vendor: Toshiba model: MK2555GSX size: 232.89 GiB speed: 3.0 Gb/s type: N/A
serial: <filter> rev: 0D scheme: MBR
Partition:
ID-1: / size: 227.68 GiB used: 57.66 GiB (25.3%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda5
Swap:
ID-1: swap-1 type: file size: 2 GiB used: 54.4 MiB (2.7%) priority: -2 file: /swapfile
USB:
Hub-1: 1-0:1 info: Full speed or root hub ports: 6 rev: 2.0 speed: 480 Mb/s chip-ID: 1d6b:0002
class-ID: 0900
Device-1: 1-5:2 info: Realtek USB 2.0 multicard reader type: Mass Storage driver: ums-realtek
interfaces: 1 rev: 2.0 speed: 480 Mb/s power: 500mA chip-ID: 0bda:0158 class-ID: 0806
serial: <filter>
Hub-2: 2-0:1 info: Full speed or root hub ports: 6 rev: 2.0 speed: 480 Mb/s chip-ID: 1d6b:0002
class-ID: 0900
Hub-3: 3-0:1 info: Full speed or root hub ports: 2 rev: 1.1 speed: 12 Mb/s chip-ID: 1d6b:0001
class-ID: 0900
Hub-4: 4-0:1 info: Full speed or root hub ports: 2 rev: 1.1 speed: 12 Mb/s chip-ID: 1d6b:0001
class-ID: 0900
Hub-5: 5-0:1 info: Full speed or root hub ports: 2 rev: 1.1 speed: 12 Mb/s chip-ID: 1d6b:0001
class-ID: 0900
Hub-6: 6-0:1 info: Full speed or root hub ports: 2 rev: 1.1 speed: 12 Mb/s chip-ID: 1d6b:0001
class-ID: 0900
Device-1: 6-2:2 info: Primax Kensington Mouse-in-a-box type: Mouse driver: hid-generic,usbhid
interfaces: 1 rev: 1.0 speed: 1.5 Mb/s power: 40mA chip-ID: 0461:4d03 class-ID: 0301
Hub-7: 7-0:1 info: Full speed or root hub ports: 2 rev: 1.1 speed: 12 Mb/s chip-ID: 1d6b:0001
class-ID: 0900
Hub-8: 8-0:1 info: Full speed or root hub ports: 2 rev: 1.1 speed: 12 Mb/s chip-ID: 1d6b:0001
class-ID: 0900
Device-1: 8-1:3 info: Qualcomm Atheros AR9462 Bluetooth type: Bluetooth driver: btusb
interfaces: 2 rev: 1.1 speed: 12 Mb/s power: 100mA chip-ID: 0cf3:0036 class-ID: e001
Sensors:
System Temperatures: cpu: 55.0 C mobo: N/A
Fan Speeds (RPM): cpu: 3000
Repos:
Packages: apt: 2590
No active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list
Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/boot-repair.list
1: deb [signed-by=/etc/apt/keyrings/boot-repair.gpg] https: //ppa.launchpadcontent.net/yannubuntu/boot-repair/ubuntu noble main
Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/official-package-repositories.list
1: deb http: //packages.linuxmint.com virginia main upstream import backport
2: deb http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu jammy main restricted universe multiverse
3: deb http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu jammy-updates main restricted universe multiverse
4: deb http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu jammy-backports main restricted universe multiverse
5: deb http: //security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ jammy-security main restricted universe multiverse
6: deb http: //archive.canonical.com/ubuntu/ jammy partner
Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/protonvpn-stable.list
1: deb [arch="all", signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/protonvpn-stable-archive-keyring.gpg] https: //repo.protonvpn.com/debian stable main
Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/yannubuntu-boot-repair-jammy.list
1: deb [signed-by=/etc/apt/keyrings/yannubuntu-boot-repair-jammy.gpg] https: //ppa.launchpadcontent.net/yannubuntu/boot-repair/ubuntu jammy main
No active dnf repos in: /etc/dnf/dnf.conf
Info:
Processes: 206 Uptime: 4m wakeups: 1 Memory: 1.88 GiB used: 1.37 GiB (72.7%) Init: systemd
v: 249 runlevel: 5 Compilers: gcc: 11.4.0 alt: 11/12/9 Client: Cinnamon v: 6.0.4 inxi: 3.3.13

Hey everyone. Is there any configuration I can do to get more speed/Memory out of this classic box LoL ?? Circumstances prevent me from the obvious of upgrading my ram sticks right now. I'm in sort of a jam at the moment. Anything I run stalls intermittently especially Firefox v123. Above is my current specs. Not SSD drive either if that wasn't obvious. I hope I posted my specs in the correct spot, if not, please correct me on that. It's my first time posting my system info. Thanks, have a great day !!
 


