Athlon 1000Mhz, which distro?

familydog

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Hi everybody,
I'm a newbie and this is my first message here.
Hope you can help me, cause I really going crazy with it.
One friend of mine had this old desktop computer, with Windows Xp:
CPU AMD Athlon XP, 1000 MHz (10 x 100)
MB ASRock K7S41GX
GPU Integrated
RAM 2GB
BIOS American Megatrends Inc. P2.80
Physical Address Extension (PAE) Supported
IA SSE 2 Not Supported

With Windows Xp, after all, the system wasn't running bad: still enough good to play music, at least.
But I thought I could bring this old PC to a new life and make it able to browse internet too, updating the OS and the browsers.
So at first, I tried to install Windows 7. Many attempts, but always the same result: after the system booted from USB (created with Rufus, all possible different settings), it displayed "MBR OK, A disk read error occurred".
Anyway reading further, I later discovered that Windows 7 dismissed the NO-SSE2 support from the 2018 updates, so I abandoned that idea.
Then I focused in searching a Linux distro which could suit the PC features, and I tried:
- Xubuntu (the live version was running so super slow that i renounced in trying to install it);
- Lubuntu (I don't remember now exactly which problem, but I couldn't try nor the live version neither to install it);
- Mint Cinnamon (both live version than installed one were super slow, and it was showing a message about the CPU working very hard cause a GPU accelerator was missing);
- LXLE (a little better than previous distro, but the live version still super slow, like 30-40sec. to open the browser, while each time I tried to install it, it always crashed the installer in the last step).

What can I still try, Puppy Linux only? I don't know it, but from what i heard, I hoped I could have a little bit more robust OS on this PC, which of course is very old, but not so super old as many other I read about in Linux forum.
Maybe to re-install Windows XP would be stil, the best choice?
Thanks in advance
 


1) I think part of your problem is that you have a 32-bit machine. Some distros are dropping that and producing for 64-bit machines only.

2) A LiveD will always run slower than an actual install.

3) It is strange when you have 2 Gb of RAM that everything is so slow. I would expect things to be quicker.

4) Check out something like Antix or Sparky Linux Base. https://itsfoss.com/lightweight-linux-beginners/
 
1) I think part of your problem is that you have a 32-bit machine. Some distros are dropping that and producing for 64-bit machines only.

2) A LiveD will always run slower than an actual install.

3) It is strange when you have 2 Gb of RAM that everything is so slow. I would expect things to be quicker.

4) Check out something like Antix or Sparky Linux Base. https://itsfoss.com/lightweight-linux-beginners/

Thank you arochester, I will check them.
Anyway about the 32bit, I always have been careful in downloading and trying the 32bit version... maybe about the first I tried, Xubuntu, I'm not 100% sure... but I assume it simply should not run if 64bit, right?
And what if I would try to install older versions of the same distros? Maybe the 32bit and the low features of this PC would be better supported?
By the way, I also tried to install Ubuntu Precise Pangolin once, and the screen just kept freezing all the time during the installing, so I renounced.
Thanks for the moment, I will let you know.
 
I recommend Antix 17.3 1 as it runs on most low powered computers and Antix 17,3,1 base will fit on a cd and any extra software that is needed is available in the repos.

There is a small learning curve with Antix although easy to overcome.

Exactly what AMD Athlon XP processor do you have.


https://antixlinux.com/

http://download.tuxfamily.org/antix/docs-antiX-17/FAQ/index.html

https://antixlinux.com/download/
Thank you, I will try it for sure in next hours.
The full name of processor is: AMD Athlon XP Thoroughbred-B.

Not too run too fast, but... if the installation of Antix 17.3.1 (or of Sparky, as suggested by arochester) will be successful, will I be able also to change theme and make it look a little better?
I'm upgrading from Windows Xp and I would prefer something that doesn't look like Windows 98 :D
 
Thank you, I will try it for sure in next hours.
The full name of processor is: AMD Athlon XP Thoroughbred-B.

