The problem is the way

[cowboydan]

Hello,

Brand new to Linux/Ubuntu working with Windows vista 1024MB 320GB NVIDIA 6150 LE. Uploading from usb, Ubuntu 24.04.
When I first hit boot from USB, it brought me to system restore screen, I hit cancel, hit esc again, press boot from USB, and pressed try or install ubuntu.

It repeated an error message on the screen, something about
[30.040818] [drm:drm_crtc helper set_config] error failed to set mode on crt. 40:crt -1

I thought I was screwed but eventually I saw what I assumed was the Ubuntu screen, but there were no apps or start menu or anything I was just pressing buttons, clicking on anything I could, back to the same error screen.

I get bored and get some food and come back and there's apps and it looks like it does on other people's computers. Its running so slow I thought it wasnt working at all.

I've read some issues with Nvidia graphics cards. I mean it sounds legit considering, but I couldn't find anything specific enough to my 6150 LE situation, and I'm having trouble doing anything at all. I tried to use the search bar to no avail got two letters in and it froze, clicked on the software app, it looks like it made a duplicate right above the original distorted slightly.

I apologize for the long post. Is it safe to hit the power button on this bad boy, I don't care about any data as it is not mine. I just want to get online so bad I can taste it. Tonight is the first night I have Ubuntu uploaded, so I'm REAL excited to even be this far along. Thanks.

 

[Brickwizard]

Windows vista

er...how old is this machine? Win-vista was the second release of NT based windows, in 2004 and reached the end of life in 2017, so, back in 2004 there were more 32-bit systems than 64 bit, up to around 2010 many systems were still only 32 bit compliant [motherboard & BIOS restrictions]
so is it a 32 bit machine or a full 64 bit machine?
if it is a full 64 bit machine then under is the Linux drivers you will need to download and install

Download NVIDIA, GeForce, Quadro, and Tesla Drivers

Download drivers for NVIDIA graphics cards, video cards, GPU accelerators, and for other GeForce, Quadro, and Tesla hardware. US / English download.

www.nvidia.com

 

[atanere]

working with Windows vista 1024MB 320GB NVIDIA 6150 LE

Only 1 GB of RAM is not going to be enough for most mainstream Linux distros. You will be far better off trying a lightweight distro if you can't upgrade the RAM to 4 GB or more. Good luck!

 

[Brickwizard]

Only 1 GB of RAM is not going to be enough for most mainstream

Spot on on Ubuntu 24.04 will run on a 64 bit machine with 2 Gb of ram but will be happier with 4 Gb
some that will run on 1gb
Linux lite
Lubuntu
Anti-x
above would run better on min 2 GB
Puppy
Many variants, [would almost run on a cat's whisker and crystal] not recommended for new users

 

[cowboydan]

Cheers, thanks for the quick responses.

 

[cowboydan]

I've considered doing some light crypto validating, downloading certain apps that require a desktop, learn to earn programs.

Could you possibly offer any insight on the capabilities of a lightweight on 1gb verse another option on 4gb? Can I play music and have a few apps running?

Should I have left this next to the garbage? I don't think so. But I'm not exactly an expert.

 

[Brickwizard]

insight on the capabilities of a lightweight on 1gb verse another option on 4gb?

Should I have left this next to the garbage

Depends on what it is, if its a 64 bit machine then ram is cheap, depending on exact spec, you may be able to up it to 4Gb [or more] if not it may have a max of 2 gb
what is the make and model number [and if its still running vista find the CPU number. then i can expand on my suggestions

 

[Egzoset]

Brand new to Linux/Ubuntu working with Windows vista 1024MB 320GB NVIDIA 6150 LE. Uploading from usb...

In such desperate situations i'd think of a puppy:

SPup

Download SPup for free. Puppy Linux built from Slackware components. None

sourceforge.net

Available both as 32 or 64 bits:

Puppy Linux Home

puppylinux-woof-ce.github.io

'BookwormPup64_10.0.7.iso', 813M7
'S15Pup64-22.12-240810.iso', 433M1

Those come with HardInfo v0.6 alpha pre-installed, compatible with YUMi-exFAT external USB drive.

 

[cowboydan]

HP Pavilion RK573AA-ABA a1710n it's a 32 bit, so I'm pretty sure I downloaded the wrong version, I assumed amd 64x2 referred to 64 bit. A humbling experience to say the least. Thank you for the question. I appreciate every response and will consider any advice.

 

[atanere]

HP Pavilion RK573AA-ABA a1710n it's a 32 bit, so I'm pretty sure I downloaded the wrong version, I assumed amd 64x2 referred to 64 bit.

You assumed correctly... it is 64-bit, dual core. This looks like yours, I think.

