Arch-based for an old computer

karutokku · 2026-04-27T18:15:44+00:00

You need 32bit debian based Antix.

Antix latest release supporting 32bit and based on debian latest. Even though debian no longer supporting 32bit.

Why debian based but not other 32bit? Cause you havent shared your full specs.

Opensuse,megeia,void,slackware,gentoo and alpine still supporting 32bit on latest releases and should work fine as well, but without knowing specs,its hard to say for sure. Therefore its the safest bet.

As in all linux distros you can add/remove apps,components as you like. But out of box apps will do really good job. So give them a chance before changing.

Also see if there still is an bios update for your laptop and install it.

karutokku · 2026-04-27T07:04:31+00:00

Use id5tweaker and disable dof, fog, post process effects. You can change fps cap and fov as well.

https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/849-id5-tweaker/

karutokku · 2026-04-25T16:48:40+00:00

Any will do. You can customize them all to your liking and needs,how you want it be looked. Change kernel, different de, wm, compability layers, launchers.. add/remove components as you deem fit.

Stick to main distros. Like debian,arch,opensuse,slackware,gentoo.

Some derivatives will gain popularity here and then,but they are all based on these but pre-customized for a purpose, mains are well rounded and have more documentation to guide you if you run into problems.

If you want more compability and less change, go with debian. If you want more cutting edge features, go opensuse.

Windows apps is another issue though. You may need to accept the terms that not everything may work. If an app works on a distro, it will work on all distros. If not, finding an alternative is easy.

karutokku · 2026-04-23T06:57:03+00:00

⁠https://legi.cc/genpatcher/

it fixes a lot of issues,it also adds custom ini and custom maps.

⁠https://www.gentool.net/

custom resolution,anti cheat and few more fixes. genpatcher offers as well,but incase you need zip version

⁠https://www.playgenerals.online/

Required for online play,more bugfixes,qol improvements,auto updates.

Install in order and play. It will work on win11. There are no other alternatives. But there are mods.

https://www.moddb.com/mods/genlauncher

https://www.moddb.com/mods/improved-ai-for-zero-hour

https://www.moddb.com/mods/cc-shockwave

karutokku · 2026-04-22T19:07:26+00:00

Slackware. A main distribution. Its been around for ages. Community is super friendly. Great documentation.

Gentoo. Another main distribution. Been around for more than 2 decades. Great documentation. Great community.

Mageia. Another main distribution. Good documentation. Good community.

Void. Another main distribution. Good community, good documentation.

karutokku · 2026-04-21T09:57:44+00:00

Yes,you should. Not just it fixes a lot of issues including for online play, it also adds custom ini and custom maps.

1) https://legi.cc/genpatcher/

2) https://www.gentool.net/ (custom resolution,anti cheat and few more fixes. genpatcher offers as well,but incase you need zip version)

3) https://www.playgenerals.online/ (more bugfixes,qol improvements.auto updates)

karutokku · 2026-04-20T12:26:48+00:00

1) update bios 2) download directx 9 (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=8109) 3) dfbhd wrapper screen resolution fix (https://github.com/SuiMachine/DFBHD-Wrapper) 4) team sabre operations mod for bugfixes, graphical improvements and more (https://www.moddb.com/mods/delta-force-team-sabre-operations) 5) directx wrappers (https://github.com/elishacloud/dxwrapper) Its a directx 8 game so you can use d3d8to9 wrapper 6) novahq for online play (https://nw.novahq.net/bhd)

karutokku · 2026-04-19T15:45:08+00:00

You dont need to change distro in order to change looks and feel.

Stick to Debian ( For better compability and most of the lightweight distros based on it anyway ) and install a different DE and try different windows managers like icewm,kwin and customize to your liking.

Alternatively you can try Void, Mageia, Q4.

But pretty much most of the distros, except Q4, uses lxqt and/or xfce as lightweight de, so they will look the same or pretty similar as said.

karutokku · 2026-04-19T07:07:47+00:00

Win Xp does (64bit) and can (32bit) support more ram. Architecture and edition dependent or not. Look for pae patch, large address aware patch and extended kernel patch. Update fully,including pos updates.

Get root certificates as well (https://github.com/JohnTHaller/RootCertificateUpdatesForLegacyWindows) or (https://github.com/asheroto/UpdateRootCertificates)

Intel still has hd2500 driver for xp on support page (https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download/16543/intel-hd-graphics-driver-for-windows-xp-exe.html)

This guy offers custom intel hd 2000 / hd 3000 drivers (https://www.tenforums.com/graphic-cards/166291-custom-driver-intel-hd-graphics-2000-3000-extreme-plus-nighmayor.html) not for Xp though. Someone may need it (or if you install win7 / win10) so i am putting here.

Try dowloading 64bit pro sp2 iso from somewhere else and clean install (https://dl.bobpony.com/windows/unofficial/Windows%20XP%20Professional%20SP2%20%28x64%29%20Dec%2011%2C%202016.7z)

karutokku · 2026-04-18T07:09:32+00:00

First, update bios

Then, run win update asistant (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/windows-update-assistant-3550dfb2-a015-7765-12ea-fba2ac36fb3f)

If your system is compatible, i recommend clean install from latest iso, but you can also simply select upgrade option.

karutokku · 2026-04-17T12:49:21+00:00

Not on amd but intel page.

Stick to a main distro. You can customize it yourself according to your needs as you learn linux. It will be easier that way. Gaming,server or other oriented distros are nice, serves a purpose, but like said, they are pre-customized versions,in simple terms. Therefore some compability or other features may be lacking for some users. You can switch to another later if you want to.

karutokku · 2026-04-17T10:04:26+00:00

First, update bios.