Not too run too fast, but... if the installation of Antix 17.3.1 (or of Sparky, as suggested by arochester) will be successful, will I be able also to change theme and make it look a little better?
I'm upgrading from Windows Xp and I would prefer something that doesn't look like Windows 98 :D
I have never used Sparky so I don't know.

I'm an OOTB install and use and I've never changed themes on any Linux Distro I use.

I suggest whatever the choice to install and use OOTB until you fully understand how everything works and then perhaps start to change themes etc.

AMD Athlon XP Thoroughbred-B is an oldie.
 
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I've tried AntiX, while looking for a non systemd 32-bit OS and liked it but I kept running into issues: mainly software being unavailable; permision issues while trying to install/play jswarrior finally sent me packing.

Checkout: https://www.salixos.org/

I'm on this 32-bit almost daily now.
 
I've tried AntiX, while looking for a non systemd 32-bit OS and liked it but I kept running into issues: mainly software being unavailable; permision issues while trying to install/play jswarrior finally sent me packing.

Checkout: https://www.salixos.org/

I'm on this 32-bit almost daily now.
I'm uncertain of this as I don't do gaming although I believe if you are want to game than a Steam account is almost going to be a must with Linux although I may be wrong about that.
 
I'm uncertain of this as I don't do gaming although I believe if you are want to game than a Steam account is almost going to be a must with Linux although I may be wrong about that.

I'm not a gamer.
jswarrior is a CLI JavaScript game which requires you to write JavaScript in order to advance through the game. Sort of like Legend of the Red Dragon.

There were other things I kept stubbing my toe on with AntiX, but this is when I decided to try another distro on the list. I like AntiX but more as a rescue distro.
 
Maybe to re-install Windows XP would be stil, the best choice?

Not ever. Not if you allow it internet access.

(Wizard appears in a puff of smoke)

I mean this nicely - if you allow XP access, you may as well say ""Hey come and steal my identity, take all my money, and destroy my pictures of kids and grandkids". It is 5 years in April since support ended.

I will have more input tomorrow, if you will entertain it, have to go for my evening (Australia), but one is

MX-17 (related to antiX)

supports 32-bit, non-PAE - way more apps and flexibility

The non-SSE2 is an obstacle not insurmountable. Mostly affected is eg Firefox as a Browser, and some others.

Pale Moon would likely work.

Question - and how do I download stuff without a working browser?

Answer - through Terminal using a command called

wget


Back tomorrow

and @familydog , @OSStuntman - welcome to linux.org :):)

Chris Turner
wizardfromoz
 
There were other things I kept stubbing my toe on with AntiX, but this is when I decided to try another distro on the list. I like AntiX but more as a rescue distro.
Yeah Antix can be a toe stubber at times and it is an excellent rescue distro.

As the Wizard suggested you might have a look at MX Linux.

https://mxlinux.org/
 
@familydog
Then I focused in searching a Linux distro which could suit the PC features, and I tried:
- Xubuntu (the live version was running so super slow that i renounced in trying to install it);
- Lubuntu (I don't remember now exactly which problem, but I couldn't try nor the live version neither to install it);
- Mint Cinnamon (both live version than installed one were super slow, and it was showing a message about the CPU working very hard cause a GPU accelerator was missing);
- LXLE (a little better than previous distro, but the live version still super slow, like 30-40sec. to open the browser, while each time I tried to install it, it always crashed the installer in the last step).

