Delete Linux Mint and install Chrome OS on old laptop?

[gs85739az]

Great link about Inspiron 1501 running 4-8GB! I'll order a couple 2GB sticks, btw, do you know of a supplier, Cruical only offers 1 GB sticks..

It might be best to upgrade Linux Mint 17 32bit to 64bit..or what similar Linux version do you like best for old, fairly gutless laptops?

and..I'll certainly put the new OS on an SSD...

 

[malch]

Great link about Inspiron 1501 running 4-8GB! I'll order a couple 2GB sticks, btw, do you know of a supplier, Cruical only offers 1 GB sticks..

Maybe this:

Loading…

www.amazon.com

But do check

It might be best to upgrade Linux Mint 17 32bit to 64bit..or what similar Linux version do you like best for old, fairly gutless laptops?

and..I'll certainly put the new OS on an SSD...

My first choice would be Manjaro/Xfce. It benefits from all the work on ArchLinux, comes with up-to-date kernels, drivers and apps. I've been running it on my HPTC and laptop for quite a while now and love it.

Next would be Mint/Xfce followed by Mint/Cinnamon.

I like Lubuntu too. The one thing that puts me off is the fact that the LXDE desktop is pretty close to end-of-life so it probably doesn't have much of a future.

Assuming you get the RAM up to 4GB, you absolutely want 64-bit Linux.

With a 2GB system, I'd run 32-bit Linux.

 

[gs85739az]

thanks for the Linux distro choices...

btw, is there an easy way to simply upgrade Linux Mint 17, 32 bit to 64 bit OS or maybe even a more current version of Linux Mint?

My Linux Mint 17, 32 bit came from a disc I BOUGHT from some Linux seller on-line, I've by-passed the "iso" stuff and it seems to work so well for installation, I've used this same disc on 4 older PC's so far..but I'd be willing to learn if there is indeed an easier method.

I think the disc might have cost $15 or so? It seemed inexpensive compared to all the Windows OS install discs I've bought in the last 20 years...just say'n...

 

[gs85739az]

--thanks for the Amazon link[duh, I could have done that, but didn't even think of it], anyway, it's ordered now and with the addition of a 64bit Linux NEW install and an SSD, this old Dell Inspiron 1501 should be more fun/faster...
Gary

 

[malch]

thanks for the Linux distro choices...

btw, is there an easy way to simply upgrade Linux Mint 17, 32 bit to 64 bit OS or maybe even a more current version of Linux Mint?

That's going to require a fresh install. However, you should be able to save a copy of your old HOME directory and restore it to the new system

My Linux Mint 17, 32 bit came from a disc I BOUGHT from some Linux seller on-line, I've by-passed the "iso" stuff and it seems to work so well for installation, I've used this same disc on 4 older PC's so far..but I'd be willing to learn if there is indeed an easier method.

Download the ISO and burn it to a USB thumb drive (or even a DVD). It's really easy.

BTW, another thing I like about Manjaro .v. Mint is the fact that Manjaro is a rolling distribution and I find this makes staying current a whole lot easier.

 

[Gesture]

That's a great price. Sometimes, older memory is more expensive, but not in this case.

I bought from A-Tech on eBay and had a good experience with them.

 

[gs85739az]

--Presently downloading Manjoro XFCE .iso to USB stick...this should be interesting, think you, everytime I learn something new, it really stokes me!

However, I tend to be a detailed/step-by-step users, so "intuitive" doesn't necessarily mean it's easy or even 1/2 way understandable for me..constant repetition/practice seems to be my best way of learning...

yrs ago, learning Windows 95 seemed extremely difficult the first 90days[that's when I bought my first PC]...20 years later, it seems "intuitive".

btw, I have a MacMini which I've never found to be "it just works/intuitive", but like these present issues, I'm sticking with it til I figure out how..

The constant support/information from DPR posters has really been beneficial the last decade..thanks again DPR!

Will report when/if I get Manjoro XFCE up and running, taking small steps, thanks again!
Gary

 

[malch]

--Presently downloading Manjoro XFCE .iso to USB stick...this should be interesting, think you, everytime I learn something new, it really stokes me!

You do need to "burn" the ISO to the USB thumb (not just copy the .iso file).

Manjaro is a bit picky on that step but this particular burner always works for me:

Loading…

rufus.akeo.ie

Then the thumb drive should be fully bootable and you can proceed to install.

Will report when/if I get Manjoro XFCE up and running, taking small steps, thanks again!

Just holler if you need help.

 

[gs85739az]

So far, Manjaro Linux is not behaving...

Issues: Firefox web browser asks for Name/Password, which I don't know, but when trying to get Firefox to send new password to Yahoo email..it ALWAYS crashes..hmmm

Finally checked my yahoo email on another PC, its all there, but because of multiple reset request has froze me out of "validating" for another 10 minutes..life goes on, taking small steps.

BUT...

Trying to download/install OPERA web browser, but not sure what the proper steps are for "opera-stable_46.0.2597.32_amd64.deb"? Got this straight from Opera.com web site...

Do I go to "terminal" and type something in[did this on Mint and it always worked to download/install new software/web browsers],etc

Please advise, this is probably simple..eh...?

--
Gary

 

[PerTulip]

So far, Manjaro Linux is not behaving...

