Have a problem, just not with Linux Lite, NOT YET...

[elelme]

THANKS so very much. I had no idea Dell would have this page.
They had lots of Windows exes available. I would only have to reformat my machine,
install Windows 7 all over again, to fix the BIOS, possibly.
But I know it is an Inspiron now, and I have some specks. And some work, if I choose.
Again, thanks, TheDead!

[TheDead]

@elelme
The magic with DELL PCs is that you have a ServiceTag sticker somewhere on the computer (usually top or back of the computer case). Once you have your ServiceTag, go here and type it in, click Submit :
http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19?app=drivers&~ck=mn
(or support.dell.com, support menu, drivers)
It will open your computer's "page" and when you go into System Configuration then Components.
You will have all the parts sold with the PC on original purchase. Other interesting menus are the drivers (mostly windows) and warranty, but that should be expired now

I'm not in the Linux Lite team but since you like Linux Lite, if you can spare it, I suggest sending them a little something for their hard work here : https://www.linuxliteos.com/donate.html

- Cheers!

[Artim]

I overthink abuncha stuff too, but I try not to stress myself out over stuff that hasn't happened yet.  I'm a bit technophobic, and computer stuff still scares me.

[elelme]

I am afraid this will sound lame, but it is an Inspiron but I was never given paper work to give you the model
number, exactly. A 580?  But, since you are on the HAL 9000, maybe you can tell me...(Pitiful joke!)


LINUX LITE works on my machine perfectly. Easy, and does everything, and survives my mistakes! Amazing!
As long as there will be a Legacy version, I will be okay. (I have tried many distros and discovered I had many problems
that I did not know before. Examples: I have a second-rate sound card as this has no speakers and the sound comes via speakers connected thru the earphone plug, etc., etc., etc! )
LINUX LITE is a champ and does everything. Other distros fail to boot, won't mount my usb backup drive, or give me
grief over permissions. Even Solydx, mentioned by Rokytnji, went on the machine beautifully, but wouldn't mount
USB sticks of several brands, nor the USB backup drive. Debian, both Stretch and Jessie, were bulky and broke easily.

I just need Linux Lite to stay Legacy, but can see already requests at the forum for the UEFI upgrade. Again,
I am overthinking, perhaps! *SIGH*

[TheDead]

@elelme : Just curious, what is your DELL computer model? All old computers that I installed LinuxLite on worked, even some old DELL servers/workstations.

I'm sure LinuxLite will have a Legacy version as long as possible.
But its the technology industry so, maybe when we have 128bits computers with FAST-O-RAMA booting systems cubes that will change.

Cheers!

-TD

[elelme]

 rokytnji , thank you for that response. It is a relief to know it is not going to be impossible to continue on the machine. Overthinking? Well, whatdoyaknow, I have been changed by Linux Lite...
   

[rokytnji]

I think you are over thinking this. Yes there are other Linux distros that run on older gear OK. I can't speak for Linux-Lite because I am not Jerry.

Slackware, Debian, plus their spinoffs like Salix, MXLinux, SolydX, AntiX, are just a few that come to mind.

I never buy new computers. But then. I am lucky because City Hall gives me their gear when they upgrade.

Out of hundreds of Linux distros. I would not worry like you are doing. You can always request a refund for what ever free distro you download and try out.

I find pen drives are fun when I install a distro on it. Usually Live with persistence. Just  to see how it flys on my gear.
Take it slow and don't try to worry too much. Even Dell techs can be wrong. I see no need to flash your bios.
I run Award bios on 1/2 of my  gear that run Linux installs. Even exotic old gear like so. UEFI Linux adoption is never a worry for me

https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2356335,00.asp

[elelme]

On reflection, I am really wondering if this machine is obsolete, if this engineer at Dell is correct.
(He actually stated that a special customized BIOS would need to be made and flashed (?) for it to be UEFI-bootable.)

Sorry, I know it is MY problem, but I would appreciate any information or suggestions, other than, of course, just buy another
machine. It was a gift from the family, you see? Trying to help keep me from going senile, I suppose.  :-)
Right now, Linux Lite is working perfectly on this Dell, but if you guys ever go to UEFI, I may be at a complete loss as to
how to use the machine. --I guess I could just not update it, should that happen?

[elelme]

To my amazement I have discovered that my Dell Inspiron desktop was designed NOT to be bootable UEFI.
(It is five years old and just sat for half that time, so has plenty of life left in it.)


I found this while trying over and over to migrate from Legacy to UEFI, so ended up at the Dell site, to
see an engineer had stated that the boot could not be changed as it was built to be that way.


(Well it explored a lot that this old man could not easily follow, and it does explain many misadventures I
have had trying other distros that would install but not reboot. (BEFORE Linux Lite!)
 


   Will Linux Lite stay Legacy boot?  Is there any other distro left that will, and maybe not ubuntu-based?


  Thanks for any suggestions.