Installing linux on Fujitsu - Siemens Amilo L7300

sinergy

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Hi,
I put my hands on a rather old Fujitsu - Siemens Amilo L7300 laptop, and I am wondering what linux distro would suit better this computer.
I guess this is still a 32Bit computer since it can use Windows XP OS.
The intended use for this laptop is just as an internet interface (navigator only pretty much), no heavy duty work to do for it, as well as easyness of use for non technical users.
Right now there seem to be no OS system installed, since the first thing that the screen shows upon turning on is: "Operating System not found" message with a blinking cursos below
 


Yeah, that's a 32 bit system with 256 MB of RAM - and not even speedy RAM. You're going to need to look for 'lightweight' distros (of which there are a number) and live within those constraints. It's gonna be slow, and even tasks like browsing the web will be painfully slow, assuming you can find a browser that supports the modern web with so few resources.

Can it be done? Oh, quite likely. Even when new, the battery was only good for 2.5 hours of use. By now, that battery is spent. So, it's not really a mobile device in any sense of the word.
 
Amilo L7300 laptop
I am guessing it's around 2006 vintage, with minimal ram and a slow processor, it's not worth upgrading the ram, it is unlikely to be USB bootable, so it will have to be a CD install [or DVD if it has a DVD drive] the only distribution I can think of that will probably run on it is 32bit puppy
 
Original Specifications: Per - http://www.bixnet.com/amilol7300.html
Manual is here - https://www.manualslib.com/manual/646360/Fujitsu-Siemens-Computers-Amilo-L7300.html#manual
  • CPU: Intel Celeron 1.06GHz - 1.2GHz
  • Memory Type: PC100 100MHz SDRAM
  • Standard Memory: 128MB, 256MB (removable)
  • Max Memory: 1GB
  • Memory Expansion Slots: 2 Sockets
  • Memory Size: 144 Pin
  • PC Card Slots: Two Type II or One Type III PC Cards with 16/32-Bit CardBus and ZV Support
  • USB Ports: Two USB 1.1 Compliant Ports
  • Firewire Ports: None
  • Card Reader: None
  • Original Hard Drive(s): 10.0GB, 15.0GB, 20.0GB, 30.0GB, 40.0GB 4200RPM
  • Original Optical Drives: CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, CD-RW
Puppy Linux, EasyOS, and maybe Antix are probably your best bets
 
I am guessing it's around 2006 vintage, with minimal ram and a slow processor, it's not worth upgrading the ram, it is unlikely to be USB bootable, so it will have to be a CD install [or DVD if it has a DVD drive] the only distribution I can think of that will probably run on it is 32bit puppy
Thanks!. What can I do to try to boot it from usb drive?
 
To find out if it's USB bootable
switch on enter bios control, go to boot, open and see what it says,
I expect it to be first optical drive, second HDD
if it is USB bootable then normally it will be first USB second optical third HDD

puppy will fit on a CD
 
1: USB Floppy Drive
I havent seen a floppy drive in years
It might work using option 4
if your using windows to make the bootable pendrive then etcher is to my mind the best
always format the pendrive to fats before you start your burn
 
I havent seen a floppy drive in years
It might work using option 4
if your using windows to make the bootable pendrive then etcher is to my mind the best
always format the pendrive to fats before you start your burn
Ok apparently it worked!!!! (used etcher! thanks) It is now decompressing Linux!!! ...Booting the kernel... yes it has installed in the usb drive!
 
The next step would be to install Puppy in the hard drive. However when I follow the instructions in the puppy's webpage
the 3 types of installations (Frugal, etc.) don't appear as options and I can't also see the hard drive. GParted only shows the USB disk drive space .... weird (or not so much?)
 
GParted has a drop down in the upper right to pick/view different drives.

I mention this just to make sure you checked there.

If it doesn't recognize it, things are afoot and we're entering 'problem territory'.
 
OK, so it runs in live mode from the USB, can you get it working on the network [wired or Wi-Fi], if all else seems to be working then I would think the HDD is probably a dud, or if standing for many tears may have developed a dry joint, first thing to try is take out and reinstall the hard drive, if that doesn't work its look for a compatible second hand one [they won't be easy to find]
 
GParted has a drop down in the upper right to pick/view different drives.

I mention this just to make sure you checked there.

If it doesn't recognize it, things are afoot and we're entering 'problem territory'.
Hi, in this version of Gparted there is a menu entry called "GPArted" which is on the top left-hand side (maybe an older release?) and it only shows the usb drive
 
If GP is not seeing your HDD, then the problem is with the HDD [see my post above]
not knowing where in the world you are, if you have e-bay or similar, look for a replacement, search for " Fujitsu IDE 2.5" hard disk drive" try and get either a 30 or 40 gb version

 
It could also be as simple as the HDD needs to be re-seated. But, if powered up and the laptop drops suddenly, the platters on those old HDD would crash into each other - rendering the drive useless. They're a little less likely to break if they're not powered up and spinning at the time.
 
It could also be as simple as the HDD needs to be re-seated.
that's a dry joint caused by oxidisation on the pins [same thing that can cause ram problems in older computers] if it is then just pulling it out and putting it back a couple of times usually clears it
 

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