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[KD7RDZI2]

I wish to be able to use an up to date Linux distro on 20 years old desktop. I previously used kubuntu 12 running well. But then versions above 18 are 64 bits were not usable on such old PCs. Also I noticed increasing graphic issues with old PC when trying to install Ubuntu versions above 14. Is there a possibility to install up to date 32  bits distros which can be updated for very old PCs?

[K7LZR]

I wish to be able to use an up to date Linux distro on 20 years old desktop. I previously used kubuntu 12 running well. But then versions above 18 are 64 bits were not usable on such old PCs. Also I noticed increasing graphic issues with old PC when trying to install Ubuntu versions above 14. Is there a possibility to install up to date 32  bits distros which can be updated for very old PCs?

I've never tried such. I've run 32-bit distros on 8-10 year old desktops with good results but none older than that. You can always just try and see what happens

[W7XTV]

I wish to be able to use an up to date Linux distro on 20 years old desktop. I previously used kubuntu 12 running well. But then versions above 18 are 64 bits were not usable on such old PCs. Also I noticed increasing graphic issues with old PC when trying to install Ubuntu versions above 14. Is there a possibility to install up to date 32  bits distros which can be updated for very old PCs?

Debian and Slackware are the two majors that still support 32-bit machines.  Debian will still work on a 386 (at least in theory), while Slackware is optimized for the 486 and later.  I have Slackware 14.2 on a 2009-vintage Acer small laptop, and it works well, but I haven't tried 15.0 on it.

Since you're talking about a 20 year old box, I would try Debian first.

[K4QE]

May I also suggest a very minimalist distro called Tiny Core Linux:

http://www.tinycorelinux.net/downloads.html

[WA3SKN]

There's always "Puppy Linux". I have been a fan of Linux Mint, though.

-Mike.

[N7EKU]

Hi,

You can still download and use some older versions of Linux Mint in 32bit versions.  I think they are still supported until the end of next year.

I guess the main issue is what you want to use it for?  I think web browsers are dropping 32bit support and overall such an old machine will not work well on the web unless you are using a non-java enabled mode.  For other uses (email client or server, logging, word processing, music playing or streaming, etc) it should still be OK.

73.

[W7XTV]

You can still download and use some older versions of Linux Mint in 32bit versions.  I think they are still supported until the end of next year.

Mint 19 is supported thru April 2023, per Distrowatch.  After that, 32-bit Mint is dead.  Ubuntu stopped offering a 32-bit version when 16.04 LTS was EOL'ed in April 2021.

I guess the main issue is what you want to use it for?  I think web browsers are dropping 32bit support and overall such an old machine will not work well on the web unless you are using a non-java enabled mode.  For other uses (email client or server, logging, word processing, music playing or streaming, etc) it should still be OK.

Depends on how much RAM you have.  My Acer only has 1 Gb, and Firefox won't even load.  I've never bothered to look for a lightweight replacement because that box is only used as a music player and for file storage.  It's not good for much else.

[GRUMPY2021]

Linux Mint 19.2 says it will run on 32 bit.   https://linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=267

[N8NK]

If you do try Mint Linux v19.x 32-bit, don't even think of downloading the Cinnamon or Mate desktop environment versions. Go with Xfce, a desktop UI meant to be slimmer and faster.
Chuck (Blowzo the Humble Ham)

[GRUMPY2021]

Yes!  A fantastic point.  Xfce.   Now...back to our wobbly pops.    Happy 4th!

[W7XTV]

If you do try Mint Linux v19.x 32-bit, don't even think of downloading the Cinnamon or Mate desktop environment versions. Go with Xfce, a desktop UI meant to be slimmer and faster.
Chuck (Blowzo the Humble Ham)

I use XFCE on all my PCs, and it works great.  Cinnamon, Mate, and especially KDE are huge and bloated, although they look nice. 

But if one is using an ancient machine that's old enough to drink, a lighter window manager than XFCE may be necessary.  Fluxbox is the usual recommendation, although some manual configuration will be necessary.

[WW5F]

https://itsfoss.com/32-bit-linux-distributions/

[KD7RDZI2]

Thank you all for the comments. A lots of very much helpful ideas. Nice that some 32bit distros are still maintained with light desktop UI. But before installing them I need to replace some obese electrolytic capacitors on the motherboard 

[KX4OM]

This 32-bit Linux distro is very up to date, July 1st, 2022. It is Debian with Raspberry Pi Desktop, by raspberrypi.com, an official version.

https://www.raspberrypi.com/software/raspberry-pi-desktop/

Quotes from the website:

"Debian with Raspberry Pi Desktop is our operating system for PC and Mac. It provides the Raspberry Pi OS desktop, as well as most of the recommended software that comes with Raspberry Pi OS, for any PC or Apple Mac computer."

"If you have an old computer that is no longer powerful enough to run a modern commercial operating system, try Debian with Raspberry Pi Desktop: it can often make the computer usable once more."

It is based on Debian 11, "Bullseye" and it includes Mathematica for free like all of the other Raspberry Pi versions. I installed it in a virtual machine with VirtualBox on my Windows 10 laptop.

Ted, KX4OM

[W7XTV]

This 32-bit Linux distro is very up to date, July 1st, 2022. It is Debian with Raspberry Pi Desktop, by raspberrypi.com, an official version.

https://www.raspberrypi.com/software/raspberry-pi-desktop/

I didn't know that Raspberry Pi was offering a version of their OS that works on PCs and Macs.  Definitely worth looking into.