Hey everyone! I'm having a frustrating issue while trying to install various Linux distributions on my desktop. I've tried Debian, Linux Mint XFCE 22, LMDE 6, and even Puppy Linux, but they all seem to freeze after a short period. Specifically, Linux Mint XFCE 22 won't even install because it freezes after about 10 minutes. Debian lasts around 30 minutes in GNOME, while XFCE crashes after just 10 minutes. I wanted to switch because I'm tired of Windows being sluggish, but since I can play games and run applications fine on it, I'm sure it's not a hardware issue. Plus, Puppy Linux also freezes eventually. I haven't tried these distros in a VM yet but wanted to get some help first. Here are my specs:
- CPU: i5-2400 3.1GHz
- GPU: Nvidia GT 240
- 12GB RAM
- Motherboard: GoldenTec H61 M2 (it's quite a budget option).
5 Answers
It sounds like it could be a power saving feature messing things up. You might want to check what device you're booting from and whether it's USB or a CD. Sometimes hardware can act up when it overheats or if there’s a faulty component like a capacitor. Might be worth investigating those areas too!
I’m curious because I’ve faced something similar. Could it possibly be a memory issue? It might help to reseat the RAM sticks and see if that changes anything. Also, have you tested your hardware compatibility? Sharing your GPU and motherboard may help others offer better guidance.
I updated my question with those specs. Thanks for the tip!
You can also look into some migration tips on the community wiki. Make sure to verify your ISO checksums after downloading and only install from trusted repositories. Just some extra caution to help avoid issues down the road!
Have you updated your BIOS lately? Sometimes compatibility with newer distros can hinge on that. If you're enjoying Debian, you might want to give MX Linux XFCE a go as it's based on Debian too and might work better for you!
Have you checked if you’re using an HDD or SSD? If it's the HDD, it might be having problems. I’d suggest running tools like memtest86+ and gsmartcontrol to ensure everything is healthy. Also, when booting a Linux distro, try using the *nomodeset* option to see if that changes anything. Checking for dust buildup and making sure the thermal paste is applied correctly can help manage overheating issues too.
It's an HDD, and I did run memtest86+ with no issues. I've checked for dust as well, and everything looks fine.
I'm booting from USB, so that might be a clue. Thanks!