A Few Questions - New Install, which Flavor/Architecture?

ohnonot · 2012-11-01 08:10:23

Hello everybody!

Firstly, crunchbang! is my best choice now, for sure.
Thanks for the great work - also this extremely vivid forum.

I am about to remake an old laptop (~2008, it's an mci vr601) and have a few questions:

1- it has an intel celeron 64bit processor, 2x 1.73GHz, 2GB RAM, some onboard intel graphic card
and 1280x800 resolution.
- i heard some talk that installing a 64bit OS is not always the best choice, how about here?

2- which flavor should i choose: statler stable, +backports, or waldorf testing?
- explanation: i like debian stable, but some software is a bit old and i miss features. also i'm
thinking of the future here - with stable, will i get problems updating/grading next year?
i'm hoping to stay with whatever setup i choose for a while.

3- and last, though it's a bit off-topic - does anybody know where i can get information on DIY
replacing of used hardware, are there forums discussing this? (the situation is that the lcd screen
of this one has dead pixels, but i have another otherwise shitty laptop with a same size screen
and would like to know if they are changeable)

hope these questions are ok to ask here.
i know most of it has already been discussed but i can't find the relevant info in the flood of it...
so, thanks in advance!
d.

machinebacon · 2012-11-01 08:27:01

Hi,

1) you have "only" 2GB RAM so I guess a 32-bit install is totally okay. It would use less RAM than a 64bit installation. If you plan to upgrade the RAM sticks in the future, better go for 64bit. Some applications run better (or only?) in 32bit, Skype for example is easier to get to run on a 32bit system. If in doubt, download both and have a try. Doesn't cost money, just time smile

2) Waldorf is tomorrows Statler, and Wheezy is going to be the stable release soon. I guess you don't want to reinstall (no idea if the upgrade path from Statler to Waldorf is smooth, because there are some changes) - so you get a +1 for Waldorf from me.

3) I would open a thread in the Off-Topic section, we have some hardware cracks here - give it a clear subject like "Replacing laptop LCD screen" or something wink Sounds like a cool project BTW big_smile

joek · 2012-11-01 10:33:36

1. I think the 'standard advice' on linux is to use 64-bit on any capable processor when you have 2Gb RAM or more. Unless there is a specific application that doesn't run on 64 bit yet, I'd go for 64-bit. (And skype was perfectly easy to set up for me on my 64-bit Wheezy box)

2. I'd go for Wheezy, personally. It's frozen, so essentially is perfectly stable, and it'll save you from having to update for another 2-3 years...

3. Concievably, yes. I second MB's suggestion to start a new thread for this. It'd probably be a good idea to give hardware info for it.

ohnonot · 2012-11-01 15:33:54

thanks a bunch!

1- i guess i just install both 64 and 32 bit, maybe with a single /home for both on a separate partition, and see
how it goes. the actual OS doesn't take up much space.

2- just to make sure, joek, wheezy means waldorf, as far as #! is concerned?

3- looks promising! started a thread on this.

d.

machinebacon · 2012-11-01 15:46:16

2) Yes - incidentally the starting letters fit:
Statler = Squeeze
Waldorf = Wheezy

ohnonot · 2012-11-01 17:51:11

thnx.
btw, did the layout of the webpage change today? it surely looks better now. readable.
wink

machinebacon · 2012-11-01 18:02:47

Yes, a fresh breeze... the domain got redirected, too wink

ohnonot · 2012-11-02 06:31:59

everything is fine now, also the screen-changing worked.
i installed both 32 and 64 bit waldorf and made sure the same uuid partition gets mounted as /home in both.
so i guess it works, both installations are sharing the same home folder.
just came back to ask if somebody more enlightened than me would advise against sth like this? or point out difficulties?
happy to take advice. thanks.

CrunchBang Linux

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#1 2012-11-01 08:10:23

A Few Questions - New Install, which Flavor/Architecture?

#2 2012-11-01 08:27:01

Re: A Few Questions - New Install, which Flavor/Architecture?

#3 2012-11-01 10:33:36

Re: A Few Questions - New Install, which Flavor/Architecture?

#4 2012-11-01 15:33:54

Re: A Few Questions - New Install, which Flavor/Architecture?

#5 2012-11-01 15:46:16

Re: A Few Questions - New Install, which Flavor/Architecture?

#6 2012-11-01 17:51:11

Re: A Few Questions - New Install, which Flavor/Architecture?

#7 2012-11-01 18:02:47

Re: A Few Questions - New Install, which Flavor/Architecture?

#8 2012-11-02 06:31:59

Re: A Few Questions - New Install, which Flavor/Architecture?

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