[SOLVED] Linux Mint on an old Apple iMac
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[SOLVED] Linux Mint on an old Apple iMac
Hello - this my first post in these forums!
I'm just an amateur computer user who last week was presented with a small Dell computer by my daughter - "dad, can you fix this"? It was running Windows 10 but only has 32GB RAM. There was less than 3GB of disk space free - the new Update from Microsoft said it needed 8GB to install it. Long story short, the laptop now has Linux Mint 19 Cinnamon installed and it's running like a dream. That was my learning curve!
My principal computer is now a new 27in Apple iMac. My 'old' 24in 2008 (model) iMac died and because it is now 'vintage' neither Apple nor appointed Apple authorised agents would touch it. A local computer shop diagnosed that the hard drive had failed but wanted much money to repair it. I decided to do the job myself! I've installed a brand new 1TB drive obtained from Western Digital through Amazon UK. However, I'm having great difficulty installing another operating system so checked my RAM with MemTest. Crucial are going to replace the RAM free of charge under their lifetime guarantee and I'm currently awaiting delivery of same.
In the meantime, I've had a 'play' with trying to put Mint on the machine (using the RAM which came with the iMac back in 2009). This I have done and have been able to 'surf' on the Internet!
However, after a few minutes, the image freezes and shortly thereafter the screen goes grey. The same thing happened when I tried to 'install' the software - I never achieved that. In both scenarios, the machine felt somewhat hotter than under normal operations previously.
Is there any practical reason why Linux will not install satisfactorily on Apple hardware?
Does anyone have any other idea of what else may be the problem?
Any help and/or advice will be much appreciated.
David
I'm just an amateur computer user who last week was presented with a small Dell computer by my daughter - "dad, can you fix this"? It was running Windows 10 but only has 32GB RAM. There was less than 3GB of disk space free - the new Update from Microsoft said it needed 8GB to install it. Long story short, the laptop now has Linux Mint 19 Cinnamon installed and it's running like a dream. That was my learning curve!
My principal computer is now a new 27in Apple iMac. My 'old' 24in 2008 (model) iMac died and because it is now 'vintage' neither Apple nor appointed Apple authorised agents would touch it. A local computer shop diagnosed that the hard drive had failed but wanted much money to repair it. I decided to do the job myself! I've installed a brand new 1TB drive obtained from Western Digital through Amazon UK. However, I'm having great difficulty installing another operating system so checked my RAM with MemTest. Crucial are going to replace the RAM free of charge under their lifetime guarantee and I'm currently awaiting delivery of same.
In the meantime, I've had a 'play' with trying to put Mint on the machine (using the RAM which came with the iMac back in 2009). This I have done and have been able to 'surf' on the Internet!
However, after a few minutes, the image freezes and shortly thereafter the screen goes grey. The same thing happened when I tried to 'install' the software - I never achieved that. In both scenarios, the machine felt somewhat hotter than under normal operations previously.
Is there any practical reason why Linux will not install satisfactorily on Apple hardware?
Does anyone have any other idea of what else may be the problem?
Any help and/or advice will be much appreciated.
David
Last edited by LockBot on Wed Dec 28, 2022 7:16 am, edited 3 times in total.
Reason: Topic automatically closed 6 months after creation. New replies are no longer allowed.
Reason: Topic automatically closed 6 months after creation. New replies are no longer allowed.
Re: Installing Linux Mint an an old Apple iMac
CW started a link on light weight linux distributions for older machines which could be useful for you. I am sure one of the more knowledgeable volunteers will jump in and give you help soon.
Here is that link.. viewtopic.php?f=61&t=278526
Here is that link.. viewtopic.php?f=61&t=278526
"Tune for maximum Smoke and then read the Instructions".
Re: Installing Linux Mint an an old Apple iMac
you did well to get rid of win-10 on that small Dell computer ..