jeffredline36 said:
Is there any configuration I can do to get more speed/Memory out of this classic box LoL ?? Circumstances prevent me from the obvious of upgrading my ram sticks right now.
Click to expand...
At least you have a 64-bit CPU. If you can't upgrade the RAM, reduce the OS burden. Mint Cinnamon is just too much, I guess. MX might run okay if you give it a try, but its lighter cousin, antiX, is probably a better choice. Slax, EasyOS, and Puppy Linux are all pretty lightweight, and there are others. Here's a 2024 Review to list a few more. Window Managers are easier on resources than Desktop Environments. Good luck!
 
jeffredline36 said:
Dell product: Inspiron 1545
Click to expand...
this is the inxi for this,my now 14 year old insperon 1540 that runs Mint LMDE faultlessly [you only have 2 gb ram but it should run LMDE ok.]

wizard@the-answer-42:~$ inxi -Fnnxz
System:
Kernel: 6.1.0-14-amd64 arch: x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 12.2.0
Desktop: Cinnamon v: 6.0.4 Distro: LMDE 6 Faye base: Debian 12.1 bookworm
Machine:
Type: Portable System: Dell product: Inspiron 1545 v: N/A
serial: <superuser required>
Mobo: Dell model: 0G848F serial: <superuser required> BIOS: Dell v: A14
date: 12/07/2009
Battery:
ID-1: BAT0 charge: 8.7 Wh (26.4%) condition: 32.9/57.7 Wh (56.9%)
volts: 10.6 min: 11.1 model: Sanyo DELL 00 status: discharging
CPU:
Info: dual core model: Pentium T4500 bits: 64 type: MCP arch: Penryn rev: A
cache: L1: 128 KiB L2: 1024 KiB
Speed (MHz): avg: 1197 min/max: 1200/2300 cores: 1: 1197 2: 1197
bogomips: 9176
Flags: ht lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 ssse3
Graphics:
Device-1: Intel Mobile 4 Series Integrated Graphics
vendor: Dell Inspiron 1545 driver: i915 v: kernel arch: Gen-5
bus-ID: 00:02.0
Device-2: Ricoh Integrated Webcam type: USB driver: uvcvideo bus-ID: 3-6:3
Display: x11 server: X.Org v: 1.21.1.7 with: Xwayland v: 22.1.9 driver: X:
loaded: modesetting unloaded: fbdev,vesa dri: crocus gpu: i915
resolution: 1366x768~60Hz
API: OpenGL v: 2.1 Mesa 22.3.6 renderer: Mesa Mobile Intel GM45 Express
(CTG) direct-render: Yes
Audio:
Device-1: Intel 82801I HD Audio vendor: Dell driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel
bus-ID: 00:1b.0
API: ALSA v: k6.1.0-14-amd64 status: kernel-api
Server-1: PipeWire v: 0.3.65 status: active
Network:
Device-1: Marvell 88E8040 PCI-E Fast Ethernet vendor: Dell driver: sky2
v: 1.30 port: de00 bus-ID: 09:00.0
IF: enp9s0 state: down mac: <filter>
Device-2: Broadcom BCM4312 802.11b/g LP-PHY vendor: Dell Wireless 1397
WLAN Mini-Card driver: N/A bus-ID: 0c:00.0
Device-3: Realtek RTL8192CU 802.11n WLAN Adapter type: USB
driver: rtl8192cu bus-ID: 8-2:2
IF: wlxf81a670e123a state: up mac: <filter>
Drives:
Local Storage: total: 111.79 GiB used: 79.78 GiB (71.4%)
ID-1: /dev/sda vendor: Kingston model: SV300S37A120G size: 111.79 GiB
Partition:
ID-1: / size: 105.53 GiB used: 79.78 GiB (75.6%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda2
Swap:
ID-1: swap-1 type: partition size: 4 GiB used: 256 KiB (0.0%) dev: /dev/sda1
Sensors:
System Temperatures: cpu: 56.0 C mobo: N/A
Fan Speeds (RPM): cpu: 0
Info:
Processes: 189 Uptime: 26m Memory: 3.79 GiB used: 1.99 GiB (52.5%)
Init: systemd target: graphical (5) Compilers: gcc: 12.2.0 Packages: 2509
Shell: Bash v: 5.2.15 inxi: 3.3.26
wizard@the-answer-42:~$
 
atanere said:
At least you have a 64-bit CPU. If you can't upgrade the RAM, reduce the OS burden. Mint Cinnamon is just too much, I guess. MX might run okay if you give it a try, but its lighter cousin, antiX, is probably a better choice. Slax, EasyOS, and Puppy Linux are all pretty lightweight, and there are others. Here's a 2024 Review to list a few more. Window Managers are easier on resources than Desktop Environments. Good luck!
Click to expand...
I appreciate your reply. I've been thinking about changing OS. Thanks !! And I'm working on upgrade laptops also but I'm very cheap lol. And broke at the moment lol.
 
