MX 15 KDE for i386

[Frank_v7]

I think I know the answer, but can Stevo's MX 15 KDE for x64 be installed on an old IBM T60 Thinkpad i386. I suspect not or at least with poor results. Is installing KDE on MX 15 Core i386 a viable option ie: not a nightmare? I love my MX 15 KDE x64 on my x64 box!

[Stevo]

It depends on the processor, and also how much RAM is available. KDE would be cramped in only 1 GB. The MX manual shows several methods to determine the type of CPU.

[asqwerth]

I think I know the answer, but can Stevo's MX 15 KDE for x64 be installed on an old IBM T60 Thinkpad i386. I suspect not or at least with poor results. Is installing KDE on MX 15 Core i386 a viable option ie: not a nightmare? I love my MX 15 KDE x64 on my x64 box!

Isn't i386=32-bit?

And if Stevo's KDE respin is for x64......

[chrispop99]

The T60 could have either a 34- or 64-bit CPU. It sounds as if you already know your T60 is 32-bit, but if you are unsure, here's how to find out:

https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/ThinkPad-T ... d-p/207057

If it is 32-bit, Stevo's KDE respin won't install.

Two versions of the KDE window manager are available from the Package Installer. There would obviously be some post-install configuration work to get to where you might want to be.

It would be much better to start with an MX-16 install; if you want to hang on for a bit, I will test on a 32-bit machine later today.

Chris

[Jerry3904]

If you go with the option needing post-install configuration, be sure to consult the Wiki (search KDE).

[chrispop99]

Using the DELL D610 in my sig, I did a fresh 32-bit install, fully updated it, then used Package Installer to install KDE Full. The install completed, I logged out, changed the session to KDE, and logged back in.

To that extent it worked. However, I had no wireless connectivity, no network tray icon, and a brief check of the menu didn't reveal any obvious way of making a connection.

There will also be a number of small irritations to address; for example you end up with both the MX USB Unmounter, and the native KDE one.

Performance was noticeably slower than with Xfce, but not unusably slow for the limited things I tried.

If you do decide to go ahead and do this, be prepared to spend a significant amount of time tweaking things. It won't be an 'out of the box' experience.

Chris

[Frank_v7]

Thanks for the replies! Looks like it will be easier for now to keep Mepis 11 on the T60 for now.

[chrispop99]

Thanks for the replies! Looks like it will be easier for now to keep Mepis 11 on the T60 for now.

You could always try running MX-16 live to see if you might be OK with the Xfce desktop.

Many of the folk here are ex-Mepis users who now find Xfce a good mix of confiuration and performance.

Chris

[richb]

You can also just install kwin on top of XFCE, not full KDE. I have done this and it works well.

https://hobo.house/2015/08/14/using-kwin-with-xfce/

[zeeone]

MX15 i386 with Xfce, Mate and KDE-4 desktops, loaded on 16 gb sd card, booted up USB on a 386 MacBook Pro(early 2008).
Mate and KDE-4 desktops are not setup OOTB but, once done, they work great for me.