From: nospam@needed.invalid   
      
   On Fri, 2/6/2026 7:36 AM, Graham J wrote:   
   > I would like to learn to use Linux.   
   >   
   > I have an old PC which I could use.  It is:   
   >   
   > HP Pavilion Slimline   
   > Model ID    = s3240.uk   
   > Motherboard    = ASUS M2N61-AR (HP OEM)   
   > CPU        = AMD Athlon 64 Dual Core 4400+ at 2.3 GHz   
   > RAM         = 1GB   
   > Disk        = 1TB SSHD (previously used)   
   > Network        = nVidia nForce Networking Controller   
   >   
   >    
   > says that the CPU is 64-bit.   
   >   
   > The CD-ROM is the only bootable device for removable media.   
   >   
   > My immediate interest is using a web browser, and a modern email client.   
   >   
   > Can anybody suggest a suitable Linux version for me to install?   
   >   
   > TIA   
   >   
      
   Linux Mint 21.3 is fine.   
      
   If you scroll down, you can see "Release Date" 2024-01-10   
   and "End Of Life" 2027-04.   
      
   Cinnamon  Buttery smooth   
   MATE   
   Xfce      Low resource usage (good for older machines)   
      
   We sometimes use (Mirror Sites) like university sites in Canada, for downloads,   
   to offload any central servers.   
      
      https://linuxmint.com/mirrors.php   
      
   I'm using this, just to show how a mirror site displays the goods.   
      
      https://mirror.csclub.uwaterloo.ca/linuxmint/stable/21.3/   
      
   linuxmint-21.3-cinnamon-64bit-edge.iso             16-Jan-2024 16:04      3G   
   <=== really new hardware 2026   
   linuxmint-21.3-cinnamon-64bit.iso                  09-Jan-2024 12:59      3G   
   <=== live a little...   
   linuxmint-21.3-mate-64bit.iso                      09-Jan-2024 13:11      3G   
   linuxmint-21.3-xfce-64bit.iso                      09-Jan-2024 13:26      3G   
   <=== low resource usage   
   sha256sum.txt                                      18-Jan-2024 10:39     397   
   sha256sum.txt.gpg                                  18-Jan-2024 10:40     833   
      
   *******   
      
   Here is me, playing with the said item, in a VM. This was already installed   
   and has been sitting there for a while now (Sept2024). It wants to do updates   
   :-)   
   I had to take the picture, before it started "acting needy".   
      
      [Picture]   
      
       https://i.postimg.cc/VNKfJLpj/LM213-XFCE.gif   
      
   *******   
      
   But now we get to the sticky part. Your graphics.   
      
   Your machine has an x16 slot. It can take a graphics card as an add-on.   
   For example, a GT1030 might fit in the slot.   
      
   Otherwise, the 6150SE iGPU on your system, is covered somewhat here. The   
   340 driver was released in 2013. And it works on a 4.15 or so, version of   
   kernel.   
      
      https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?t=337332   
      
   While Nouveau might certainly work for your hardware, I don't know that   
   for a fact. This aspect then, will be the "experiment". I can't verify   
   here, as I don't have one of those. They were quite popular and were   
   cranked out by the millions over several years.   
      
   The reason I mention the GT1030, is I bought one here about three months ago.   
   My computer store buys batches of (to them) obsolete graphics cards.   
   My Optiplex refurb needed a small "boost", as the previous 13 watt   
   card I stuffed in it, the acceleration effect from that one was about zero.   
   The 13 watt card cost me $39.95 and was the cheapest video card I ever bought.   
   Whereas the gutless GT1030 is "5X as powerful" and it cost me $99.00 in   
   this time of shortage and rationing. I wouldn't say it was a "good deal",   
   but it's certainly less than the $300 I would have paid otherwise for a low   
   end one.   
      
      Paul   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)