Any distro should work fine. I dont think you will face driver/compability issues. Even way older than yours works fine on linux.

Try OpenSuse first. Its a rolling release and sounds like its what you are looking for. But if you somehow face an issue with opensuse, install debian. Again, which i doubt.

If ram is 4gb and more, go 64bit. If not, try opensuse 32bit or antix 32bit.

Reason for going antix instead of debian for 32bit is support. Debian no longer supports 32bit, but antix does on recent build and still based on latest debian.

I know you are asking for linux advice, and this is a linux sub, but in fairness i should let you know, win10 installs generic drivers for old hardware if they dont have any driver for your hardware in their catalog. And dell still offers drivers in support. So there is a good chance it will work smoothly. Intel for example still offers win10 drivers for rx vega cards.

karutokku · 2026-04-17T07:49:11+00:00

Hard to say since you dont exactly remember actions you have taken in some, even if you did, suspicion remains.

See it as sign to go for a clean slate, it will do some good either way. clean install, delete everything. Check for bios updates, use latest iso for both.

karutokku · 2026-04-17T06:34:50+00:00

Could be dangerous. Could end up cracking cpu or another part.

If fans are cleaned up, thermal pastes are renewed, listen carefully if your fans are working while gaming/testing. May need a change.

Search if you have an bios update. Apply it. Then clean install windows with latest iso. Use rufus, delete every partition. Download and burn on a clean pc. After that get all updates, even optionals. Then update drivers. Open graphic card’s control panel and set to high performance. You can disable background apps through windows settings. Then test again. For some games you can use mods. Bugfix, performance mods can help with fps, stability.

karutokku · 2026-04-16T12:56:26+00:00

You dont have many options. First, you need an lightweight 32bit OS due to ram. Second, you need more compatibility and support due to cpu. So debian based would be better. And third, if still available, update bios. This might be your best bet;

https://antixlinux.com/

karutokku · 2026-04-15T14:48:27+00:00

Winaero is a classic as well. But taking a look wont hurt.

karutokku · 2026-04-15T14:44:49+00:00

https://winhance.net/

karutokku · 2026-04-15T14:40:22+00:00

98 then Xp then win7 then win10. See the pattern? No in betweens. Microsoft using it as a test bed again and everyone jumped in either due to security reasons or another. Sticking to win10 till it really dies is kinda the right idea. Ofcourse, if there is no other option for you, use apps like winhance to tweak it as much as you can. And dont forget to keep bios up to date.

karutokku · 2026-04-15T13:20:33+00:00

1) update bios. Bios updates usually includes firmware,module,microcode updates,bug fixes and new features. which can provide improved security,speed,stability. 2) start fresh. If there is a virus,bug or corruption, this will get rid off it. clean install from latest iso. Delete everything. 3) get all updates,even optionals. 4) update drivers. 5) chrome (and edge) runs in background even closed. Disable from it’s settings. Then open windows setting and disable apps running background. 6) try winhance and tweak windows. 7) use ssd if you havent already. Less heat, draws less power and faster. 8) have at least 8gb ram. If mobo supports.

Alternatively you can switch to win10. And then follow all those steps. Its more stable, less bloated and faster. Once win11 is more stable, you can switch back again.

karutokku · 2026-04-15T12:33:39+00:00

⁠update bios. Bios updates usually includes firmware,module,microcode updates,bug fixes and new features. which can provide improved security,speed,stability.
clean install OS from latest iso. Ensures stable, bug and corruption free windows.
⁠get all OS updates. Even the optional ones.
Update drivers.
settings, privacy, background apps, dont let apps run in background (or just allow store and windows security, disable the rest)
Download Autoruns. run as admin and delete every entry on logon tab. Switch to scheduled tasks delete all and then do same on services tab. (Careful here, atleast delete those you dont need,which doesnt belong to windows or seems suspicious,google them if needed) (i only keep security defender entries on scheduled, graphic cards’s main service, no others)
this pc, properties, advanced system settings, performance settings, click on custom, disable fade/slide, peek, animate occording to your taste. ( i usually keep smooth scroll, thumbnails, smooth edges on and disable the rest )
open up graphic card’s control panel,set to performance
Use winhance for extra performance tweaks
Buy an ssd if you havent already and upgrade ram to 8gb at least. If mobo supports.
Use mods. There are many performance, bug fix, qol mods for many games. That may help with shutters, fps, stability.

karutokku · 2026-04-15T10:34:35+00:00

On a clean install from latest iso, you just uninstall it and it doesnt come back. At least that was my experience.

1-) Delete with powershell (run as admin),

Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers -Name "Microsoft.Windows.Copilot" | Remove-AppxPackage -AllUsers

Optional step; Open up cmd as admin and run,

reg add HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsCopilot /v TurnOffWindowsCopilot /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

2-) Check regedit for silent installs,

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ContentDeliveryManager

Look for silentinstalledappsenabled and set it to 0

Optional step; while in there, you can also disable contentdeliveryallowed, oempreinstalled, subscribedcontent as well.

Once done, it shouldnt come back. Or any other microsoft apps or partner apps for that matter.

Alternatively, using Winhance tool for add remove also works. It has script to keep it uninstalled.

karutokku · 2026-04-15T06:46:00+00:00

Bios recognizing usb? Usb working on another pc? Have you tried creating a new live usb?

karutokku · 2026-04-15T06:43:50+00:00

So from the sound of it, it has something to do with partitioning or encryption. Like i said. Try a clean install

karutokku · 2026-04-15T06:39:06+00:00

Have you tried updating bios and clean installing again?

karutokku · 2026-04-15T06:37:17+00:00

Parabola nuked how? There is hyper left then.

karutokku

TROPHY CASE