[AT] Linux powered old tractors (Off topic)

[Indiana Robinson]

"I've got a Dell from about 2009 or so, perhaps a 3000-series (?), running
XP.  At the time it was a workstation-class laptop, capable of running 3D
CAD software.  I don't use it much anymore, but it definitely comes in
handy sometimes.  Nothing important is stored on it.  Hard drive has given
me a few scares over the last several years, but it comes back every time
(on it's own; I have not done anything heroic).  This bootable thumb drive
thing is intriguing because you don't need any hard drive at all with it.
 In your scenario, with the hidden partition, you still need a functional
hard drive.  Plus, there's been enough discussion of Linux here on ATIS
(and elsewhere) that I'm curious.
SO"



One of the advantages of Linux is that you don't have to put a half zillion
hours on your old hard drive cranking and chomping seemingly forever doing
defrags on it. The Linux file system makes it generally unnecessary. Only
geeks and crazy people ever defrag a Linux hard drive.  :-)  Now if you
dual boot with Windows you probably need to defrag the Windows partition
with Windows but it's been a very long time since I ran a dual boot setup
and I have forgotten.
Since it is a Dell it might have a USB boot option in the BIOS at that
vintage but you will need to check.
I guess you could do the same thing with a good sized SD card... I've never
tried that. I keep a good sized micro SD card in our phones for storage.
****
Old tractor reference:
I am currently testing and installing Linux in several "OLD" boxes (picked
up at yard sales or freebies) trying to pick one to install in a
heated/cooled cabinet in the farm shop so I have a bigger screen available
to look up tractor details instead of chasing glasses to read my phone.  :-)

.


-- 
-- 

Francis Robinson
aka "farmer"
Central Indiana USA
robinson46176 at gmail.com
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