- there is a strong trend towards using the new style eMMC HardCard for the diskdrive,
and the newest eMMC drives are now around 128 - 256Gb in size.
but, the real issue is that these type of PCs are custom designed for the Windows System,
and as such, are often tricky to install any Linux System onto them.
thus that new 27in Apple iMac is in the same category, as well,
as these machines, too are a custom designed system.
in both cases, to get to diagnose, exactly what hardware is installed into your machine,
in order to get any Linux System working correctly:
can be typed into Terminal - in order to determine, just what hardware is involved.
- on a working Linux System - that is, even if that is just a Newly Booted Live Environment.
- there is a strong trend towards using the new style eMMC HardCard for the diskdrive,
and the newest eMMC drives are now around 128 - 256Gb in size.
but, the real issue is that these type of PCs are custom designed for the Windows System,
and as such, are often tricky to install any Linux System onto them.
thus that new 27in Apple iMac is in the same category, as well,
as these machines, too are a custom designed system.
in both cases, to get to diagnose, exactly what hardware is installed into your machine,
in order to get any Linux System working correctly:
inxi -Fxz
can be typed into Terminal - in order to determine, just what hardware is involved.
- on a working Linux System - that is, even if that is just a Newly Booted Live Environment.
Please edit your original post title to include [SOLVED] - when your problem is solved!
and DO LOOK at those Unanswered Topics - - you may be able to answer some!.
Re: Installing Linux Mint an an old Apple iMac
When you do as Pierre suggested paste it in the above </> to make it easier to read.
Code: Select all
Like this
"Tune for maximum Smoke and then read the Instructions".
Re: Installing Linux Mint an an old Apple iMac
Having a practice on my daughter's little Dell laptop!
lizzie@lizzie-Inspiron-11-3168:~$ inxi Fxz
CPU~Dual core Intel Celeron N3060 (-MCP-) speed/max~513/2480 MHz Kernel~4.15.0-20-generic x86_64 Up~1 day Mem~831.7/1891.9MB HDD~NA(-) Procs~208 Client~Shell inxi~2.3.56
It works!
Thanks.
lizzie@lizzie-Inspiron-11-3168:~$ inxi Fxz
CPU~Dual core Intel Celeron N3060 (-MCP-) speed/max~513/2480 MHz Kernel~4.15.0-20-generic x86_64 Up~1 day Mem~831.7/1891.9MB HDD~NA(-) Procs~208 Client~Shell inxi~2.3.56
It works!
Thanks.
Re: Installing Linux Mint an an old Apple iMac
No, that's
inxi Fxz
. You were asked for inxi -Fxz
. There is a difference, you'll see!If your issue is solved, kindly indicate that by editing the first post in the topic, and adding [SOLVED] to the title. Thanks!
Re: Installing Linux Mint an an old Apple iMac
Oops! Sorry about that!
Here's what you were after I believe:-
==
I'll do my best to carry out the same exercise on my old iMac before it locks up. If successful, I'll post the data here!
