Q40S distro installation disk needed

linnet697 · 2021-08-02 11:04

I have been searching for a very light Linux distro which I am hoping will inject new life into my old HP Compaq NX9005 laptop. It has Windows XP professional in it at the moment. I was going to scrap it and I did a fresh install of XP to wipe off all my personal files from years ago. But it is virtually as new apart from the dead battery and it seems such a waste.
It has a 40GB hard drive. But the RAM is only 200MB. 1.79GHz.
It seems to me that Q40S would fit the bill.
If it is a success I was thinking I would install it in my two aging Dell desktop tower computers in the hope they would speed up a bit too.
Downloading the program and burning a disk is rather beyond my ability.
Unfortunately I can't find anyone selling a prepared disk for Q40S so that all I've got to do is install it. Does anyone know of a source?

q4osteam · 2021-08-02 15:37

Please read https://www.q4os.org/dqa007.html#inst . There is an excellent external website https://dai-trying.com/tutorials/linux/ … ion-guide/ available, that describes Q4OS installation from the live media in detail. See how to create live cd media https://dai-trying.com/tutorials/how-to … g-windows/ or live usb media https://dai-trying.com/tutorials/how-to … g-windows/ , preparing to install and finally Q4OS installation https://dai-trying.com/tutorials/instal … e-desktop/

You can also buy prepared disks https://www.q4os.org/shop/ , just specify the media type, for ex. 32bit/64bit, as an order notice.

linnet697 · 2021-08-02 16:37

q4osteam wrote:

Please read https://www.q4os.org/dqa007.html#inst . There is an excellent external website https://dai-trying.com/tutorials/linux/ … ion-guide/ available, that describes Q4OS installation from the live media in detail. See how to create live cd media https://dai-trying.com/tutorials/how-to … g-windows/ or live usb media https://dai-trying.com/tutorials/how-to … g-windows/ , preparing to install and finally Q4OS installation https://dai-trying.com/tutorials/instal … e-desktop/
You can also buy prepared disks https://www.q4os.org/shop/ , just specify the media type, for ex. 32bit/64bit, as an order notice.

Many thanks for your comprehensive reply to my query. I forgot to say that my HP Compaq is the 32 bit variety. I will read through the tutorials but as I intimated, I am not confident in my ability to carry out such procedures. I was hoping there might be a UK source for an installation disk.

Ded-Ed · 2021-08-08 19:47

Bit late to the party here, does your laptop boot from a usb key? If it does, it is quite easy to make a bootable usb key or even a bootable cd/dvd.
Really if you read the tutorials mentioned there is nothing to be frightened of. If I can do it anyone can (67 year old duffer).
The more people that we get away from that huge company the better!

linnet697 · 2021-08-21 10:14

Ded-Ed wrote:

Bit late to the party here, does your laptop boot from a usb key? If it does, it is quite easy to make a bootable usb key or even a bootable cd/dvd.
Really if you read the tutorials mentioned there is nothing to be frightened of. If I can do it anyone can (67 year old duffer).
The more people that we get away from that huge company the better!

Thanks for the encouragement. From what I can find out it doesn't boot from usb, but I might be wrong. I did bite the bullet and made a start up disk, but I think I got the wrong version which was too big. I had a right performance getting it off again but I've managed to do another fresh XP install. Just need to summons the willpower to try again. But I'm thinking it's just not worth the hassle and might treat myself to a new Windows laptop.
I use an Asus Chromebook most of the time which is a dream to use. But it can't do quite everything I need.

Rademes · 2021-08-21 17:24

In my opinion, I think you should scrap it. The reasons are:
1. Very low RAM. You need at least 1GB for comfortable use. Even with Q4OS Trinity edition. Otherwise, you will have problems and sluggishness even when browsing internet. I do not think, that you need "another calculator" instead of Personal Computer.
2. 32 bit CPU. Even if there is a 32bit Q4OS version, many developers now stop supporting 32bit software, and I agree with them. It is a waste of time, because most CPUs from 2007 and newer are 64bit capable.
3. Dead battery, which will make your notebook immobile. Mobility is the main reason, why people buy notebooks.
4. Ultra ATA/100 interface will make impossible to change your 40GB HDD to SSD.
So, do not waste your time on it, and buy new notebook instead. Q4OS TDE will work nice even on cheapest modern notebooks.

