Revive an old computer with Linux
Living Simply Means Using Things You Already Have
Computers (especially laptops) are some of the most disposable things we initially invest a lot of money in.
These slightly old machines might not hold a charge anymore, be extremely sluggish, maybe they have other minor problems like the webcam does not work anymore or one of the keys are stuck...at worst it's stuck in an infinite loop of trying to boot up.
Unbeknown to the collectors of these unwanted devices the blue-screen-of-death or boot-up purgatory may only be a temporary phase in the machines cycle of life.
Install Linux on it.
Computers (especially laptops) are some of the most disposable things we initially invest a lot of money in.
Two years is the ball park amount of time to get use out of one...maybe three or four if your careful. Wouldn't it be nice to get more use out of a machine that was kind of expensive brand new?
Likewise, if you're without a computer it's not wild speculation to guess that someone you know has one lying around past its prime that they consider junk-just waiting to be hauled off to e-waste or a garage sale (kinda like this one).
This computer was a one off hand-me-down turned workhorse.
Likewise, if you're without a computer it's not wild speculation to guess that someone you know has one lying around past its prime that they consider junk-just waiting to be hauled off to e-waste or a garage sale (kinda like this one).
This computer was a one off hand-me-down turned workhorse.
These slightly old machines might not hold a charge anymore, be extremely sluggish, maybe they have other minor problems like the webcam does not work anymore or one of the keys are stuck...at worst it's stuck in an infinite loop of trying to boot up.
Unbeknown to the collectors of these unwanted devices the blue-screen-of-death or boot-up purgatory may only be a temporary phase in the machines cycle of life.
Install Linux on it.
What do you have to lose? A machine already destined for e-waste?
I have given many worn out and used up laptops a second life by installing Linux on it. Most of the time the computer is as fast as the first day it was bought and comes with some really good software that is free and open source. Often, the basics are covered such as Office-Suites, Web Browsers, Media Players, Email-Clients. They can also come with more complex stuff like photo and audio editing software. If not much of what you need is not hard to find. I mentioned free already right?
Only a fraction of the amount of software available. FOR FREE.
How to install
Get a USB
Use a Working Computer to download some stuff
I have given many worn out and used up laptops a second life by installing Linux on it. Most of the time the computer is as fast as the first day it was bought and comes with some really good software that is free and open source. Often, the basics are covered such as Office-Suites, Web Browsers, Media Players, Email-Clients. They can also come with more complex stuff like photo and audio editing software. If not much of what you need is not hard to find. I mentioned free already right?
Only a fraction of the amount of software available. FOR FREE.
Linux is an operating system, much like OSX on a Macbook or Windows on almost everything else. You put it on a computer and your computer is able to do things.
Get a USB
Use a Working Computer to download some stuff
Step 1-Get one of these doohickeys
Step 2- Click below to check out the two popular versions. You will also need a way to run it from USB. I used this one on the machine I use the most.
Linux Mint
Step 2- Click below to check out the two popular versions. You will also need a way to run it from USB. I used this one on the machine I use the most.
Linux Mint
Ubuntu
Running from USB allows you to check to see everything works before taking the plunge, with the machine featured in all the pictures above everything worked right out of the box. However, parts vary greatly from machine to machine and drivers may not work sometimes.
Word of caution
Running Linux is not for someone who doesn't at least have fundamental knowledge of how things work. When things go wrong they can be a complete hassle. Fortunately with the newest versions out (at least on Mint) everything runs smoothly and just works. Your mileage may vary though...
If everything works you have a computer that boots up and runs quickly that you are able to do real-work on. The kind of work usually only reserved for things that you pay for, all for the price of some garage-sifting and a USB drive.
Running from USB allows you to check to see everything works before taking the plunge, with the machine featured in all the pictures above everything worked right out of the box. However, parts vary greatly from machine to machine and drivers may not work sometimes.
Word of caution
Running Linux is not for someone who doesn't at least have fundamental knowledge of how things work. When things go wrong they can be a complete hassle. Fortunately with the newest versions out (at least on Mint) everything runs smoothly and just works. Your mileage may vary though...
If everything works you have a computer that boots up and runs quickly that you are able to do real-work on. The kind of work usually only reserved for things that you pay for, all for the price of some garage-sifting and a USB drive.
