Get rid of your closet funds and restart an old computer by giving it a second life thanks to a Linux distribution adapted to your needs.
When we talk about the possible solutions to put in place to resurrect an old PC, lovers of Free Software all have the same message and generally make their voices heard: Install Linux. And they are (at least partly) right. First of all because this operating system is completely free and free. But also and above all because it is often much less demanding in terms of hardware performance. All machines (or almost), regardless of their age, are capable of running a Linux distribution.
Unfortunately, adopting Linux isn’t nearly as easy as “Linuxians” would have you believe, for several reasons. Already, there is not a single Linux distribution, but several dozen using different kernels. Good, some would say. But among these dozens of Linux distributions, there are also several variations, adapted to different uses, and different configurations. Just take a look at two of the best-known distributions: Ubuntu and Linux Mint. Ubuntu has six variants: Ubuntu Budgie, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Ubuntu Mate, Lubuntu, and Ubuntu Studio. As for Linux Mint, the distribution exists in three versions: Linux Mint Cinnamon Edition (the most commonly used), Linux Mint Mate Edition, and Linux Mint Xfce Edition.
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Why are there so many variations? Simply because Linux offers different desktop environments. For laymen, a desktop environment is what characterizes the interface of the operating system. There are several, more or less heavy and demanding in terms of power. And it is undoubtedly this too great richness in the offer which makes the choice of a complex distribution for the uninitiated. This operating system still has an OS image reserved for a handful of geeks who must manipulate a Terminal with command lines to install applications, when this is not the case. Things have come a long way for the better, and have been greatly simplified over the past few years. In particular thanks to the arrival of software managers, real “App Store” in which it has become possible, as easily as on a smartphone, to search, download and install applications.
Also read: How to bring an old PC back to life by installing Chrome OS?
For our manipulation, we opted for Linux Mint in its original form, for its interface very similar to that of Windows, which should not confuse future former users of the Microsoft OS. However, you can choose another Linux distribution corresponding exactly to your needs by going, for example, to This site. After completing the questionnaire offered by Distrochooser (available in French by clicking on the drop-down menu at the top right of the screen), this service will suggest several Linux distributions that can meet your expectations.
We use for this manipulation an entry-level PC, a 2015 Lenovo G50-30, unable to run Windows decently, even after replacing the mechanical hard drive with an SSD. Note also that the installation, often at a lower cost, of a little more RAM as well as an SSD in an old PC will allow you to reboost it enough to give it a few additional years of life.
Read also: How to turn an old PC into a retrogaming game console?
1. Download the Linux installation image
Start by grabbing the installation disk image of the Linux distribution of your choice. We selected Linux Mint, but any other Linux distro that suits your needs will allow you to bring an old PC back to life.
Download Linux Mint 64 bit (Free)
2. Download and install Etcher
Then download and install the Balena Etcher utility. This free and open source tool allows you to create bootable installation devices from disk images of operating systems in just a few clicks. Balena Etcher is available on all platforms.
Download Etcher for Windows (Free)
Download Etcher for macOS (Free)
Download Etcher for Linux (Free)
3. Create the Bootable USB Drive
Launch the Etcher application and click on the Flash from File button.
In the file explorer window that opens, navigate to the directory containing the Linux installation disk image, select it, and click Open.
Then click the Select target button in Etcher.
Select your installation USB key by checking the box provided for this purpose and then click on the Select button.
Then launch the writing of the OS on your USB key by clicking on the Flash! button. Etcher will then “flash” the disk image on your USB key so that it is recognized when your computer starts as an installation device.
When the process ends, Etcher displays the message Flash Complete!. You can then close the application and remove the USB key from your PC.
4. Boot your old PC on the USB drive
Now that your USB key containing the Linux distribution is ready, connect it to your machine and start your computer. If your machine is already configured to boot first to an external storage device, skip to the next step.
On the other hand, if nothing happens, or if your PC starts on the old OS already in place, you must configure it to modify the boot order. To do this, you need to enter the BIOS/UEFI of the device. The manipulation to be carried out differs on each machine. Some manufacturers indicate when starting their PC which key to press to access the BIOS. These are often the Esc, Del, F1, F2, F8 or F10 keys. If no information is displayed at startup, refer to the user’s manual of the computer or do a direct search on Google by integrating the reference of your machine.
5. Start Linux Live
When your PC boots to the USB, a screen with several options should appear, select Start Linux Mint.
You should then initiate a “live” session of Linux, running from the USB key. Once the session is loaded, you arrive at the desktop of the operating system. This allows you to have a first glimpse, but also and above all to play a little with it.
6. Run the Linux installation hard on your machine
On the Linux desktop, double-click the Install Linux disk icon to start the “hardware” installation on your old PC.
7. Choose a language and keyboard layout
In the first Install window, select your language and click the Continue button.
Now you need to select the Keyboard Layout. In the left pane, your language (French) is selected by default, while the right pane allows you to choose a keyboard layout corresponding to that of your machine, French (azerty) generally on machines purchased in France.
If you are unsure, click the Detect Keyboard Layout button and follow the on-screen instructions. When the correct keyboard layout is chosen, click Continue.
8. Select the network card
Depending on your machine’s connection type, Linux may ask you to select the network card to use. If so, you should come to a Wireless Network window. Select Connect to this network, then choose the network card to use for the wireless connection below. Then click Continue.
9. Download Media Codecs
The next window offers to Install multimedia codecs. Check the associated box and click the Continue button.
10. Choose an installation type
You must now select an Installation Type. While it is possible to manage installation partitions manually, it is best to let the wizard manage the installation of Linux on your machine.
By default, the Erase disk and install Linux option is selected. Keep this choice and click Install Now.
11. Validate the installation
An alert window asking for confirmation to format the partitions (and thus erase all the data therein) is displayed. Click Continue.
12. Select a time zone
You must now configure certain settings for your installation so that your PC can be used immediately on restart.
In the Where are you? that appears, select the time zone corresponding to your geographic location and click Continue.
13. Create your user profile
The next window proposes to create your user profile. Fill in your name, give your machine a name, and choose a username and password. Then click Continue.
The installation process starts. Wait until all the files necessary for the proper functioning of the system are copied to the hard disk of your PC.
Once the installation is complete, a window prompting you to restart your PC. Click Restart Now.
When the screen saying Please remove the installation medium, then press Enter appears, remove the installation USB key from your machine and press the Enter key on the keyboard.
You are now the proud owner of an (almost) brand new PC. You can then configure your machine by first connecting it to your Wi-Fi by clicking on the dedicated icon displayed at the bottom right of the screen (as on Windows).
Linux Mint has a number of preinstalled applications such as the Firefox web browser, the Thunderbird mail client, the Transmission download manager or the LibreOffice office suite, but you can download new ones from the Software Center, accessible from the menu main OS, in the column displayed on the far left of the screen.