G+_Christian Erwin Geronim Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 Hi guys! I have an old laptop that runs on XP with 512MB of RAM. It's the only device that I have that has a S-Video out that I can use to connect to my old TV. I would like to ask what distro of Linux would work best if I would like to use Plex client on it? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Sam Zick Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 I have a similarly sad laptop, that I use as a plex client. It runs windows 7 with all visual settings turned down. Also, all unnecessary services are disabled. It cannot play anything in 1080p, but it works fine for TV shows and DVD quality movies. However, I wish I had an installation operating system with driver support, and already set up for plex. I have multiple PC clients running in my household, and it would be nice to have something that I can install on any system to be a plex client that all you have to do is push the power button and watch something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Derek J.D. Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 Puppy Linux is light, can run from a thumb drive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Jason Elrick Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 Yeah I'd try a few distros by booting off a thumb drive method before you blow away xp and replace it. I thought plex ran on xp? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Steve C Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 Although I haven't got any use for Plex I found the latest version of Linux Mint 15 to work well on my laptop for most things so that should work for Plex too. It looks just like Windows 7 and has versions of most popular programs available to use. I put a 30Gb SSD in the laptop so it's very fast. While the Linux works well and most things on the laptop work, even the wifi, it has some serious drawbacks that prevent it from being ready for everyone to use. One problem is printer support, my Samsung printer won't print but I found a Brother that does. Also, while Skype works fine with my Logitech webcam it doesn't support USB headsets or most other USB devices either. It doesn't support Bluetooth very well so with a lot of trouble I was able to get music to play but the mic on the headset wouldn't work and it kept making the mouse and keyboard freeze. It should work OK just for Plex though. However, if I were you I'd toss the old laptop or give it to Goodwill and get a new Android Mini PC to use with an up to date HDTV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Jason Elrick Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 Second Mint, its super fast, even in a VM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Jason Spencer Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 Why not use xp. Plex works fine on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Steve C Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 That would be too easy! That's not the way we do things here! LOL Also, with only 512Mb of ram the laptop is probably bogged down and running very slow at this point and wouldn't work too well unless he does a fresh install and he might not still have the original XP discs. If you are going to have to reinstall it might as well go with Linux since it's faster, easier and free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Danny Autrey Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 Plex should run with Puppy Linux. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Christian Erwin Geronim Posted October 5, 2013 Author Share Posted October 5, 2013 Thanks for all your comments guys! Plex did install on XP but it seems to freeze a lot. I even tried to install Android on it but the wireless card won't work. I'm currently on Puppy Linux but I'm also considering on switching to XBMC and XBMCbunto. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Derek J.D. Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 Vlc recognizes both Plex and Xbmc on the network. Twonky clients also recognize Plex server. Use Plex server as the backend and whichever clients you want (Vlc, Twonky, plex for Android, Roku, etc...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Dylan Pedersen Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 I third the option on Linux mint. Here is another option that worked for me on a 6 year old HP laptop - max out the ram using either used ram or http://crucial.com. mine was able to hold a 2 gig stick. Even if you can only get another 512mb in there it can really help. Pick up a 128 gig ssd and clone your info to it. The software to do it is included with most ssds used for upgrades, acronis is the sw I see most. This revitalized the laptop like no other. If you can get windows 7 drivers for the laptop, do the above and throw windows 7 on the ssd. Personally, I love and use mint, I loaded is on an ssd in an hp mini 110 and use it regularly, i think for you use staying with xp if you can might be best. ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Steve C Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 SSD's are really fast and really pep up an old laptop but don't last very long. I'm on my 5th one so don't put anything on there you can't afford to lose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Steve C Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 The speed isn't a problem but older units running XP probably can't accept an SATA drive. Unfortunately they don't make SSD's in ATA IDE format that you can use in older models. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Dylan Pedersen Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 Going back to the original issue - tv with a s-video connection - at this point it looks like the most economical solution is to replace the TV with one that accepts HDMI and get a plex / roku / insert favorite media streaming device box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Steve C Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 Or get an Android Mini PC since they are cheaper and will play more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Dylan Pedersen Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 good point Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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