Lenovo ThinkPad x61 Dual Boot Installation Option Missing

Installing Zorin OS
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#5

@Aravisian,

I did the chkdsk in Windows and after reboot. There were filesystem issues and was fixed. Doing disk defrag in Windows and have been going on for hours. :rofl:

Seems after not using the laptop since 2011 and my recent uninstalling 60GB of software and deleting personal file, the drive was at 53% fragmentation after 10 passes. The drive is around 50% full now. Hopefully, the two operations will fix the installation issue.

I guess the laptop being an old 2008 model with Core 2 Duo T8100 Penryn with only 3GB DDR2 doesn't help with speed.

I'll let you know if it's resolved, asap.

Thanks!:grin:

#6

Just to be sure, this is 64 bit, not 32bit architecture, right?

Need to be careful around the 686's, those are actually 32bit.

#7

For that spec, you might be better off using XFCE desktop rather than GNOME. Zorin 16 Lite is not out yet, but there is Zorin 15.3 Lite which uses XFCE desktop.

1 Like
#8

It is. It was before 64-bit became the new norm. At least Win10 is still in 32-bit.

But, according to the specs it's x86 with 64-bit support. Would it really matter much compared to a pure 64-bit CPU? I tried the OS16 using live boot on USB stick for an hour and seemed to work fine.

The 64-bit transition still confused me sometimes. I haven't followed computing as much as compared to when I was younger. I started back in the late 1980s to and stopped around 2003.

#9

Understood. But, I like new things and bigger numbers. Lol. Would XFCE look much different than stock environment? I do like the look of GNOME. But, I haven't really played much with Linux in the past, so my mind might change in the future.

#10

That's 686.
It has "support' for 64bit - this would take some in-depth explaining. But the short short version for this thread is - it is not really 64bit. You would need 32bit.

#11

You would not see much difference in using a newer kernel for that vintage of architecture.
Also, when Zorin 16 Lite is out, there will be a upgrade path.

Oops, I messed that one.
Then OP needs other distro which still supports 32bit architecture in their latest offering - such as MXLinux.

2 Likes
#12

Zorin 16 does not support 32bit arch. The only option is Zorin OS 15.3 lite 32bit.

#13

Yup, I saw that and added some lines in the previous posting.

1 Like
#14

I don't think ZorinOS Core/Pro 16 has 32-bit version, right? Maybe the future Lite version?

I guess the 32-bit CPU wouldn't be as efficient, or would the OS just not run?

#15

No, Zorin is based on Ubuntu which dropped 32bit support.
So the Lite version will be 64bit only.

1 Like
#16

Actually I had a close look at the CPU spec.
It says 64bit.
But its BIOS could be 32bit (yes, there is such chimeric system).

You could try booting from 64 bit live USB.
If it boots, then you are lucky.

If not, I can help you to convert 64 bit Ubuntu based OS to be installable on a 32bit BIOS.

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#17

I tried the thumb drive live boot for an hour for both Core and Pro, and was stable.

Wow, you're amazing, if you're willing to help me with the conversion.

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#18

Then congratulation :slight_smile: you do have a 64 bit system.

Since you have purchased Pro edition, you can ask for installation help directly from Zorin group. Just reply to the email you received after the payment and ask for help. Installation support is included in the price of the Zorin 16 Pro.

1 Like
#19

Yay! :rofl: I need to celebrate.

#20

Good idea. I forgot about the support. :grin:

2 Likes
#21

Actually it is not me who is amazing.
The real brain behind this project is this:

1 Like
#22

I think you need to format this original 150GB partition using Gparted tool included in the live USB. You will not see the install option till you have a properly formatted partition.

#23

Please be sure all chkdsk, windows fast boot and hibernation are complete and off before proceeding. If you change the partition for windows and windows has a lock on the drive for one of those purposes you'll be installing two os's, not one.

Resize the windows partition leaving about 10gb for play. Updates and software will eat it pretty quickly. The unallocated space that gives you can be formatted ext4 (not in windows... windows can't read ext4) that will be where you put zorin. Overwrite the windows bootloader partition to have the dual boot experience. Beyond that, you should be good. If you do make a mess, install using the gpt/uefi style of possible (may have to upgrade your bios though). If make sure the bios was completely up to date before trying any of this.

#24

I haven't been able to resize my Window10 volume/partition. I need to figure out why. Might be some page file or hibernation files locking it. Need to reconfirm.