Old laptop Help ( IBM Thinkpad 380d)

**JAMOS123** · May 13th, 2008

Hi all,
I would like to ask for your help my laptop does not meet the requirements (processors) for xp or UBUNTU Thats a big prob cause i need a good looking OS. Is it safe to install one of them or would the cpu laptop explode?

PLZ HELP

JAMOS123

**mokshadaya** · May 13th, 2008

LOL. That would be quite a site to see the processor blow up!

I have installed Xubuntu on some REALLY old hardware. Most specifically on a very old Gateway laptop. Everything works great considering that it's not real fast. So you might be better off trying Xubuntu or even Fluxbuntu.... or you may even try the Enlightenment environment.

Good luck!!

**jtrindle** · May 13th, 2008

It won't explode but it might not install from the Live CD.

I was unable to make it through graphical install of either 7.10 or 8.04 on a Gateway Solo 9300 Pentium III 450 MHz with 128M of RAM. It's the RAM that's a killer, I believe.

The command line install worked and I'm going to add in X as soon as I get my wireless working.

How much RAM do you have?

**kerry_s** · May 13th, 2008

i don't think so, looking at the specs->

Code:

  ThinkPad 380D

This page gives an overview of all ThinkPad 380D related topics.
Standard Features

    * One of the following processors:
          o Intel Pentium 150 CPU
          o Intel Pentium MMX 150 CPU 
    * Neomagic MagicGraph128ZV with 1.125MB
          o 12.1" DSTN display with 800x600 resolution
          o 12.1" TFT display with 800x600 resolution 
    * 16MB memory standard
    * 1.35 or 2.1GB HDD
    * CS4236B Audio controller
    * 1.44MB FDD (non-removable)
    * CD-ROM drive (non-removable)
    * IrDA 1.1
    * (2) Type II, or (1) Type III PCMCIA slot

there is no way you going to get any ubuntu on that.
your best bet, for a decent looking os would be->
http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/
or
http://www.delilinux.de/

which is specially made for stuff like that.
there's more i got to look them up though.

**darrelljon** · May 19th, 2008

Both Xubuntu and XP would quickly take up almost the whole hard disk drive.
Xubuntu requires 1.5Gb hard disk space to install.
Windows XP requires 1.5Gb hard disk space to install.

Go with Damn Small Linux which only requires around 200Mb hard disk space to install.
To be honest, you may not even be able to boot from CD on an old BIOS in which case you will need a boot floppy.