Issues: Firefox web browser asks for Name/Password, which I don't know, but when trying to get Firefox to send new password to Yahoo email..it ALWAYS crashes..hmmm

Trying to download/install OPERA web browser, but not sure what the proper steps are for "opera-stable_46.0.2597.32_amd64.deb"? Got this straight from Opera.com web site...

Do I go to "terminal" and type something in[did this on Mint and it always worked to download/install new software/web browsers],etc

Please advise, this is probably simple..eh...?

--
Gary

As far, as I recall, Manjaro is a Arch distribution. You are downloading a Debian (which I prefer ;-) ) package. To install something in Linux you use a package manager (apt in the case of Debian). The package manager for Arch is "pacman". So you first (terminal/shell):

pacman -Syyu which should update the repos

and then

pacman -S opera

 

[gs85739az]

--in Manjaro Terminal: typed

"pacman[space]-Syyu"-error: you cannot perform this operation unless you are root.

got same error message when typing:

"pacman[space]-S[space]opera

I must be a little off with this typing on terminal, please advise..
Gary

 

[PerTulip]

--in Manjaro Terminal: typed

"pacman[space]-Syyu"-error: you cannot perform this operation unless you are root.

got same error message when typing:

"pacman[space]-S[space]opera

I must be a little off with this typing on terminal, please advise..
Gary

When installing, you did set a password for user "root"?

 

[malch]

So far, Manjaro Linux is not behaving...

Issues: Firefox web browser asks for Name/Password, which I don't know, but when trying to get Firefox to send new password to Yahoo email..it ALWAYS crashes..hmmm

Finally checked my yahoo email on another PC, its all there, but because of multiple reset request has froze me out of "validating" for another 10 minutes..life goes on, taking small steps.

BUT...

Trying to download/install OPERA web browser, but not sure what the proper steps are for "opera-stable_46.0.2597.32_amd64.deb"? Got this straight from Opera.com web site...

Do I go to "terminal" and type something in[did this on Mint and it always worked to download/install new software/web browsers],etc

Please advise, this is probably simple..eh...?

Not sure what the problem is with Firefox but it works here okay.

As PerTulip said, start by bring the system right up-to-date:

sudo pacman -Syyu

Then knock yourself out installing extra goodies with:

sudo pacman -S packagename

pacman has a lot of options:

Loading…

wiki.archlinux.org

But the good news is... you really only need a few in normal use:

The two mentioned above plus:

pacman -Rs packagename # To remove a package

pacman -Ss string # Search for packages matching string

 

[malch]

--in Manjaro Terminal: typed

"pacman[space]-Syyu"-error: you cannot perform this operation unless you are root.

got same error message when typing:

"pacman[space]-S[space]opera

I must be a little off with this typing on terminal, please advise..

You need to use sudo:

sudo pacman -Syyu

sudo will prompt you for the root password (and remember it for a while).

 

[gs85739az]

yes, I set a password for user root[i think so anyway]...a bit fuzzy at present...but know what 'it's supposed to be"...

so, do I type the password in first in terminal, then the other commands you supplied?

will try it now! ty again...slow but sure...

UPDATE: typed in password into terminal:

bash:[PASSWORD]: COMMAND NOT FOUND

BUT, this is the correct password...

Gary

 

[malch]

yes, I set a password for user root[i think so anyway]...a bit fuzzy at present...but know what 'it's supposed to be"...

so, do I type the password in first in terminal, then the other commands you supplied?

will try it now! ty again...slow but sure...

UPDATE: typed in password into terminal:

bash:[PASSWORD]: COMMAND NOT FOUND

Try like this:

sudo pacman -Syyu <==== Enter this
[sudo] password for xxxxx: <==== system reponds with this

Then input the password, which will not be echoed on screen.

 

[gs85739az]

typed in the first part OK:

sudo pacman -Syuu

but when trying to enter 2nd part[password], it always shows

"sudo password for gary" but there is a space[?]then a small WHITE space, appears about the size of two letters..it will NOT let me enter anything after this shows up and sometimes it'll enter:

Sorry try again, with "sudo password for gary",etc..with the exact same problem[the white space that can't be entered?

is this "white space" common? what does it signify?

btw, taking a break for an hour or so...back later with followup, ty again...

 

[malch]

Sorry try again, with "sudo password for gary",etc..with the exact same problem[the white space that can't be entered?

is this "white space" common? what does it signify?

It might appear that nothing can be entered.

But it's still listening to your input. It just doesn't display it. That's a security feature

Anyway, just enter the password and hit return/enter.

 

[PerTulip]

yes, I set a password for user root[i think so anyway]...a bit fuzzy at present...but know what 'it's supposed to be"...

so, do I type the password in first in terminal, then the other commands you supplied?

will try it now! ty again...slow but sure...

UPDATE: typed in password into terminal:

bash:[PASSWORD]: COMMAND NOT FOUND

Try like this:

sudo pacman -Syyu <==== Enter this
[sudo] password for xxxxx: <==== system reponds with this

Then input the password, which will not be echoed on screen.

No GUI for pacman?

 

[gs85739az]

malch, you da man! TY again for your detailed instructions.

it was exactly like you said "yes enter password and click", it WORKED!

Have Opera web browser now working and looking forward to learning about Linux Manjaro, just getting my feet wet, so far, but Manjaro is FAST on this old Dell Inspiron 1501, but will update once new RAM arrives and is installed, along with SSD...the best is yet to be...

Always optimistic, it's guaranteed the present dreariness is simply because I have yet to learn what to do..next!

admiration

--
Gary