If you have an old computer that is gathering dust, and you’re tired of the way it is running, it’s time to give it a new lease on life by installing Linux. As technology advances at an exponential rate, computers are becoming outdated at an unprecedented rate. The Linux operating system is a free, open-source operating system designed to be light and efficient, making it a great choice for reviving an old computer that is no longer working.
The purpose of this article is to provide you with instructions on how to use Linux to revive an old computer and provide some tips on how you can make the most of such a machine.
There are several lightweight Linux distributions that can be used for this purpose
To revive an old computer, the first thing you need to do is choose a lightweight Linux distribution that will be easier to use. Due to the fact that Linux distributions like Ubuntu and Fedora require a lot of processing power and memory, they are not suitable for old computers. In order to get the best results, you should use a lightweight distribution such as Lubuntu, Xubuntu, or Puppy Linux.
In contrast to Ubuntu, Xubuntu uses the Xfce desktop environment, a desktop environment that is known for its speed and low resource utilization. Lubuntu is based on Ubuntu, but it uses the lightweight and efficient desktop environment LXQt. Despite its small size and the fact that it runs entirely in RAM, Puppy Linux is the perfect choice for computers with limited memory capacity.
Creating a bootable USB drive is the second step in the process
You will have to make a bootable USB drive as soon as you have chosen a lightweight Linux distribution. Bootable USB drives are USB drives that contain the operating system and can be used to boot your computer once you have chosen a lightweight Linux distribution. If you want to make a bootable USB drive, you need a USB drive that has at least 4GB of space and an application like Etcher or Rufus.
In order to create a bootable USB drive, you need to download a free and open-source utility known as Etcher, which is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Rufus, on the other hand, is only available for Windows. Both tools are simple to use and will lead you through the process of creating one.
Using the USB Drive as a boot device on the computer is the third step
You will need to access the BIOS or UEFI settings of the computer in order to boot the computer from a bootable USB drive that you have created after creating one. To do that, you will need to go to the BIOS or UEFI settings. In a computer, the BIOS or UEFI settings control most of the basic functions, including how the computer boots up.
It is necessary to press a particular key during the boot process in order to access the BIOS or UEFI settings. This key differs depending on the computer, but it is usually F2, F10, or Del. It is important to change the boot sequence from the USB drive to the BIOS or UEFI settings once you are inside the BIOS or UEFI settings.
Installing the Linux distribution is the fourth step in the process
In order to begin the installation process, you should boot your computer from the USB drive first. The installation process can vary depending on the Linux distribution you have chosen, but it is usually straightforward and easy to understand. It will guide you through the process of partitioning the hard drive, choosing the installation location, and creating a user account, and the installation process once you have booted the computer from the USB drive.
Once the Linux operating system has been installed successfully, you will be able to boot into it and start using your revived computer right away.
An old computer can be used for many different things if you know what to do with it
In the future, you might wonder what you can do with your old computer now that you have revived it with Linux. Here are a few suggestions on what you could do with your old computer:
Stream de luxe – Turn your old computer into a Media Center
Install Kodi or Plex on your old computer and connect it to your TV so that you can create a home theater experience. You can also connect a sound system to your old computer if you want to enhance the audio quality. This will allow you to stream movies, TV shows, and music to your computer.
File server – Your personal cloud
Install a file server software such as Samba or FTP on your old computer so you can use it as a file server to share files among other devices on your network.
This will allow you to easily transfer files between your old computer and other devices on your network without having to use a USB flash drive or external hard drive. It can be done by setting up your old computer to share files with other devices on your network.
There’s more than Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant – Automate your home
Home Assistant or OpenHAB can be installed on your old computer and connected to your smart devices so that you can control them from a central location from a central computer. Home Assistant or OpenHAB can be installed on your old computer. As a result, you are able to automate tasks like turning on the lights, adjusting the thermostat, and watering your plants so they are turned on automatically.
Game away
It is possible to use your old computer to play older games that do not require high-end hardware on it, so you can turn it into a dedicated gaming machine. For a more immersive gaming experience, you can connect a controller to your computer so that you are able to play games like Half-Life, Age of Empires, or SimCity without using a high-end computer.
Learn new things
Installing educational software like GCompris or TuxPaint on your old computer will help you teach your children math, science, or art, and you can even use your computer to take courses online or learn new skills. Your old computer can be put to good use as a learning tool for you or your children.
The web server – responsible for handling web requests
Install a web server software like Apache or Nginx on your old computer and configure it to host your own webpage. This will allow you to have complete control over your website and you will not have to pay for hosting services. This allows you to have complete control over the creation of your webpages.
Video surveillance system for security purposes
Installing a security camera system such as ZoneMinder or MotionEye on your old computer will allow you to make it work as a security camera system. The security cameras can be connected to your computer and you can monitor your home or office. As a result of this, you will be able to have an affordable security system without having to buy expensive equipment.
Keep playing with it
An old computer can be revived using Linux, and you will be able to utilize it more effectively and extend its lifespan. It is quite possible to make your old computer a useful tool for a range of tasks if you choose a lightweight Linux distribution, create a bootable USB drive, and install Linux on it.
The old computer that you currently own can still provide you with value and functionality for years to come, whether it is used as a media center, a file server, a hub for home automation, a dedicated gaming machine, a learning tool, a web server, or a security camera system.
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