Brickwizard said:
this is the inxi for this,my now 14 year old insperon 1540 that runs Mint LMDE faultlessly [you only have 2 gb ram but it should run LMDE ok.]

wizard@the-answer-42:~$ inxi -Fnnxz
System:
Kernel: 6.1.0-14-amd64 arch: x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 12.2.0
Desktop: Cinnamon v: 6.0.4 Distro: LMDE 6 Faye base: Debian 12.1 bookworm
Machine:
Type: Portable System: Dell product: Inspiron 1545 v: N/A
serial: <superuser required>
Mobo: Dell model: 0G848F serial: <superuser required> BIOS: Dell v: A14
date: 12/07/2009
Battery:
ID-1: BAT0 charge: 8.7 Wh (26.4%) condition: 32.9/57.7 Wh (56.9%)
volts: 10.6 min: 11.1 model: Sanyo DELL 00 status: discharging
CPU:
Info: dual core model: Pentium T4500 bits: 64 type: MCP arch: Penryn rev: A
cache: L1: 128 KiB L2: 1024 KiB
Speed (MHz): avg: 1197 min/max: 1200/2300 cores: 1: 1197 2: 1197
bogomips: 9176
Flags: ht lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 ssse3
Graphics:
Device-1: Intel Mobile 4 Series Integrated Graphics
vendor: Dell Inspiron 1545 driver: i915 v: kernel arch: Gen-5
bus-ID: 00:02.0
Device-2: Ricoh Integrated Webcam type: USB driver: uvcvideo bus-ID: 3-6:3
Display: x11 server: X.Org v: 1.21.1.7 with: Xwayland v: 22.1.9 driver: X:
loaded: modesetting unloaded: fbdev,vesa dri: crocus gpu: i915
resolution: 1366x768~60Hz
API: OpenGL v: 2.1 Mesa 22.3.6 renderer: Mesa Mobile Intel GM45 Express
(CTG) direct-render: Yes
Audio:
Device-1: Intel 82801I HD Audio vendor: Dell driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel
bus-ID: 00:1b.0
API: ALSA v: k6.1.0-14-amd64 status: kernel-api
Server-1: PipeWire v: 0.3.65 status: active
Network:
Device-1: Marvell 88E8040 PCI-E Fast Ethernet vendor: Dell driver: sky2
v: 1.30 port: de00 bus-ID: 09:00.0
IF: enp9s0 state: down mac: <filter>
Device-2: Broadcom BCM4312 802.11b/g LP-PHY vendor: Dell Wireless 1397
WLAN Mini-Card driver: N/A bus-ID: 0c:00.0
Device-3: Realtek RTL8192CU 802.11n WLAN Adapter type: USB
driver: rtl8192cu bus-ID: 8-2:2
IF: wlxf81a670e123a state: up mac: <filter>
Drives:
Local Storage: total: 111.79 GiB used: 79.78 GiB (71.4%)
ID-1: /dev/sda vendor: Kingston model: SV300S37A120G size: 111.79 GiB
Partition:
ID-1: / size: 105.53 GiB used: 79.78 GiB (75.6%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda2
Swap:
ID-1: swap-1 type: partition size: 4 GiB used: 256 KiB (0.0%) dev: /dev/sda1
Sensors:
System Temperatures: cpu: 56.0 C mobo: N/A
Fan Speeds (RPM): cpu: 0
Info:
Processes: 189 Uptime: 26m Memory: 3.79 GiB used: 1.99 GiB (52.5%)
Init: systemd target: graphical (5) Compilers: gcc: 12.2.0 Packages: 2509
Shell: Bash v: 5.2.15 inxi: 3.3.26
wizard@the-answer-42:~$
Click to expand...
That's awesome your using a classic 1545 too !! I will upgrade the ram sticks soon, I'm just in a bad way right now, temporarily. I was hoping for maybe a tweak or two in the OS but at least I tried lol. Thanks for the quick reply !! We'll be talking soon I'm sure, I purposely crash my system quite often to learn system recovery. Thank goodness for Timeshift !!
 
