# Repurposing an old Window 7 to Linux **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Tags:** computer-hardware\ **Created:** [March 8, 2025, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repurposing-an-old-window-7-to-linux/1015309 "2025-03-08T22:20:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2025, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repurposing-an-old-window-7-to-linux/1015309/61 "2025-03-10T18:09:39Z")
> [@orcenio](#): > > Well some people just like being able to build their own distro. True. I would compare it to building a kit car vs buying a car. If you want a car to use right now for shopping, the best car is not one you have to assemble. If you love the process and idea of building a car perhaps more than the utility of driving, a ready made car is practically an injury. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2025, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repurposing-an-old-window-7-to-linux/1015309/62 "2025-03-11T00:33:37Z")
Arch Linux IME unsurprisingly runs fine and has decent documentation. There are some conveniences, e.g. if you want to set it up for audio production, there is a `pro-audio` metapackage that automatically installs a few dozen dependencies for you. ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2025, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repurposing-an-old-window-7-to-linux/1015309/63 "2025-03-11T03:00:18Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > Someone literally called me a fascist enabler for saying You could really upset them, and run Microsoft Linux. (It is used in MS’s Azure cloud service, and not intended for desktop use, but could be a good base for a lightweight server or a container image.) > **[GitHub - microsoft/azurelinux: Linux OS for Azure 1P services and edge appliances](https://github.com/microsoft/azurelinux)** > > Linux OS for Azure 1P services and edge appliances > [@DPRK](#): > > Arch Linux IME unsurprisingly runs fine and has decent documentation The Arch documentation is generally excellent, and it almost always applies to other Linux systems, because despite all of the talk of different distros, the underlying software is nearly identical, and mostly works the same on all of the Unix like distros. Whether installed by `apt,` `pacman,` `dnf,`or whatever, `vim` (for example) is still `vim,` and is going to be used and configured almost, if not completely, identically. None of that is really helpful for a novice choosing a distro. The important takeaway is to not get too caught up in choosing the “right” one. If you’re running on very new hardware, then choose one of the rolling release, bleeding edge ones, if you’re running on a generic older PC, then just about any will be fine. If you have special hardware (like a Mac), then you might have to do some research. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2025, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repurposing-an-old-window-7-to-linux/1015309/64 "2025-03-11T08:04:35Z")
> [@echoreply](#): > > You could really upset them, and run Microsoft Linux. Thanks for that - I wasn’t completely aware that existed. I’m currently doing a project refurbing a 2011 iMac which is probably going to end up running Linux. It might be fun to offend everyone equally by installing Microsoft Linux on an Apple iMac - just writing it out like that sounds like rage bait. ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2025, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repurposing-an-old-window-7-to-linux/1015309/65 "2025-03-11T12:41:52Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > installing Microsoft Linux on an Apple iMac I’m a fanboi - the last decent Windows release was Windows Server 2000 (man… that was _stable_, in the stablest meaning of the word) I’m also a Linux (Ubuntu)/Windows 10/OSX triple boot nerd. Most of my dev time is in Ubuntu or because I am lazy, but I have options. OTOH, like many \*nix users, I don’t actually use much asode from of the OS, the command line is sufficient. I mean Kubernetes (from Amazon) which is typically (but not always) a feature of Linux (eg, Alpine on AWS). ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2025, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repurposing-an-old-window-7-to-linux/1015309/66 "2025-03-11T16:29:07Z")
> [@SunUp](#): > > Also Gentoo. Bless you. Had that cold long? ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2025, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repurposing-an-old-window-7-to-linux/1015309/67 "2025-03-11T17:44:17Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > refurbing a 2011 iMac Those are just the boring silver/grey screens, right? Too bad, because I’d love to see a video titled “tangerine rage bait”. [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/54/Imac_G3_5_flavors_side_lineup.jpg) ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/54/Imac_G3_5_flavors_side_lineup.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2025, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repurposing-an-old-window-7-to-linux/1015309/68 "2025-03-11T19:20:08Z")
