Installing linux on an old laptop

[3bbb7]

I have an old laptop and i want to install linux on it. I want to install linux mint. How would I do that. I am looking to completely start from scratch, delete everything and install it. Windows vista sucks.
I tried Easybcd and installed windows xp but it didn't work, so I'm going to try again but install linux mint this time.

How would I go and completely install linux mint onto this computer and start from scratch? Im not good with this stuff..

 

[LockeCole_101629]

how old is old?

does it have capability to boot from usb?
if it can boot from usb you might want to try http://www.xpud.org/

just install it to your stick drive and boot it, done.

 

[3bbb7]

like 4 year old. It has windows vista and its so slow now

 

[RodrigoDavy]

There are two methods I know. First one is downloading an ISO from the Linux Mint website and burning it on a DVD (You can use the program imgburn for that, but software like Nero and similiar should work too). The other method is burning the ISO on a pendrive by using a software called Unetbootin.

Of course, you have to go to your BIOS and configure it to boot from the DVD drive or pendrive first.

I never used Linux Mint, but I am sure they must have a user-friendly installer so just follow the instructions.

 

[3bbb7]

There are two methods I know. First one is downloading an ISO from the Linux Mint website and burning it on a DVD (You can use the program imgburn for that, but software like Nero and similiar should work too). The other method is burning the ISO on a pendrive by using a software called Unetbootin.

Of course, you have to go to your BIOS and configure it to boot from the DVD drive or pendrive first.

I never used Linux Mint, but I am sure they must have a user-friendly installer so just follow the instructions.

Could I just add the linux mint iso to easybcd and then boot mint from the selection menu and just install mint over the entire drive? Or is it necessary to have a usb or disc?

 

[RodrigoDavy]

Could I just add the linux mint iso to easybcd and then boot mint from the selection menu and just install mint over the entire drive? Or is it necessary to have a usb or disc?

Erm... I don't think you could do that. It could even boot and start the instalation process, but in the middle of the instalation process the iso would be deleted along with Windows Vista (since they both are stored in the hard drive) and without the iso the installer would fail.

So, I would recommend using a disc or a usb drive.

 

[3bbb7]

Thanks i'll try that. Any idea how long it would take to install linux on it?

 

[RodrigoDavy]

Thanks i'll try that. Any idea how long it would take to install linux on it?

If you don't find any problems about half hour or less

 

[3bbb7]

Okay cool Ill try once mint is done downloading

 

[Psionic Roshambo]

I would recommend formatting the entire hard drive first, Vista removal can be a pain if you do not.

 

[3bbb7]

I would recommend formatting the entire hard drive first, Vista removal can be a pain if you do not.

How would I do that?

 

[RodrigoDavy]

How would I do that?

Well, if Linux Mint installer is similar to Ubuntu's there should be an option like "Delete Windows and install Mint" or "Erase the hard drive and install Mint". This should do the trick.

 

[3bbb7]

Well, if Linux Mint installer is similar to Ubuntu's there should be an option like "Delete Windows and install Mint" or "Erase the hard drive and install Mint". This should do the trick.

Ok the unetbootin program wasnt working so I am using pendrivelinux right now to install mint to my usb.

 

[3bbb7]

I installed it and its working amazingly. How do I install compiz though??
I installed CCSM from synaptic and it shows up in control center now but none of the effects are working :/

 

[jurassicplayer]

._. You happen to think to install compiz as well?

 

[stinkoman]

Linux Mint uses the same package manager as Ubuntu, right?
"sudo apt-get install compiz compizconfig-settings-manager"
In the terminal.

 

[3bbb7]

Linux Mint uses the same package manager as Ubuntu, right?
"sudo apt-get install compiz compizconfig-settings-manager"
In the terminal.

Hmm I already had those installed and enabling effects didnt do anything... Ill try reinstalling them

 

[3bbb7]

heres what came up when doing that:

user@user ~ $ sudo apt-get install compiz compizconfig-settings-manager
[sudo] password for user:
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree   
Reading state information... Done
compizconfig-settings-manager is already the newest version.
compiz is already the newest version.
The following packages were automatically installed and are no longer required:
  libwnck2.20-cil python-mutagen python-mpd libgnome-desktop-2-17
  libgnomedesktop2.20-cil librsvg2-2.18-cil dockmanager
  libgnome-keyring1.0-cil
Use 'apt-get autoremove' to remove them.
0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 21 not upgraded.
user@user ~ $

yea whenever I enable something in compiz no effects work.

 

[Rydian]

What model computer?

 

[3bbb7]

What model computer?

Since my last post i figured out how to get it working but I still have another issue. Sometimes when i enable or disable some effects on compiz, all of them stop working and all my effects disapear. The windows switch to how they looked before I enabled compiz. I have to do compiz --replace again to get the effects to work again

Model: http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&objectID=c01632156