I have a 12 year old Asus Laptop...64bit...i5 CPU but has only 4GB of Ram...runs Mint Cinnamon 21.1 just fine.

A few years ago it was running Linux lite which is easy to use...you could give that a go.
m1212.gif
 
Checking your specs it looks like it will take up to 8GBs of RAM and upgrade your HD to a SSD - I have a Dell Latitude E6530 around 2013 time frame and I upgrade the CPU from a Core2Duo to a quad core, RAM to 16GBs, and the HD to a SSD at 256GBs
user@debian:~$ inxi -F
System:
Host: debian Kernel: 6.1.0-18-amd64 arch: x86_64
bits: 64 Desktop: GNOME v: 43.9 Distro: Debian
GNU/Linux 12 (bookworm)
Machine:
Type: Laptop System: Dell product: Latitude E6530 v: 01
serial: <superuser required>
Mobo: Dell model: 07Y85M v: A01
serial: <superuser required> BIOS: Dell v: A21
date: 02/21/2018
Battery:
ID-1: BAT0 charge: 49.0 Wh (100.0%)
condition: 49.0/62.2 Wh (78.8%)
CPU:
Info: quad core model: Intel Core i7-3630QM bits: 64
type: MT MCP cache: L2: 1024 KiB
Speed (MHz): avg: 1207 min/max: 1200/3400 cores:
1: 1200 2: 1258 3: 1200 4: 1200 5: 1200 6: 1200 7: 1200
8: 1200
Graphics:
Device-1: Intel 3rd Gen Core processor Graphics
driver: i915 v: kernel
Device-2: NVIDIA GF108GLM [NVS 5200M] driver: nouveau
v: kernel
Device-3: Microdia Laptop_Integrated_Webcam_E4HD
type: USB driver: uvcvideo
Display: x11 server: X.Org v: 1.21.1.7 with: Xwayland
v: 22.1.9 driver: X: loaded: modesetting
unloaded: fbdev,vesa dri: crocus gpu: i915
resolution: 1366x768~60Hz
API: OpenGL v: 4.2 Mesa 22.3.6 renderer: Mesa Intel
HD Graphics 4000 (IVB GT2)
Audio:
Device-1: Intel 7 Series/C216 Family High Definition
Audio driver: snd_hda_intel
Device-2: NVIDIA GF108 High Definition Audio
driver: snd_hda_intel
API: ALSA v: k6.1.0-18-amd64 status: kernel-api
Server-1: PipeWire v: 0.3.65 status: active
Network:
Device-1: Intel 82579LM Gigabit Network driver: e1000e
IF: eno1 state: down mac: b8:ca:3a:c9:28:6f
Device-2: Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300
driver: iwlwifi
IF: wlp3s0 state: up mac: 24:77:03:8d:e3:74
Bluetooth:
Device-1: Dell BCM20702A0 Bluetooth Module type: USB
driver: btusb
Report: hciconfig ID: hci0 state: up
address: 20:16:D8:95:E5:03 bt-v: 2.1
RAID:
Hardware-1: Intel 82801 Mobile SATA Controller [RAID
mode] driver: ahci
Drives:
Local Storage: total: 3.86 TiB used: 495.49 GiB (12.5%)
ID-1: /dev/sda vendor: Crucial model: CT240BX500SSD1
size: 223.57 GiB
ID-2: /dev/sdb type: USB vendor: Toshiba
model: External USB 3.0 size: 3.64 TiB
Partition:
ID-1: / size: 218.51 GiB used: 16.07 GiB (7.4%) fs: ext4
dev: /dev/sda2
Swap:
ID-1: swap-1 type: file size: 256 MiB used: 0 KiB (0.0%)
file: /swapfile
Sensors:
System Temperatures: cpu: 46.0 C mobo: 33.0 C
sodimm: SODIMM C gpu: nouveau temp: 37.0 C
Fan Speeds (RPM): cpu: 2767
Info:
Processes: 261 Uptime: 55m Memory: 15.52 GiB
used: 3.13 GiB (20.2%) Shell: Bash inxi: 3.3.26
Click to expand...
 
GatorsFan said:
Checking your specs it looks like it will take up to 8GBs of RAM and upgrade your HD to a SSD - I have a Dell Latitude E6530 around 2013 time frame and I upgrade the CPU from a Core2Duo to a quad core, RAM to 16GBs, and the HD to a SSD at 256GBs
Click to expand...
Thank you !!
 
bob466 said:
You're welcome...I forgot to mention I replaced the HDD about 3 years ago with a 500GB SSD which makes a big difference.
m1211.gif
Click to expand...
I've been reading that an SSD is more helpful than a big RAM upgrade. My brother runs a newer CHEAP Dell laptop that only has 4Gb of ram but he replaced the HDD with an inexpensive SSD and it's really fast in multi tasking and streaming HD, way better than when he bought it. That's exactly why I reached out to you guys, great input !!
 