> [@echoreply](#): > > Those are just the boring silver/grey screens, right? Yeah, but basically an i5 Intel PC and the build quality is outstanding. I did have a couple of old ‘snow’ G5 iMacs but I sold them on years ago. Is anyone still making Linux distros for PPC? ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2025, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repurposing-an-old-window-7-to-linux/1015309/69 "2025-03-11T19:39:20Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > Is anyone still making Linux distros for PPC? I wanted to say no, because I knew that YellowDog went away some time ago. But I did a quick search, and I was quite surprised. It looks like Debian still has it as a supported architecture. > **[Debian -- PowerPC Port](https://www.debian.org/ports/powerpc/)** ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2025, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repurposing-an-old-window-7-to-linux/1015309/70 "2025-03-11T20:36:08Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > basically an i5 Intel PC and the build quality is outstanding I had to replace the hard drive on one of those older flat screen iMacs once. The instructions are to use special suction cup tools to lift the glass of the screen up. Toddler suction cup bowls worked perfectly. > **[Munchkin 3pk Stay-Put Suction Bowls](https://www.target.com/p/munchkin-3pk-stay-put-suction-bowls/-/A-14025791#lnk=sametab)** > > Read reviews and buy Munchkin 3pk Stay-Put Suction Bowls at Target. Choose from contactless Same Day Delivery, Drive Up and more. > [@scabpicker](#): > > It looks like Debian still has it as a supported architecture. Linux runs on modern POWER processors. To stay maybe a bit close to on topic (repurposing an old computer to Linux), an opinion question: At work I was given a 2019 13" Mac Air. As @Mangetout says, it is just an i5 Intel PC, but the build quality is outstanding. Everything works _except_ a few bits of RAM. Because the RAM is soldered to the board, the whole computer is trash. However, there are tricks to exclude the bad memory from the OS. When using MacOS this is enough to cause some problems. Mostly the T2 (security) chip and secure booting get disabled, which means certain features, like booting reliably, are disabled. It runs MacOS, but not well, and will not join our enterprise management system. It can run Linux, with special patches to work with the T2 chip. Linux can natively exclude the bad RAM, with no work arounds necessary. The quandary: I already have plenty of Linux computers, one more as my “I sometimes need a laptop in a meeting at work” computer is fine, but of marginal utility, as that rarely comes up. A functional Mac might be more useful, but this one is only barely qualifies as functional. What to do? ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2025, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repurposing-an-old-window-7-to-linux/1015309/71 "2025-04-02T18:43:23Z")
Howdy everyone! Been home with COVID this week, so I’m getting caught up on reading threads like this one, and [this one.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-planning-on-sticking-with-windows-10-and-exercising-prudence-while-taking-their-chances/1015889/138). I’m happy to report that _Reliant_ did fire up effectively the two or three times I powered her up, and the included install of LibreOffice seemed to adequately _open_ a hefty spreadsheet I often use, from a USB thumb drive. I’m contained in one bedrrom this week, in isolation, so I may try to convince my wife to move _Reliant_ out of “drydock” in the home office and here into “sickbay” so I can start doing some work with her. My first question: IIRC, reading somewhere, there was some decent antivirus software out there for Mint . . was it Avast? Norton, IIRC wasn’t available, so I could use some recommendations. Second, the screen is presenting like an early 2000s VGA-style display. Is this typical of Mint without the appropriate graphics card driver (i.e. I should download the appropriate one)? Tripler I am happily open to advice! ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2025, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repurposing-an-old-window-7-to-linux/1015309/72 "2025-04-03T05:00:59Z")
> [@Tripler](#): > > Second, the screen is presenting like an early 2000s VGA-style display. Is this typical of Mint without the appropriate graphics card driver (i.e. I should download the appropriate one)? I have had that issue installing Linux on _brand new_ laptops with relatively new hardware: e.g., if you need the Intel Xe driver (or support for your sound/wireless card…) There is no way you do not already have drivers like i915 already built in. What graphics card do you have? You can easily print out useful information by installing the `inxi` program and running `inxi -G` in a terminal window. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2025, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repurposing-an-old-window-7-to-linux/1015309/73 "2025-07-26T18:06:09Z")
Well now that I’ve _ **finally** _ got a morning off to work on the _Reliant_ . . . I fired up the machine today and checked for updates which were dutifully downloaded. I came here to post, and saw your note @ssDPRK: ` Graphics: Device-1: Intel Mobile 4 Series Integrated Graphics driver: i915 v: kernel Device-2: Quanta HP Webcam driver: uvcvideo type: USB Display: x11 server: X.Org v: 21.1.11 with: Xwayland v: 23.2.6 driver: X: loaded: modesetting unloaded: fbdev,vesa dri: crocus gpu: i915 resolution: 1366x768~60Hz API: EGL v: 1.5 drivers: crocus,swrast platforms: gbm,x11,surfaceless,device API: OpenGL v: 4.5 compat-v: 2.1 vendor: intel mesa v: 24.2.8-1ubuntu1~24.04.1 renderer: Mesa Mobile Intel GM45 Express (CTG) ` I’m not really sure what I’m looking at, although my screen seems to be locked into a better resolution after the updates (1366 x 768). Is there better for a 15" inch laptop screen? This is cool though! Tripler Aww look, my first SDMB post from a resurrected/Linux laptop! ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2025, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repurposing-an-old-window-7-to-linux/1015309/74 "2025-07-26T18:11:47Z")
