Ok let's try porteus Linux.
Here is the instruction
Here is the instruction
Replacing Mint
- Thread starter acreguy
- Start date
That's a bit of a loaded question. That's like asking which car is a compact car?
Many companies make compact cars.
The smallest distro I know of is alpine.
Linux is just a kernel, usually when people say "Linux", they mean "which distribution?"
But there is a trade-off. smaller means "less features". Yes it takes up less resources,
but it might not have system fan software. (and other packages).
Here is the iso link
Download the kde version.
Download the kde version.
Lubuntu is still fairly light, though it uses more disk space than it used to use because it's in the Ubuntu family and uses Snaps.
That said, it's not going to use a bunch more space, but just a bit more space. At the end of the day, you won't even notice it unless you spend time looking for it.
I admit that I'm biased.
That said, it's not going to use a bunch more space, but just a bit more space. At the end of the day, you won't even notice it unless you spend time looking for it.
I admit that I'm biased.
Progress report
In attempting to use balenaEtcher to expand the ISO file onto the USB stick I've been using, the operation failed. Something has gone wrong with the file system on the USB stick. Windows and balenaEtcher don't even recognize the USB drive. I'm using MiniTool Partition Manager to try and fix the drive but it's taking forever.
At first the USB drive didn't show up in Explorer (Windows 10). I tried reformatting it as FAT 32. It wouldn't let me. I deleted the partition and created a brand new one. Now it shows up in Explorer but when I click on the USB drive, I get an error, "Please insert the USB into Drive E." It is inserted!!!!!!!
If anyone ever claims that's it's easy to try out the various Linux distros, I'll need to have a word with them
!
In attempting to use balenaEtcher to expand the ISO file onto the USB stick I've been using, the operation failed. Something has gone wrong with the file system on the USB stick. Windows and balenaEtcher don't even recognize the USB drive. I'm using MiniTool Partition Manager to try and fix the drive but it's taking forever.
At first the USB drive didn't show up in Explorer (Windows 10). I tried reformatting it as FAT 32. It wouldn't let me. I deleted the partition and created a brand new one. Now it shows up in Explorer but when I click on the USB drive, I get an error, "Please insert the USB into Drive E." It is inserted!!!!!!!
If anyone ever claims that's it's easy to try out the various Linux distros, I'll need to have a word with them
!LOL. There are some "gotchas" you need to be aware of.
Do you have another Linux xomputer, or another USB drive?
Linux will recognize windows filesystems (ntfs, vfat, fat32, exFat, etc...)
But Windows will not recognize Linux filesystems, and you're right sometimes windows won't see Linux formatted devices.
There are some tools for windows that help with some of this (that's a long post for another time).
If you're familiar with powershell, there are some things you can try.
Do you have another Linux xomputer, or another USB drive?
Linux will recognize windows filesystems (ntfs, vfat, fat32, exFat, etc...)
But Windows will not recognize Linux filesystems, and you're right sometimes windows won't see Linux formatted devices.
There are some tools for windows that help with some of this (that's a long post for another time).
If you're familiar with powershell, there are some things you can try.
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.I believe you, but it is interesting.
Hundreds of people using Linux on here don't have that problem. I myself am running Linux on 8 computers in this room.
..and I'm not saying you're doing something wrong, as far as I can tell, you aren't.
But still... for some weird reason...
Hundreds of people using Linux on here don't have that problem. I myself am running Linux on 8 computers in this room.
..and I'm not saying you're doing something wrong, as far as I can tell, you aren't.
But still... for some weird reason...
Agreed, DOS. There could be some simple solution but darned if I can figure it out. The only clue I can offer is in the Fan Control section of the BIOS. I can disable it (which didn't work on any distro so far), or there are three control levels. I've tried all three and nothing seems to work. I watched a YouTube video about this issue and the guy said, "When it comes to controlling the older ASUS fans, good luck with that." Perhaps there's a message there?
Fan noise has been suppressed for the past 15 years or so. Earlier computer fans were crazy loud. Not anymore. This computer is about 15 years old. Perhaps fan speed control is just not going to happen with Linux. Windows 7 does not ramp up the speeds. Is it even possible MS knows something the Linux developers don't?
Fan noise has been suppressed for the past 15 years or so. Earlier computer fans were crazy loud. Not anymore. This computer is about 15 years old. Perhaps fan speed control is just not going to happen with Linux. Windows 7 does not ramp up the speeds. Is it even possible MS knows something the Linux developers don't
?Another option is to install Linux on my Windows 10 computer. Its C drive is only half full and is an SSD. I could free up a lot more space if I uninstall some programs I seldom use anymore. The only scary part is messing with the EUFI settings. I had to once before, when my first C drive was full.