Linux Mint has always been fast but on an SSD it's at least 10 times faster.
m1203.gif


Ram doesn't make your computer go faster...the more Ram you install...the more you can Multi-Task.
m1211.gif


My Tower has 16GB of DDR4 Ram...it runs just as fast as my Laptop but I can have several browsers open...run a VM...Download things etc all at the same time...something I can't do with my Laptop.

I've never put more Ram in the Laptop as I'm not a Laptop person and only use it once or twice a year but handy to have in case something happens to My Tower as did last year.
1710912653130.gif
 
jeffredline36 said:
your using a classic 1545
Click to expand...
Yep, it was a busted one I picked up just over 10 years ago, [it still has some issues and will need replacing at some time but for now remains usable] I don't need anything high speed [not a gamer] but easy to use and reliable, and Dell have always met my needs.
 
jeffredline36 said:
That's awesome your using a classic 1545 too !! I will upgrade the ram sticks soon, I'm just in a bad way right now, temporarily. I was hoping for maybe a tweak or two in the OS but at least I tried lol. Thanks for the quick reply !! We'll be talking soon I'm sure, I purposely crash my system quite often to learn system recovery. Thank goodness for Timeshift !!
Click to expand...

I did find the following ZSWAP config that I used and "seems" to stop most of the temporary freeze/lag so far or maybe It's just having a good morning lol. I'm ordering RAM upgrade sticks this weekend, the shipping costs more than the RAM. I'm still trying to figure out how to update the bios .EXE. I tried a few things like "DOS" in Virtual Box and a different imitation "DOS" in UnetBootin but cant get either to work so far. I do have the A-14 .exe file, mine is currently A-10 (2009) LOL. ​

​

When zswap is enabled: decrease swap use​

1.2. On the hard disk there's a separate file or partition for virtual memory, called the swap. When Mint uses the swap too much, the computer slows down. At least when zswap has been turned on (see item 1.1 on this page).

Note: Don't fully disable the disk swap, no matter how much RAM your computer has! Not only because zswap needs it, but also because disabling the disk swap is a bad idea in general: it's counterproductive to do so and might degrade the performance of your system.

Mint's inclination to use the swap, is determined by a value called "swappiness". The lower the value, the longer it takes before Mint starts using the swap.

On a scale of 0-200, the default value is 60. Which is too high for normal desktop use; the optimal compromise is probably something like 30. Decreasing the default value somewhat on a desktop computer, has no negative side effects.

Now the how-to for setting the swappiness to a more reasonable level, namely 30:

a. First check your current swappiness value. Type in the terminal (use copy/paste):

cat /proc/sys/vm/swappiness

Press Enter.

The result will probably be 60.

b. To change the swappiness into a more sensible setting, type in the terminal (use copy/paste to avoid typos):

xed admin:///etc/sysctl.conf

Press Enter. Note that you'll be asked twice for your password.

Now a text file opens. Scroll to the bottom of that text file and add your swappiness parameter to override the default. For that, copy/paste the following two blue lines into the text file:

# Decrease swap usage to a more reasonable level
vm.swappiness=30

c. Save and close the text file. Then reboot your computer.

d. After the reboot, check the new swappiness setting:

- Launch a terminal window.
(You can launch a terminal window like this: Click)

- Type (use copy/paste):

cat /proc/sys/vm/swappiness

Press Enter.

Now it should be 30.
 
jeffredline36 said:
Dell product: Inspiron 1545
Click to expand...
jeffredline36 said:
I do have the A-14 .exe file, mine is currently A-10 (2009)
Click to expand...
Hmm, I find conflicting info. Are you sure about the A14 version?

This link shows Version A14 is for a Dell server.

This link shows Version A13 is the latest update, but it's only a few months newer in 2009. I'm not sure that would give any great benefit.

This link shows Version 6.5.0, A05 (2014) for Inspirion 1545. This version seems out of sequence from 2009, so I'm not sure about this.

I'm not sure... but you need to be sure. It may be very unforgiving if you try to flash the wrong one. Do be careful, especially after spending money to upgrade the RAM. Good luck!
 
atanere said:
This link shows Version A14 is for a Dell server.
Click to expand...
if you look at my inxi I have BIOS: Dell v: A14 and I have never updated it [ I feel this is unnecessary as it works perfectly ]
 
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