David
Here's what you were after I believe:-
Code: Select all
lizzie@lizzie-Inspiron-11-3168:~$ inxi -Fxz
System: Host: lizzie-Inspiron-11-3168 Kernel: 4.15.0-20-generic x86_64
bits: 64 gcc: 7.3.0
Desktop: Cinnamon 3.8.9 (Gtk 3.22.30-1ubuntu1)
Distro: Linux Mint 19 Tara
Machine: Device: portable System: Dell product: Inspiron 11-3168 v: 1.0.7 serial: N/A
Mobo: Dell model: 0RV7G6 v: A00 serial: N/A
UEFI: Dell v: 1.0.7 date: 08/18/2016
Battery BAT0: charge: 32.0 Wh 111.4% condition: 28.7/32.0 Wh (90%)
model: SMP-SDI4.2 DELL 8NWF35C status: Full
CPU: Dual core Intel Celeron N3060 (-MCP-)
arch: Airmont rev.4 cache: 1024 KB
flags: (lm nx sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx) bmips: 6400
clock speeds: max: 2480 MHz 1: 945 MHz 2: 496 MHz
Graphics: Card: Intel Atom/Celeron/Pentium Processor x5-E8000/J3xxx/N3xxx Integrated Graphics Controller
bus-ID: 00:02.0
Display Server: x11 (X.Org 1.19.6 )
drivers: modesetting (unloaded: fbdev,vesa)
Resolution: 1366x768@60.05hz
OpenGL: renderer: Mesa DRI Intel HD Graphics 400 (Braswell)
version: 4.5 Mesa 18.0.5 Direct Render: Yes
Audio: Card Intel Atom/Celeron/Pentium Processor x5-E8000/J3xxx/N3xxx Series High Def. Audio Controller
driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:1b.0
Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.15.0-20-generic
Network: Card-1: Qualcomm Atheros QCA9565 / AR9565 Wireless Network Adapter
driver: ath9k bus-ID: 01:00.0
IF: wlp1s0 state: up mac: <filter>
Card-2: Atheros usb-ID: 001-017
IF: null-if-id state: N/A speed: N/A duplex: N/A mac: N/A
Drives: HDD Total Size: NA (-)
ID-1: /dev/mmcblk0 model: N/A size: 31.3GB
Partition: ID-1: / size: 26G used: 17G (67%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/dm-1
ID-2: /boot size: 705M used: 152M (24%)
fs: ext4 dev: /dev/mmcblk0p2
ID-3: swap-1 size: 2.04GB used: 0.03GB (2%)
fs: swap dev: /dev/dm-3
RAID: No RAID devices: /proc/mdstat, md_mod kernel module present
Sensors: System Temperatures: cpu: 26.0C mobo: N/A
Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: N/A
Info: Processes: 266 Uptime: 1 day Memory: 925.6/1891.9MB
Init: systemd runlevel: 5 Gcc sys: 7.3.0
Client: Shell (bash 4.4.191) inxi: 2.3.56
I'll do my best to carry out the same exercise on my old iMac before it locks up. If successful, I'll post the data here!
David
Last edited by Moem on Tue Oct 09, 2018 2:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Adding [code] tags. They retain some formatting that makes your output easier to read.
Reason: Adding [code] tags. They retain some formatting that makes your output easier to read.
Re: Installing Linux Mint an an old Apple iMac
Hey!
I managed to get a photograph before the iMac locked-up and before the screen went grey!
There's a much better resolution image here: https://i.postimg.cc/wTM0PydZ/Old_i_Mac ... _Linux.jpg
Does anything untoward 'jump out' to anyone?
Any clues/advice welcomed.
David
I managed to get a photograph before the iMac locked-up and before the screen went grey!
There's a much better resolution image here: https://i.postimg.cc/wTM0PydZ/Old_i_Mac ... _Linux.jpg
Does anything untoward 'jump out' to anyone?
Any clues/advice welcomed.
David
Re: Installing Linux Mint an an old Apple iMac
I really appreciate your post, 'HaveaMint'. Sadly, though, I don't understand what you wanted me to do.HaveaMint wrote: ⤴Tue Oct 09, 2018 6:16 am When you do as Pierre suggested paste it in the above </> to make it easier to read.Code: Select all
Like this
D.
Re: Installing Linux Mint an an old Apple iMac
Sorry if I was as clear as mud.
"Tune for maximum Smoke and then read the Instructions".
Re: Installing Linux Mint an an old Apple iMac
I have never used same anywhere before! I'd not even noticed it if I'm totally honest.
Will you give me an example of how it could/should be used?
I'm still just a little confused (but thank you for clarifying! )
D.
Will you give me an example of how it could/should be used?
I'm still just a little confused (but thank you for clarifying! )
D.
Re: Installing Linux Mint an an old Apple iMac
I've edited your inxi report by adding the code tags. That's one of the most frequent uses.
If your issue is solved, kindly indicate that by editing the first post in the topic, and adding [SOLVED] to the title. Thanks!