The main reason I'm wanting to use Linux is to avoid the Windows 11 nonsense and being hacked by the garbage heads after the Windows 10 ESU runs out. Part of me thinks that the Windows 10 ESU may have to be extended another year or so, due to the pushback MS is getting about Windows 11.
Further thoughts?
The main reason I'm wanting to use Linux is to avoid the Windows 11 nonsense and being hacked by the garbage heads after the Windows 10 ESU runs out. Part of me thinks that the Windows 10 ESU may have to be extended another year or so, due to the pushback MS is getting about Windows 11.
Further thoughts?
@acreguy :-
I think this is going to come down to what you can "live with". Failing that - and bearing in mind the age you've stated for this hardware! - a couple of small hardware upgrades might be all that's required.....which shouldn't break the bank.
The pic you posted for the readout from
...requested by Dave ( @kc1di ) shows there is nothing wrong at all with those temps. Nothing to worry about there, I can tell you now.
As Ray ( @dos2unix ) states:-
My bet is that your fan (s) are either way overdue for replacement, OR at the very least I'll bet the bearings haven't seen a drop of oil since it was new. This alone can make a huge difference, believe me...
Case in point:-
Having had a small windfall recently, I've been performing some long-considered upgrades to my 6-yr old HP Pavilion desktop rig. Upgraded the GPU, followed by the PSU. I then did a major upgrade to the CPU.....and while I was doing that, I took the opportunity to replace the troublesome CPU heatsink fan, which has given me nothing but grief ever since I've had this Pavilion.
Personally, I reckon somebody rummaged around in the bottom of the rejects bin to see what they could find when they put the heatsink fan on here. It's never been particularly quiet OR smooth even from new, and in just 5 years it's been re-lubricated 6 or 7 times, because after a few months it would start squealing & graunching again.
You can follow the saga here, if interested:-
It's now been replaced with a Thermalright TL-B8W dual-purpose fan. This can double as either a PWM-controlled CPU heatsink fan OR as a simple case fan.....all depending on the motherboard header it's plugged into. And this thing is SO quiet you've got to listen very closely to hear it running at all.....even at boot, when the fans ramp for a few seconds, it's still barely detectable.
I think it may be time to treat yourself to a couple of new fans; fortunately, a fairly cheap fix. Too many people think that everything in a PC can be "fixed" with software.....forgetting all about the hardware which said software runs ON (and nothing lasts for ever).
Mike.
I think this is going to come down to what you can "live with". Failing that - and bearing in mind the age you've stated for this hardware! - a couple of small hardware upgrades might be all that's required.....which shouldn't break the bank.
The pic you posted for the readout from
Code:
inxi -s...requested by Dave ( @kc1di ) shows there is nothing wrong at all with those temps. Nothing to worry about there, I can tell you now.
As Ray ( @dos2unix ) states:-
My bet is that your fan (s) are either way overdue for replacement, OR at the very least I'll bet the bearings haven't seen a drop of oil since it was new. This alone can make a huge difference, believe me...
Case in point:-
Having had a small windfall recently, I've been performing some long-considered upgrades to my 6-yr old HP Pavilion desktop rig. Upgraded the GPU, followed by the PSU. I then did a major upgrade to the CPU.....and while I was doing that, I took the opportunity to replace the troublesome CPU heatsink fan, which has given me nothing but grief ever since I've had this Pavilion.
Personally, I reckon somebody rummaged around in the bottom of the rejects bin to see what they could find when they put the heatsink fan on here. It's never been particularly quiet OR smooth even from new, and in just 5 years it's been re-lubricated 6 or 7 times, because after a few months it would start squealing & graunching again.
You can follow the saga here, if interested:-
Well; now then :-
For the last year or so, the bulk of my upgrades / improvements / new purchases have been on the replacement Latitude I bought about 14 months back, in early September 2024. More RAM, better, more decent storage - and more of it! - new webcams, and other accessories......y'all know the drill, I'm sure.
For what it is, for a 13-yr old machine the E6430 is going great guns, and I'm really pleased with it. It was time to turn my attention to the main box.....in case the old girl was feeling 'left-out'!
One thing I'd been meaning to sort out...
For the last year or so, the bulk of my upgrades / improvements / new purchases have been on the replacement Latitude I bought about 14 months back, in early September 2024. More RAM, better, more decent storage - and more of it! - new webcams, and other accessories......y'all know the drill, I'm sure.
