Installing Linux is an effective way to improve the performance of old notebooks. First, confirm hardware compatibility, including CPU architecture, memory, hard disk and graphics card support; if the memory is less than 2GB, it is recommended to choose lightweight systems such as Lubuntu and Xubuntu; use Rufus or Etcher to create a boot disk, and recommend distributions such as Puppy Linux and Linux Lite that are suitable for old products; before installation, you need to adjust the BIOS settings, turn off the fast boot, and pay attention to partitioning methods and driver issues; after installation, the system should be updated, common software such as Firefox, LibreOffice, VLC should be installed, and power management and desktop environment should be optimized to improve the user experience.
Installing Linux on old laptops is a good way to improve device performance, especially for those who want to continue using old hardware. Linux usually has low system resources requirements and runs smoothly, making it very suitable for old notebooks.

Preparation: Confirm hardware compatibility
Before you start, learn about your laptop configuration. Check the CPU architecture (32-bit or 64-bit), memory size, hard disk capacity, and graphics card model. This information determines which distributions you can choose.

- If the memory is less than 2GB, it is recommended to choose a lightweight system such as Lubuntu or Xubuntu.
- If it is a 32-bit processor, it cannot install a system that only supports 64-bit
- Are network cards and sound cards supported? You can go to the forum of the relevant Linux distribution or wikipedia
Some old notebooks may not have USB boot function, or the optical drive is still available, so you can consider using a DVD installation disk at this time.
Create a boot disk and select a distribution
It is recommended to use Rufus (Windows) or Etcher (cross-platform) to create USB boot disks. Download your favorite Linux distribution ISO file and write it to a USB drive of more than 4GB.

Common options for old jobs:
- Lubuntu : Based on Ubuntu, the interface is simple and the resource occupancy is low
- Linux Lite : Suitable for those who have just moved from Windows, with close operating habits
- Debian XFCE : Stable but slow update, suitable for users who do not pursue the latest software
- Puppy Linux : Very small, it can even run under 128MB of memory
If you are not sure which one is suitable, you can try it from the Live CD, and you can experience the system operation without installing it.
Things to note during installation
There are several details that are easy to ignore during installation:
- BIOS settings: Some old machines do not support USB drive startup by default, and need to enter the BIOS to manually adjust the startup sequence.
- Partition method: If the hard disk is originally Windows XP or Vista, it may be an MBR partition table. Be careful not to make the boot method wrong during installation.
- Driver issue: Some older wireless network cards may require additional driver installation, such as Broadcom's chips
- Turn off fast boot and secure boot: Although most old notebooks do not have this function, remember to turn it off if you have any
It is recommended that novices choose the option "Erase the entire hard drive and install Linux" to avoid partitioning hassle. If you want to keep the original data, you can choose "Manual Partition" or "Coexist with Windows".
Post-installation optimization and common software
After the installation is complete, some basic settings will make it easier for you to use:
- Update system: Most distributions need to be updated online after installation
- Install commonly used software:
- Browser: Firefox or Chromium
- Office software: LibreOffice
- Multimedia player: VLC
- Adjust power management: Old battery life is poor, appropriately reducing screen brightness and turning off Bluetooth can help save power
- Desktop environment selection: If you think the default desktop is too stuck, you can change to a lighter Openbox or Fluxbox
In addition, some old laptop trackpads may have problems, you can try adjusting the sensitivity in the system settings or installing the Synaptics driver .
Basically that's it. As long as you choose the right system, the installation process is not complicated, but some details are easily overlooked. Check if there are any known problems with the model of your laptop, and it will be easier to prepare in advance.
The above is the detailed content of How to install linux on an old laptop. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!

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