Last edited by Rademes (2021-08-21 17:36)

DavidB · 2021-08-22 16:51

Just as a project PC I wouldn't give up on your old laptop just yet. Choose the right software to run on it and you still might get some use out of it. Here's a link to a short video of my stock EeePC 701 with Q4OS 8.1 (Orion) installed, playing a movie via the GMerlin media player. http://www.thegrove.in.nf/sites/netbook … -demo.html

Although the specifications of the EeePC 701 are not exactly the same as the NX9005, it's still within the ballpark, I think. I still use the EeePC from time to time. With SeaMonkey as my web browser, it's still usable for surfing the web, as long as I'm not visiting media-rich websites. If anything, it's a good backup to have in case of an emergency or as a mobile media player to take out into the garden with me.

Just my perspective on things.

linnet697 · 2021-08-23 09:51

Rademes wrote:

In my opinion, I think you should scrap it. The reasons are:
1. Very low RAM. You need at least 1GB for comfortable use. Even with Q4OS Trinity edition. Otherwise, you will have problems and sluggishness even when browsing internet. I do not think, that you need "another calculator" instead of Personal Computer.
2. 32 bit CPU. Even if there is a 32bit Q4OS version, many developers now stop supporting 32bit software, and I agree with them. It is a waste of time, because most CPUs from 2007 and newer are 64bit capable.
3. Dead battery, which will make your notebook immobile. Mobility is the main reason, why people buy notebooks.
4. Ultra ATA/100 interface will make impossible to change your 40GB HDD to SSD.
So, do not waste your time on it, and buy new notebook instead. Q4OS TDE will work nice even on cheapest modern notebooks.

I think you are spot on with your assessment. I am the type who finds it hard to let go but the inadequacies of the machine and my own limited knowledge and ability mean I should give up on it.
Thank you for your advice.

linnet697 · 2021-08-23 09:57

DavidB wrote:

Just as a project PC I wouldn't give up on your old laptop just yet. Choose the right software to run on it and you still might get some use out of it. Here's a link to a short video of my stock EeePC 701 with Q4OS 8.1 (Orion) installed, playing a movie via the GMerlin media player. http://www.thegrove.in.nf/sites/netbook … -demo.html
Although the specifications of the EeePC 701 are not exactly the same as the NX9005, it's still within the ballpark, I think. I still use the EeePC from time to time. With SeaMonkey as my web browser, it's still usable for surfing the web, as long as I'm not visiting media-rich websites. If anything, it's a good backup to have in case of an emergency or as a mobile media player to take out into the garden with me.
Just my perspective on things.

Thank you for your help. I am pretty sure that I've come to the end with it but reading your contribution I might put it to one side yet again for a winter's night project.

DavidB · 2021-08-23 16:18

linnet697 wrote:

Thank you for your help. I am pretty sure that I've come to the end with it but reading your contribution I might put it to one side yet again for a winter's night project.

Well, if you need help with obtaining an older version of Q4OS on a bootable DVD (like Orion), let me know. I could always burn you a copy and get in the mail to you sometime, so you have it available if you ever decide to work on it. If so, you can reach me via my website.

Last edited by DavidB (2021-08-23 16:21)

Q4OS Forum

#1 2021-08-02 11:04

Q40S distro installation disk needed

#2 2021-08-02 15:37

Re: Q40S distro installation disk needed

#3 2021-08-02 16:37

Re: Q40S distro installation disk needed

#4 2021-08-08 19:47

Re: Q40S distro installation disk needed

#5 2021-08-21 10:14

Re: Q40S distro installation disk needed

#6 2021-08-21 17:24

Re: Q40S distro installation disk needed

#7 2021-08-22 16:51

Re: Q40S distro installation disk needed

#8 2021-08-23 09:51

Re: Q40S distro installation disk needed

#9 2021-08-23 09:57

Re: Q40S distro installation disk needed

#10 2021-08-23 16:18

Re: Q40S distro installation disk needed

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