So I use a lightweight Linux distribution called Xubuntu. Most of my laptops are older hardware 'cause I believe in holding onto devices for as long as possible and Xubuntu allows some truly ancient computers to run as if they were brand new.

I mostly work with Dell laptops as that's what my company uses, and I'm able to acquire them when the company no longer has a use for them, which is usually only shortly into their lifespan.

I was just working on an old Lenovo Y700 laptop for a dear friend, something they've had sitting around for a while, and there were certain challenges in it I'd like to record in case I ever have to do this again.

(Using Xubuntu 20.04)

First, there was a severe slowdown when running Xubuntu the first time I installed it. Since Xubuntu uses basically no system resources, this was highly unusual. Turns out that was due to me making some bad assumptions during my initial messing around with the BIOS settings and attempting to install the OS off of a USB drive. I'd set it to Legacy startup and had installed Xubuntu in the same fashion, but it turns out it could handle UEFI no problem and was designed for it. A reinstall with the UEFI boot enabled fixed that issue.

Second, after installing Xubuntu, both the Wifi and Ethernet refused to function. This was unusual because they both worked during the install when installing updates. Further strange is they both still worked when running Xubuntu off the USB drive. Trying to update drivers or even blacklisting some supposedly bad drivers from the kernel didn't resolve it or make any difference at all.

This was ultimately resolved by installing Xubuntu without any updates or third party installs during the OS installation. I usually like to do those installs in order to save some time, but it ultimately isn't that big of a timesink. Updating after the installation resulted in no problems.

These ultimately turned out to be super simple solutions. I was rather frustrated while exploring some more complex theories, and I was beginning to even wonder if I was even any good at this IT thing. But that's a lesson I am constantly relearning: sometimes the simplest solutions are all you need.