For what it is, for a 13-yr old machine the E6430 is going great guns, and I'm really pleased with it. It was time to turn my attention to the main box.....in case the old girl was feeling 'left-out'!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One thing I'd been meaning to sort out...
It's now been replaced with a Thermalright TL-B8W dual-purpose fan. This can double as either a PWM-controlled CPU heatsink fan OR as a simple case fan.....all depending on the motherboard header it's plugged into. And this thing is SO quiet you've got to listen very closely to hear it running at all.....even at boot, when the fans ramp for a few seconds, it's still barely detectable.
I think it may be time to treat yourself to a couple of new fans; fortunately, a fairly cheap fix. Too many people think that everything in a PC can be "fixed" with software.....forgetting all about the hardware which said software runs ON (and nothing lasts for ever).
Mike.
Wow, great advice. Thanks, Mike. I'm not afraid to tackle some fan maintenance. I've serviced AC and DC motors in the past. Perhaps I'll give that a go. Failing that, I can get the numbers off them and order some replacements.
Earlier, I mentioned that everything in the box was clean. Wrong! I took the PC out to the garage and used my compressor (set very low, 20 PSI) to blow out the fans and heat sinks. The heat sinks were fine but the dust in the fans was crazy. I trap the fan blades, as not to over-spin the bearings. I'll service the shafts and bearings and post back. Thanks again...
Earlier, I mentioned that everything in the box was clean. Wrong! I took the PC out to the garage and used my compressor (set very low, 20 PSI) to blow out the fans and heat sinks. The heat sinks were fine but the dust in the fans was crazy. I trap the fan blades, as not to over-spin the bearings. I'll service the shafts and bearings and post back. Thanks again...
These are nowhere near as complex. Just a wee low-power DC motor, supported by, usually, a couple of phosphor-bronze sleeve bushes. Better quality ones may have ball-bearings, instead.
Whichever yours have, you can generally access them by removing the adhesive labels over the ends of the drive shaft, top OR bottom of the fan housing......and all it usually needs is a few drops of light oil (summat like sewing machine oil is ideal).
Do NOT use WD40. It may lubricate - to some extent - but it's also a potent de-greaser & cleaner. And that's not what ya want..!
Mike.
Thanks, Mike. My next door neighbor was a small motor mechanic. I watched him service various motors, where he taught me a lot. He also gave me a bottle of light weight oil he used on all his motors. Sadly he died in 2014 but I still have his techniques stored in my aging brain . I'm going to service those motors. I saw four of them. I'll let you know if it helped.
. I'm going to service those motors. I saw four of them. I'll let you know if it helped.The verdict is in
Thanks again for everyone's help. This has been a very pleasurable experience. It's less of a forum and more like an online private tutoring group. You're a great bunch.
I'll chime in when I decide what to do, PC wise. Thanks again and stay well, all....
- Lee
- I removed all four fans and cleaned them. They all had sealed shafts and bearings. Unless I drill tiny holes and very carefully, there won't be any oil applied. They all run very freely anyway.
- The thermal paste on these units looks degraded and hardened. I'm sure some is either missing or has flaked off.
- The past few boot ups, I've had intermittent connections with my video card. It's been hit or miss.
- While re-installing the CPU fan, two of the turn studs broke. What a terrible design!! I guess someone had to come last in engineering skool.
- This is a 15 year old PC. Take all the time you need with that one.
Thanks again for everyone's help. This has been a very pleasurable experience. It's less of a forum and more like an online private tutoring group. You're a great bunch.
I'll chime in when I decide what to do, PC wise. Thanks again and stay well, all....
- Lee
Condobloke
Well-Known Member
My system i7-9700 @ 4.700GHz 32GB memory no swap file with 1TB rotating media ATI Radeon card, plus 2 USB multi port cards.
I'm running Mint (all versions upgraded since then) for 8+ years now in my two HP workstations with older processors and my fans rarely com on and then only briefly when my workstation room gets uncomfortably warm. System reports shows my system resource usage in the dirt, idling most of the time unless I'm downloading a kernel upgrade or some such.
If you use system reports it should tell you what if anything is hammering your resources.
Questions?
Are ALL of your covers on? (should be yes)
If your machine is backed into a wall, if it is pull it away for 4-5" clearance (should be no)
Is your power supply and cabinet in and outlet ports clear of hair and dust? (should be yes)
Is there dust and or hair on the processor heat sink and other components? (should be no)
The problem is: the high-speed fan issue only occurs in Linux; fan speed is completely normal in Windows. Certainly, it's a software issue rather than hardware. A Linux kernel module is likely missing to control the fan speed.