So you can run 64-bit Linux distros, and that explains why Ubuntu loaded, even if slowly. The trouble is RAM. You need lightweight distros, or you need more RAM. The specs in the link above indicate you can install up to 4 GB... you need to replace the two 512 MB memory sticks with 2GB sticks to get the max.

 

[Brickwizard]

32 bit

not a problem there are several offerings to run on 32 bit with 1 Gb ram here are a few to try
Debian stable
Mint LMDE
both will run on 1 gb but would prefer more oh and they are both compound downloads [will install as 32 or 64 bit automatically depending on machine]
32 bit dedicate distros
Anti-x
MX-32 bit [this is a slightly nicer looking version of Anti-x]
Devuan
Sparky
Alpine

 

[Brickwizard]

You assumed correctly...

Yes in fact it is similar to the one I built myself about 20 years ago, it has an Athlon x2-2000 CPU [I had the athlon x2- 6000, the cooler was more expensive than the x2-2000] but the existing ram will preclude most 64 bit offerings, I dont have time to look tonight, but it is possible at this age it may have a 32 bit motherboard, [not uncommon back then on office kit]

 

[cowboydan]

You assumed correctly... it is 64-bit, dual core. This looks like yours, I think.

So you can run 64-bit Linux distros, and that explains why Ubuntu loaded, even if slowly. The trouble is RAM. You need lightweight distros, or you need more RAM. The specs in the link above indicate you can install up to 4 GB... you need to replace the two 512 MB memory sticks with 2GB sticks to get the max.

 

[The Duck]

Unless you change to a better graphics card you ain't gonna run no Linux distro on that NVIDIA 6150 LE.

The NVIDIA 6150 LE is at the bottom of the pit the LE stands for Low End seriously it's what they used to use in low end computers for Windows OSs back in the day.

I base on having them myself and finally just gave up and trashed them as no Linux distro with a kernel above 5.4 will support them the open source driver doesn't cut it.

My apologies for being the bearer of bad news.

 

[cowboydan]

I got this message literally as I'm in front of the computer about to download a lighter version. You guys are awesome, there's so much collective knowledge. I'm going to go help with the sheetrock and ponder.

 

[Brickwizard]

ok so it has an Asustek NODUSM3 motherboard that is 64 bit
the fastest CPU upgrade it will take is the Athlon 64, Athlon 64 X2 up to 5000+, Or AMD Sempron equivalent
the best RAM upgrade would be 4GB of PC2 5300 (667 MHz)[4X 500KB OR 2 X 1 gb] but it may only have 2x500kb of PC 4200 (533 MHz) so just to get a minimal 64 bit to run you will need to add 2 more of the same
The onboard graphics [GeForce 6150 LE chipset] should work out of the box, if not, use the driver link I posted earlier.

ain't gonna run no Linux distro on that NVIDIA 6150 LE.

that should be fine with a light distro, it will never be a gaming machine so ultra modern video is a waste of money, as long as the current graphics are working.

 

[cowboydan]

Well I ran out of time over there and didn't get anything downloaded. My buddy thinks I should just download windows of some sort on the USB. I know this is a Linux forum but I'm not married to it. Any thoughts brometheus.

 

[cowboydan]

Well I ran out of time over there and didn't get anything downloaded. My buddy thinks I should just download windows of some sort on the USB. I know this is a Linux forum but I'm not married to it. Any thoughts brometheus.
Update since bricks message:
I'm ab to take a picture of all the specs just to make sure we're all on the same page.

 

[Brickwizard]

My buddy thinks I should just download windows of some sort

the pitfalls will be
first finding a Windows OS that will work on it, your basically stuck with XP/Vista & possibly win7, none of which have been supported for a long time, so will not have up-to-date drivers or be very secure online [that's if you can find a copy] Oh and vista would be best as the machine should have the Windows Vista licence tag on it.if you have wiped/overwritten the old windows, or put a new hard-drive in it, you will also need to re-install the motherboard drivers before windows.
As I said before, my last home build was almost identical to your machine, it ran fine with the onboard graphics, I also hammered it by having 5 hard-drives, 11 usb ports and 5.1 surround sound fitted, the only reason it no longer works was the motherboard was toasted by a power surge during covid and i could not get replacements from my regular dealers, so I picked up this HP desktop [2015 vintage]

 

[Brickwizard]

I'm ab to take a picture of all the specs just to make sure we're all on the same page

Not necessary, I know the Asustek AMD motherboard, I know the CPU, and I know it would have come with2x500kb of ram [it should have 4 slots]

although the CPU can be upgraded, it would not be cost practical as to go to anything more powerful than you have will need a high performance water cooled heat sink, Old ram from the likes of e-bay is cheap you could [as previously said] add 2x500 Mb [filling all 4 slots] or you could put in 2x1gb [in the primary slots and move the existing ram to the secondary slots] it may also be possible to take out the old plate spinner and replace with an SSD [carrier/adaptor will be needed]...