Any reason this wouldn't work?

MuGeN · 19 Sep 2013 at 16:50

How do,

We need a very basic computer in the office for the accounts lass... literally all it needs to be capable of is running a web browser and printing, so I figure a free linux install is the way to go.

So, found an old computer, heres the spec:

• Gigabyte P31-DS3L
• 2.4GHz Core 2
• 4GB Ram
• WD Caviar Green 2TB
• GeForce 8800 GTS

Any reason this wouldn't be able to run linux smoothly? Cuz I can't for the life of me get into a working installation.

Install goes fine (tried the latest ubuntu, the LTS, and also a kubuntu install) but then when you boot in for the first time it dies, mouse stops working, never been able to click anything to troubleshoot.

Have I just gotta find an old XP disc somewhere?

(Got a niggling feeling its the graphics card, bought a cheapo Sapphire HD 5450 1GB card which will arrive tomorrow as a last resort)

Any advice?

Hades · 19 Sep 2013 at 17:03

Should work absoluty fine.

bledd · 19 Sep 2013 at 17:15

Try Linux Mint

Does the mouse work ok on other machines? Is it a 'special' mouse that has odd drivers?

MuGeN · 19 Sep 2013 at 19:39

I'll have one more go with Mint then...

The mouse is just an oldish Microsoft mouse... Intellipoint something or another?

Cyberboy109 · 19 Sep 2013 at 20:55

Puppy Linux, lubunto, peppermint Os... There's a few others... I'll have a wee peek and see what else to suggest

Huw · 19 Sep 2013 at 23:34

The whole thing locks up? I have this problem and it's definitely related to the graphics card. Whenever I install a new distro, I have to get the proprietary nVidia driver installed ASAP, otherwise the PC locks up. As soon as I have the driver installed, it's fine. Weird but true. Try using the onboard graphics until you're able to get Catalyst drivers installed.

That system is overkill, if anything, for what you want it for, by the way.

teppic · 23 Sep 2013 at 03:57

It could well be linked to dodgy GPU drivers. The open source nvidia ones are generally ok, but the official ones are usually very solid.

If Ubuntu 13.04 doesn't work, the chances are the latest Mint won't either. You could give Manjaro a go, as this comes with the proprietary nvidia drivers pre-installed. It's not the most polished distribution but would at the very least narrow down the problem.

MuGeN · 30 Sep 2013 at 21:29

It was the graphics card guys, installing the HD 5450 sorted it straight away

Not sure how I'd have installed new drivers since the system locked before you could do anything but glad its sorted.

Cheers folks