"Downgrading" Ubuntu How To?

Over the weekend, I decided to try the Linux experience (for the first time) on an old pc.

The pc is a Compaq with 512Mg/RAM and 1.7G processor. I installed Ubuntu 12.10 and got it running, but I'm having some problems* and I think I've bitten off more than that old pc can chew.
I did a little more reading, and found some opinions that maybe Ubuntu 10 would run better. (Other opinions are welcome)
If I switch to Ubuntu 10, or another, what's the best way to go about it?

(FYI: Still have Windows installed, but I want to dump it as soon as I get Linux running well.)

*Problems: The pc has an NVIDIA graphics card and there are some bugs with Ubuntu12.10/NVIDIA. I can't get the display to show the correct screen size, so I don't have access to the launch bar. I put some fixes in which helped Ubuntu to recognize the card, but it's not the right card. (Also, it now thinks it's a laptop.)
Working online, trying to get to NVIDIA and look for driver updates, made the pc go very slow. I'm thinking I don't have enough memory to effectively work in Ubuntu 12.10, which made me look for alternatives, which led to this post.

 

Are you using the included NVIDIA drivers, or the restricted drivers?

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/drivers

I would recommend an alternative windows manager such as included with Lubuntu.

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/purelubuntu

Or Xubuntu

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/purexubuntu

 

You are correct. 512MB RAM is NOT enough to run Unity in 12.10. Also, nVidia cards are squirrely in the most recent kernels. You've got a bad match between hardware and software.

I've got an old Compaq Presaria with similar specs, except I bumped the RAM to 2GB. That machine runs Ubuntu 10.04 LTS and will NOT be upgraded by me; I've "locked it down"...no updates, no patches, nothing; and it runs fantastically!

I would suggest the following possible fixes, in order of increasing amounts of "pain", assuming you want to keep the Unity desktop.

1. bump up the RAM. IMO, you should have at least 2GB of RAM for Ubuntu & Unity. Ideally 4-6GB.

2. Try the Unity 2d desktop. While in Ubuntu, logout. At the login screen, there will be an Ubuntu logo at the top right of the user login. Click the logo and choose Unity2, which is Unity without the graphical effects. Ubuntu will remember the login preference until you change it. Coupled with #1 above, you should be good to go.

3. Consider an alternative desktop environemnt, such as LXDE (Lubuntu) or XFCE (Xubuntu). These are lighter on resources and would run better on your machine; each can be selected from the software center. Unity is really designed for newer hardware. Upgrade your specs, or downgrade your software!

4. Re-install a different system. Consider Lubuntu 12.04 LTS or Xubuntu 12.04 LTS. If you must stick with Ubuntu, revert to 10.04 LTS. A re-installation would be the cleanest method, as there is no "downgrading" of Ubuntu to a version that wasn't previously installed. I.E. unless you upgraded from 10.04 to 12.10, you can't downgrade. Even then, you can only select the older version kernel, AFAIK.

FWIW, I'd probably do #1, no matter what. Then, if #2 didn't give me any satisfaction, try #3. Anything installed in #3 can always be easily undone. #4 is a last resort; it's the most painful fix, but also the most likely...FWIW! Good luck!

 

You need to find your answers on different Forums, nothing wrong with majorgeeks but the Ubuntu one has much more active people, especially old timers. Ask all your question(s) there.
here is the link:
http://ubuntuforums.org/forum.php

visit this forum as well, link:
http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=14

Also look in "Launchpad" for bugs reflecting your problem.
Example, and read carefuly, since this bug is similar to yours...plus you will see how properly one should fill out a bug with Ubuntu...info, info and more info is needed
link:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/nvidia-graphics-drivers/+bug/976166

So again, you need to provide more info about your comp, how old? and exactly what graphic card is that you have.
How much dedicated memory to your graphic card? (32/64/or 128 MB)

First I agree with Hedon_James that 512 MB RAM is very little and for sure not enough to run any compiz. But I disagree that it is impossible to run newer ubuntu's anything from 10.04 to 13.04 which is still in Alpha stages presently.
Example..I am now on 13.04 with all the bells and whistles (in terms of graphics/unity) and my total used RAM is 515 MB and swap is zero (0) bytes. (without any app being open!)

And yes 10.04 LTS (codename Lucid) is a nice release (despite not reading my BT hardware)
And I still do use it myself because all of my work is there..
Older version of Ubuntu (below 10.04) will help you very little and running other lighter on resources desktop environment like LXDE, E16/17, Blackbox etc will not help you at all if the graphic card isn't recognized correctly (no matter how much or little RAM one might have)

Do this:
First update your BIOS (flash it)

Install Xubuntu 10.04 ( it is no longer supported but very good (U)Xbuntu release)
After you fix all your graphic problems you can always install Gnome (or whatever) Desktop later on.

The advantage you have on Xubuntu/xfce out of the box is that you can right click anywhere on desktop and all menus to all programs and settings will show up,
Here you open System Log and look/read "kernel.log" "syslog" and "Xorg.log" or "Xorg0.log"
from the last boot. and see what output is there...copy and save it.

Open Synaptic Package manager and search for this package >>> hardinfo
install hardinfo, then you look for it...cannot find it in any menu? open the terminal and enter this line code:
/usr/bin/hardinfo and press enter
Generate a report/status of your hardware.

The bottom line is, to identify your hardware first and foremost, then look for help on Ubuntu forums and worst case scenario you can fill out a bug concerning your video card at launchpad.net.
like the one you saw up above.
Which most likely will arrive in my inbox, since I'm a subscriber to all bugs.

Optional at your own risk you can add ppa's software source(s)
But these optional software sources (sometimes life savers), were designed to overcome problems on newer hardwares like video cards etc not the older ones.
Adding this type of sources is not recommended for beginners.

And last but not least, install more RAM..for older computers, most likely it doesn't cost more than few bucks

Note:
Synaptic Package manager doesn't come with Ubuntu on newer versions 11.10 >
Must first install it via software center...I rarely if ever use software center so have no clue if hardinfo is there or not.

 

Unless its Ubuntu or nothing for you, you might have a look at some lightweight (RAM) distros:

http://maketecheasier.com/best-lightweight-linux-distribution-for-older-computers/2012/02/17

Also, check out http://livecdlist.com/ where you can get Live CD/DVD versions to test run first, see if you even like the way it drives...

 

With the limited amount of RAM of your PC I would try a lighter version of Linux. PCLinuxOS is very light on resources, and Debian would run well on your unit. Also try a lighter environment for X windows. I would go with XFce to start with. If your system still bogs down try Fluxbox (not very user friendly). PCLinux OS has exceptional hardware detection and is light on resources.

PCLinuxOS

 

An XFCE desktop is good advice! Alternatively, an LXDE desktop is even lighter on resources!

 

Indeed! I should have also posted a link to the LXDE version of PCLinuxOS.

PCLinuxOS LXDE version