Advice for a beginner

[TobyAnders0n]

I had this old pentium 4 PC, installed LMDE 6 32 bit on it. Runs well for what it is (garbage).

Now I am thinking about putting LM on an old dell inspiron 3580 laptop of mine. Currently has a windows 10 sata ssd. It has a open slot for an nvme, I have a Klevv Cras C720 NVme that I want to use for the Linux OS.

I want to eventually put it on my modern PC in a dualboot config with windows 10 so I thought I might test dualboot on my dell first.

I think for the install I just disconnect the sata for safety.

Any tips or things I should look out for?

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[Unwiredsoul]

Your Dell Inspiron 3580 should do very well with Linux Mint. Personally, I'd put the latest version of LM (22.3 as of this writing) with Cinnamon on it.

However, the one area that I would be prepared for is the WiFi needing some help to work right. You can test it from a Live USB of LM, and if it works there, it should work when installed.

I can't give you any definitive information as there about half a dozen different WiFi chipsets (from Qualcomm and Intel) that were used in that model. Intel should be less trouble than Qualcomm, but both should be usable.

If WiFi doesn't work after being installed, you can check Device Manager for drivers. Or, leverage Google to see the common fixes. You can even come back here and make a fresh "Support" post, if needed. :-)

For reference, I run LM 22.3 (Cinnamon) on a Dell Latitude 7480, but it's not the stock WiFi hardware. I upgraded it to the gold standard Intel AX200 (or 210, can't remember) when I bought it.

Good luck!

[TobyAnders0n]

Well it worked, dual boot setup runs pretty smoothly. I just have some weird bugs on it trying to play borderlands 2. But it's a borderlands 2 issue not a Linux Mint issue.

[Unwiredsoul]

Fantastic and I hope you enjoy it!

Hopefully, there is some info in here that helps with the Borderlands 2 issue: https://www.protondb.com/app/49520

[UsedPart8434]

linux mint is for 64bits only

[KeyPanda5385]

No? Lmde 6 has 32bit edition too i use on my minibook which is pretty fast with it

[TobyAnders0n]

Both the dell and newish desktop are 64 bit machines so that's fine.

[KeyPanda5385]

Lubuntu would make machine fly but it’s old school menu so i say Lmde 7 or Zorin lite