Advice on upgrading an XP system to Linux

[Blahman11]

Hello

I would like to change the operating system on an old computer before the impending "XPocalypse". I thought about putting Linux on instead as its free. I would like advice on which version of Linux to get, as there are loads of different types. How easy is Linux to set up nowadays? How different is the GUI to windows?

The System Specs are as follows:

IBM Intellistation Z Pro type 6221
Dual Intel Xeon Prestonia @ 2.8ghz
2gb DDR RAM
Nvidia Quadro 4980 XGL
40gb 5400rpm IDE Hard Drive (I also have a 37gb 15,000rpm SCSI hard drive but when I reinstalled Windows XP after the OS bricked I couldn't get the installer to recognise the thing )

I am aware of the age of the computer. Its very old, 11 years old in fact, but it still works and I essentially want to keep it going to check the emails and do the odd word document (which I know will have to be done with open office instead of Microsoft office). I'm sure I can get Linux to work on it the only problem in my view would be the drivers and the tiny hard drive space.

Thanks for any help

 

[skittle]

Hi welcome to Linux.
First The definition of free is more than you think
Look here for more information:
https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html

As far as GUI's You have quite a few choices. Some are very windows'ish some are more like OSX.
Here is a list of a few with screenshots http://www.howtogeek.com/163154/linux-users-have-a-choice-8-linux-desktop-environments/
If your PC is not very powerful you may want to try XFCE or LXDE first.

As for drivers, 99% of all the drivers you will need are already installed in most linux distrobutions. At most all you might need are wifi firmware as occasionally linux distrobutions cannot freely distribute the firmware for some chipsets.

Suggest you try Ubuntu/Kubuntu/Xubuntu/Lubuntu for your first distrobution as these will have the least amount of work required to get things to work.

Use the program LiLi to write your Linux ISO to a USB flashdrive. You can boot from the flash drive and try Linux without installing anything. If you like it, you can go ahead and install it to your PC.
http://www.linuxliveusb.com/

 

[fil1p]

Hey,

For old machines I usually use Lubuntu, its like Ubuntu but with a lightweight GUI. As skittle said, use LiLi to write the ISO to a USB stick and you can either run it in Live mode (no install) or install it to a drive. Running it in live you can see if everything works like it should. Just make sure to choose your USB stick as a boot device. If you don't want to use a USB stick or cannot use one (compatibility issues) burn the ISO to a disk and install from there.

This should get you started:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Lubuntu/GetLubuntu


Hope this helps!