I've been using Linux Mint Cinnamon across four computers after the Windows 11 update didn't go well for me. While three out of four computers run perfectly, one old model, an XPS 8300 with a GTX 650, keeps freezing during regular use and sometimes boots into a basic XFCE desktop, which seems like a safe mode. I've reinstalled multiple times, but the problems persist, which never happened with Windows 10 or the other Mint installations. I'm really thinking about switching distros to solve this freezing issue before I resort back to Windows. Could changing distros really help?
4 Answers
You might want to try using older Nvidia drivers. Sometimes the newer ones can cause compatibility issues with older hardware like yours. It's worth a shot!
Have you checked the system logs for any clues? They might offer some insights into what's causing the freezes. It could help you troubleshoot better.
Consider trying AntiX; it's designed for older hardware and might just do the trick. Worth a try if you're looking to keep it on Linux instead of going back to Windows!
Some Linux distros are really better suited for older hardware. MX Linux is one that's particularly good for machines that are around 10-15 years old. It has an 'Nvidia Driver Installer' that can let you use the drivers your GTX 650 needs. Plus, it runs XFCE by default, which is lighter on resources. You can also stick with older kernels that are more compatible with your setup, avoiding many of the newer incompatibilities.
I tried older drivers before, but I ended up with weird color issues like a green and red film over everything. Seems like a driver conflict is definitely part of the trouble.