Installing Linux on Hundreds of "Obsolete" Computers
Hey all, I thought it was really cool to see a coordinated effort to extend the lifespan of perfectly usable computers that're only "Obsolete" because of Windows 10 becoming EOL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHLTOdsqDRg I wonder if WLUG could do something similar to make computing more equitable within the community? - Josh
Joshua Stone via WLUG <wlug@lists.wlug.org> writes:
I thought it was really cool to see a coordinated effort to extend the lifespan of perfectly usable computers that're only "Obsolete" because of Windows 10 becoming EOL:
Yes! I need an obsolete computer. The only thing I know about Windows-10 is that it proved Microsoft can't count. Versions 1, 2, 3.1, 95, 98, were at least monotonic increasing. I don't install Linux on hundreds of computers; I've done about 30 installs over the years. It used to be: buy a Linux CD from the bookstore (Not a joke. I did that several times in the 1990s). Every computer had a built-in CD reader that it could boot from and everything was on the CD. The last few times I have done a Debian net-install. It worked through a RJ-45 jack connection to home internet. Details changed. I no longer have a IPv4 address and NAT, but IPv6 configured itself and worked. But now RJ-45 seems to be obsolete. Can I install over a wireless (wifi) connection? Not long ago, the OS needed to be working and then it could install a special non-free driver for the wifi and use it at the coffee shop. Now that I have my own wireless router it seems mostly good, but I still trust the wire more. I don't need terabytes and virtual reality video games. Let me run gcc, TeX, a web browser and a pdf viewer, that's about it. I miss the punch card reader at school, but I don't need one at home. Do I need RJ-45? -- Keith
Yes! I need an obsolete computer. The only thing I know about Windows-10 is that it proved Microsoft can't count. Versions 1, 2, 3.1, 95, 98, were at least monotonic increasing.
If you need a new computer for running gcc, TeX, a web browser, a PDF viewer, and all other of your computing needs, then we can surely help!
I don't install Linux on hundreds of computers; I've done about 30 installs over the years. It used to be: buy a Linux CD from the bookstore (Not a joke. I did that several times in the 1990s). Every computer had a built-in CD reader that it could boot from and everything was on the CD.
Oh, that takes me back! When I was first getting into Linux circa 2009, I would be trying out Linux install CDs that were included in several Linux publications within the magazine section at Barnes and Noble. I was fascinated by how I could run a complete desktop from a cheap piece of optical media found in the back of a magazine, and it was at a fraction of the cost of a Windows license.
The last few times I have done a Debian net-install. It worked through a RJ-45 jack connection to home internet. Details changed. I no longer have a IPv4 address and NAT, but IPv6 configured itself and worked.
But now RJ-45 seems to be obsolete. Can I install over a wireless (wifi) connection? Not long ago, the OS needed to be working and then it could install a special non-free driver for the wifi and use it at the coffee shop.
Now that I have my own wireless router it seems mostly good, but I still trust the wire more. I don't need terabytes and virtual reality video games. Let me run gcc, TeX, a web browser and a pdf viewer, that's about it.
I miss the punch card reader at school, but I don't need one at home. Do I need RJ-45?
You can expect a mainstream distribution such as Fedora or Debian to have offline installers in case their online installers don't work. These online installers should give you the option to configure a wired connection or a wireless connection. I believe the one limiting factor (as you're alluding to) is whether the wifi card has the appropriate driver. This can become a catch-22 for online installers which typically don't give you the kind of environment needed to build and install the necessary kernel module and firmware. The best workaround I've found is finding a chipset that's known to work OOTB with a stock Linux kernel: https://github.com/morrownr/USB-WiFi The ALFA AWUS036ACM is the USB wifi adapter that I have, and it's saved me *A LOT* of headache when experimenting with uncommon devices that usually come with Broadcom wifi cards: https://www.alfa.com.tw/products/awus036acm_1 https://www.amazon.com/Network-AWUS036ACM-Long-Range-Wide-Coverage-High-Sens... - Josh On Wed, Oct 8, 2025 at 12:15 AM Keith Wright <kwright@keithdiane.us> wrote:
Joshua Stone via WLUG <wlug@lists.wlug.org> writes:
I thought it was really cool to see a coordinated effort to extend the lifespan of perfectly usable computers that're only "Obsolete" because of Windows 10 becoming EOL:
Yes! I need an obsolete computer. The only thing I know about Windows-10 is that it proved Microsoft can't count. Versions 1, 2, 3.1, 95, 98, were at least monotonic increasing.
I don't install Linux on hundreds of computers; I've done about 30 installs over the years. It used to be: buy a Linux CD from the bookstore (Not a joke. I did that several times in the 1990s). Every computer had a built-in CD reader that it could boot from and everything was on the CD.
The last few times I have done a Debian net-install. It worked through a RJ-45 jack connection to home internet. Details changed. I no longer have a IPv4 address and NAT, but IPv6 configured itself and worked.
But now RJ-45 seems to be obsolete. Can I install over a wireless (wifi) connection? Not long ago, the OS needed to be working and then it could install a special non-free driver for the wifi and use it at the coffee shop.
Now that I have my own wireless router it seems mostly good, but I still trust the wire more. I don't need terabytes and virtual reality video games. Let me run gcc, TeX, a web browser and a pdf viewer, that's about it.
I miss the punch card reader at school, but I don't need one at home. Do I need RJ-45?
-- Keith
participants (2)
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Joshua Stone -
Keith Wright