Re: Installing Linux Mint an an old Apple iMac
WOW! Thank you! I now understand.
Do you have any idea of what one needs to type into Terminal on an Apple machine to get similar information? ('Your' code didn't 'work'!)
D.
Re: Installing Linux Mint an an old Apple iMac
Just in case anyone is mildly interested, here's the article I read which prompted me to test the RAM in my old iMac:-
https://www.macworld.com/article/236204 ... ix-it.html
I did also ask for help and assistance here:-
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8556174/url
Sadly, there was no response, but folk here might enjoy watching the video to discover how one Apple user solved a similar problem to mine!
Before seriously considering taking similar action, I will wait for my new, replacement, RAM to arrive from Crucial, install it and see if it makes ANY difference to the current situation. All this is quite fun when one has other computers with which to play - but that wasn't always the case; faults which prevented me from 'computing' used to drive me nuts!
David
Re: Installing Linux Mint an an old Apple iMac
Thank you so much for your input, Pierre.Pierre wrote: ⤴Tue Oct 09, 2018 6:04 am you did well to get rid of win-10 on that small Dell computer ..
- there is a strong trend towards using the new style eMMC HardCard for the diskdrive,
and the newest eMMC drives are now around 128 - 256Gb in size.
but, the real issue is that these type of PCs are custom designed for the Windows System,
and as such, are often tricky to install any Linux System onto them.
thus that new 27in Apple iMac is in the same category, as well,
as these machines, too are a custom designed system.
in both cases, to get to diagnose, exactly what hardware is installed into your machine,
in order to get any Linux System working correctly:
inxi -Fxz
can be typed into Terminal - in order to determine, just what hardware is involved.
- on a working Linux System - that is, even if that is just a Newly Booted Live Environment.
Just in case you, or anybody else reading this thread is interested in my previous attempt to elicit expert views on this matter, here's a link to my discussion on the Apple Support Communities (ASC) forums:-
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8544819/
It's all been a good learning experience!
David
Re: Installing Linux Mint an an old Apple iMac
Nope, sorry... never used one of those. But your favourite search engine might be able to cough something up.
If your issue is solved, kindly indicate that by editing the first post in the topic, and adding [SOLVED] to the title. Thanks!
Re: Installing Linux Mint an an old Apple iMac
You were right, Moem!
I found this: https://www.itechlounge.net/2013/09/mac ... -terminal/
Amazingly comprehensive data found!
Thank you.
Re: Installing Linux Mint on an old Apple iMac
That looks like a great find, well done!
If your issue is solved, kindly indicate that by editing the first post in the topic, and adding [SOLVED] to the title. Thanks!
Re: Installing Linux Mint on an old Apple iMac
Hello again!
My new RAM arrived today and is now installed in my old iMac.
I used my thumb drive containing Linux Mint to boot my machine. This time the machine did not get hot and the 'picture' remained 'on screen'. So I decided to attempt to INSTALL Linux Mint - and install it did! It's 'up and running' with a very long Ethernet cable connecting to my router in the next room. I confirm that the computer is 'on-line'!
Can anyone reading here help me to get this old iMac, now running Linux Mint 19 Cinnamon, to connect wirelessly to my router?
David
Note: I may still have a problem when I shut down the machine and then want to start up again. Last time, I got the quick flash of something like @£*& boot /&%@ and I had to reinstall again.
My new RAM arrived today and is now installed in my old iMac.
I used my thumb drive containing Linux Mint to boot my machine. This time the machine did not get hot and the 'picture' remained 'on screen'. So I decided to attempt to INSTALL Linux Mint - and install it did! It's 'up and running' with a very long Ethernet cable connecting to my router in the next room. I confirm that the computer is 'on-line'!
Can anyone reading here help me to get this old iMac, now running Linux Mint 19 Cinnamon, to connect wirelessly to my router?
David
Note: I may still have a problem when I shut down the machine and then want to start up again. Last time, I got the quick flash of something like @£*& boot /&%@ and I had to reinstall again.