Installing Linux on an old Laptop??

Question

I have an older laptop, a Compaq Armada m700, and a couple years ago it stopped running the desktop.In other words, it could start and run, but it would get to the desktop or somewhere in the booting phase and just stop working. I don't have an install disk for it, so I can't wipe it.

Well, since then I have gotten a WinXP laptop and am using that for Games and such, but I believe that it is a software problem and not a hardware issue. So, I thought maybe I could install a version of Linux on it to give it new life.
I guess what I'm really asking is Can I install Linux on the laptop and use it instead of 98, even though 98 doesn't work? (Kind of install Linux from a disk like an install disk)

Answer 1

I'd go along with the Damn Small Linux suggestion, although if it has at least 128 MB of RAM, I'd get Xubuntu for it, and if it has 256 MB, try Kubuntu or Ubuntu.

Answer 2

Any notebook of the Armada M700 series can be equipped with a CD-Rom 24X or DVD-Rom 8X drives.

If you do not have one of the above drives, try to obtain one. This way you may be able to install the Linux os on your Compaq Armada M700. You may require a boot diskette to access the CD-ROM/DVD.

Try to obtain a Win98 startup diskette. It will allow your to access the CD-ROM/DVD.

Specs for the Compaq Armada M700

Portable systems market has considerably extended this year. Although there are more and more notebooks working at frequencies exceeding 1 GHz and containing the most up-to-date video accelerators the manufacturers do remember about the mid-range machines. Exactly the mid-range notebooks are best selling today ($1200 - $1600). Although there is nothing ultra-modern, a 500-750 MHz processor and 64-128 MBytes RAM are more than enough for standard office applications. As for displays, there are usually 13" or 14" ones which are comparable to a 15" monitor. On the whole, I advise you to get the most balanced solution with good multimedia possibilities. Don't strive for hertz since a modern even mid-range notebook can be a good substitute for a home computer.

Compaq M700. Well, this one is a typical business-class machine. It has an austere design, a convenient keyboard, can be easily upgraded and is relatively cheap. It weighs and measures just a bit more than the notebooks of the Slim series. On the other hand, it allows the Armada to have a full-sized keyboard, a TFT screen, a case protected with a magnesium alloy and a MultiBay where you install any drive of a certain format offered by Compaq or an additional battery. It has 64 or 128 MBytes RAM in case of a standard package and 576 MBytes in case of the maximum package. Almost all Armada M700 models are equipped with an Intel Mobile Pentium III working at 450MHz and with an ATI Rage Mobility video adapter with 8 MBytes memory. Such a video adapter can display an image on two monitors at the same time.

Any notebook of the Armada M700 series can be equipped with a CD-Rom 24X or DVD-Rom 8X drives. Among external ports there is a TV-out. Functions of PC Card models are extended as compared with the previous models: now both support the Zoomed Video mode.

The notebook ships with either 6 GBytes HDD or 10 GBytes or 12 GBytes one.

The M700 system is compatible not only with new Docking Stations but also with those released for the 7400 Armada Station II series.

Notebooks of the new series can be connected to a network since a modem-network card incorporates RJ-11 and RJ-45 connectors.

Technical specifications

Processor: Intel Pentium III 500 MHz
Memory: 128 MBytes (expandable to 576 MBytes (in fact to 256 MBytes).
Hard disc: Toshiba MK1214GAP 11.2 GBytes
CD-Rom drive: 24x (removable)
FDD can be used as built-in or as external via an LPT port (the cable ships with the notebook)
Matrix: 14.1" TFT LCD SVGA
Video: ATI Rage Mobility P AGP 8Má SDRAM (resolution on a built-in monitor up to 1024X768 at 32bit, on an external monitor up to 1024X768 at 64K colors)
Sound: ESS Maestro, 2 built-in speakers, microphone
Modem: integrated V.90 standard 56K fax/modem (ITU V.90, 56K data, 14.4K fax)
Network: 10/100 Intel Pro/100+ MiniPCI, Full Duplex supported
Integrated ports: 2 PCMCIA II slots, IrDA, PS/2 keyboard/mouse, COM, LPT, VGA, USB, TV-out
Keyboard: 102 keys
EasyPoint IV(TM) 3D Pointing Stick
Dimensions: 31.5X24.9X2.8 cm
Weight: 2.2 kg



Good Luck

Answer 3

Linspire 5.0 is a great linux os but it needs 128 meg of ram to operate if ya got it go for it at this point you cant lose
Unbutu linux is another good linux os and they are all free as iso files you can burn to a cd and then instal as usual

Answer 4

One advice for those who want to try out Linux, download the Damn Small Linux Live CD version. You can try it out without reformat your current working laptop.

:)

Answer 5

I don't know too much about computers, but maybe you can reformat the hard drive of the old computer and then try to install Linux and see if it works.

Good luck

Answer 6

I'm pretty sure Ubuntu has alot of network drivers, so i would try that. Not too sure on the OD, though. Just put a bootable copy of ubuntu on a flash drive and stick it in, open up your BIOS and change the flashdrive as the first bootable drive and restart. Should start up, unless the copy of ubuntu is bad.

Answer 7

Yes, just go to ubuntu.com and download or order whatever version u want and follow the instructions on that page and once you have your "live disc" just run it andclick on the install icon on your new desktop thingy