What can I still try, Puppy Linux only? I don't know it, but from what i heard, I hoped I could have a little bit more robust OS on this PC, which of course is very old, but not so super old as many other I read about in Linux forum.
Maybe to re-install Windows XP would be stil, the best choice?
Thanks in advance

Did you download Lubuntu's 32bit version?
http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/lubuntu/releases/18.10/release/lubuntu-18.10-desktop-i386.iso

You might also try Q4OS which appeareance resembles that of XP and it supports 32bit https://q4os.org/dnt2.html

vqii60.jpg


Linux Lite 3.8 is also a good choice. It's based on Ubuntu 16.04 so it'll still be supported a little longer. Don't try Lite's 4 series since they dropped 32bit support.
https://osdn.net/projects/linuxlite/storage/3.8/linux-lite-3.8-32bit.iso/
You can read the release info here https://www.linuxliteos.com/forums/release-announcements/linux-lite-3-8-final-released/ and check some of it's features.

1zlqjo7.jpg


Puppy Linux is not easy to install, its mostly designed to run from a USB stick just as slax is.

Did you try Mint xfce edition? Cinnamon isn't exactly lightweight while xfce might be just what you need https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=3671

Bodhi Linux is another lightweight Distro that still suports 32bit you might want to check
https://www.bodhilinux.com/

9lir0k.jpg


I second others suggestion on MX-17 as well as a good Distro to try
http://linuxfreedom.com/mxlinux/MX/Snapshots/MX-17.1_October_386.iso In case that link doesn't work you can try another one from here https://mxlinux.org/wiki/system/iso-download-mirrors

Also, have a look at Distrowatch's x86_64 Distro's list so you might just find the one that fits your needs https://distrowatch.com/search.php?architecture=x86_64#simple


Hope this helps! :)
 
I have an Athlon XP (2600), 2GB of Ram and an ATI 2600Pro AGP card.

LinuxLite 3.8 loads, but Firefox aborts (probably sse2 extensions)
BodhiLinux didn't load, despite several attempts. Downloading again.
Lubuntu 18.08 32-bit loads, but Firefox aborts
Pepermint (32-bit) loads, but Firefox aborts

I'm running of out of distros to try....
 
G'day @SunTzuTech and welcome to linux.org :)

Shortly I will carve off these last couple of Posts to give you your own Thread and identity, so that readers and potential helpers do not confuse you with the OP (Original Poster) @familydog .

There, I would ask you first and foremost to give me the output for the command

Code:
inxi -f

That will let us see your Flags, which can help us better advise on the browser side.

For The Viewers, if your Debian-based Distro (Ubuntu, Linux Mint &c, and Bodhi is also one) does not have inxi on board, you can install it with

Code:
sudo apt install inxi

So look for the new Thread in Getting Started and I'll see you there :)

Wizard
 
Hey there, I would like to thank each of you who kindly shared with me/us their knowledge or experience. For some reason I missed the email notifications about new answers on this thread, so I apologize if I didn't connect here earlier.
About my original message... In the end I gave up, after I've tried most of the distro suggested me here... For one reason or another, each of those distro were not performing or stable or else, so I gave up for now... But your new messages make me wish to try again!
I will let you know asap if any of those distro works fine for my machine, thank you all guys!
 
Thanks for updating us, Mate :)

If you go top-right-hand corner where your small avatar is and mouse-over, choose (not just Preferences, but) Alert Preferences, and check the boxes you want.

Sing out if you need input again, any time.

I have an old Compaq Presario C300, used to be my wife's, that has only 512 MB RAM, and a 60 GB HDD circa 2005, and I use it as a test-bed for low-spec Distros, so I may be able to assist.

Cheers

Chris Turner
wizardfromoz
 
There is Palemoon SSE. A 'user contributed version'. I read a post which indicated it was available in the AntiX repos.
While I would not recommend using an 'old' browser for daily use online AntiX and the Palemoon SSE build may provide a solution.
Actually, any 'light weight' Linux distro with an old version of Palemoon, Firefox, or Seamonkey might work.
Dedoimedo has a nice post about installing MX-18 on a 10 year old EeePC netbook. He seemed quite satisfied with it.
https://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/eeepc-mx-linux.html
https://www.romanstefko.com/pale-moon-sse/
 

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