What model is your laptop? 1366x768 is pretty low for a 15" screen, even for a 2011 machine, but not impossibly so. You can find out your screen’s native resolution by looking up its specs by model number. It will look better if you set it to that resolution Which Linux distro did you end up installing? Linux Mint? Not sure if these instructions are recent enough: [Linux Mint: How to Configure Your Output Resolution - Technipages](https://www.technipages.com/linux-mint-configure-output-resolution/) ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2025, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repurposing-an-old-window-7-to-linux/1015309/75 "2025-07-26T18:20:16Z")
Hrm, good first point . . . I had to look it up, and apparently am maxxed out at resolution: “_The HP Pavilion dv6-1363cl Entertainment PC has a screen resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels_” I can dig it. I did end up installing Mint, yes! Now I’m kind of feeling it out as far as utility in having a laptop at the dinner table, and apps to use! Tripler This admittedly is kind of nifty! ---
**Author:** ![orcenio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/orcenio/32/1036_2.png) [@orcenio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orcenio)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2025, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repurposing-an-old-window-7-to-linux/1015309/76 "2025-07-26T22:31:22Z")
> [@Tripler](#): > > I did end up installing Mint, yes! Now I’m kind of feeling it out as far as utility in having a laptop at the dinner table, and apps to use! If you want something really trippy [install Quickemu](https://github.com/quickemu-project/quickemu?tab=readme-ov-file#documentation) on your machine which will automates the installation of VM’s of other linux OS’s, MacOS, and even Windows. Yes, you can run these OS’s on your Linux Mint. No problem. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/87MCT3Ekjlo/maxresdefault.jpg "Quickemu") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87MCT3Ekjlo) ETA: I forgot that the whole reason you installed linux was because of your hardware limitations, so using it to hop through VM’s might be stretching your system’s limits… but tooling around like this is still an option. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2025, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repurposing-an-old-window-7-to-linux/1015309/77 "2025-07-27T06:38:38Z")
Sounds like… everything is working, then. Good work, and have fun! ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2025, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repurposing-an-old-window-7-to-linux/1015309/78 "2025-07-27T16:57:10Z")
> [@Tripler](#): > > Hrm, good first point . . . I had to look it up, and apparently am maxxed out at resolution: > > “_The HP Pavilion dv6-1363cl Entertainment PC has a screen resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels_” I can dig it. > > I did end up installing Mint, yes! Now I’m kind of feeling it out as far as utility in having a laptop at the dinner table, and apps to use! Congratulations! The several times I’ve ventured into Linux (admittedly, at least 15 years ago – I imagine things have changed a lot!) I soon ventured right back to Windows. But I’m currently accumulating enough spare computers that I might sacrifice one of them and try again, maybe with Mint. Regarding monitor resolution, the only acceptable resolution on an LCD monitor is its native one, so you have the right setting now. Anything below native resolution is going to look bad because of dithering. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2025, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repurposing-an-old-window-7-to-linux/1015309/79 "2025-08-17T20:19:41Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > A 2011 computer might be underpowered for Ubuntu. I just repurposed an old computer to be a VPN server and I used BunsenLabs Linux ([https://www.bunsenlabs.org/](https://www.bunsenlabs.org/)). The interface looks nothing like Windows, but it has short-cut keys for all the necessary tools, and a listing of the shortcuts is always on the screen. There are flavors of Ubuntu that are friendlier to older machines. I installed Xubuntu a couple of months ago, though I haven’t yet put it through its paces. There are even faster versions. I like Ubuntu because its wider user base makes it easy to debug via a google search. Relevant Reddit thread from one year ago. > **[Reddit - The heart of the internet](https://www.reddit.com/r/linux4noobs/comments/170o6rt/best_linux_distro_for_older_laptop/)** ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2025, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repurposing-an-old-window-7-to-linux/1015309/80 "2025-08-17T21:51:43Z")
I installed Mint on a 10 year old desktop and the only issue I had was that an external WiFi adapter didn’t work. I just ran an Ethernet cable to the NIC. I administered Red Hat servers for many years so I could do the command line stuff in Mint but so far haven’t needed to. If you’re like most people, 80-90% (WAG) of what you do will be through a browser. I don’t think you’ll miss Windows. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repurposing-an-old-window-7-to-linux/1015309.md?page=3)