~Toughbooktalk~

It's my first 53 and very pleased. Can't wait for the SSD and 16 GB RAM to come to the house via Amazon (tomorrow or the next).
In the meantime, I downloaded and burned an ISO of LMDE2, as well as all the versions of the new 18.1 that have come out recently:
XFCE, MATE, Cinnamon, KDE: https://www.linuxmint.com/download_all.php
LMDE worked just fine, but seemed to not run as fast as it has on the CF-30 and CF-52. So, while waiting for the new RAM and SSD, I burned a copy of the XFCE 18.1 found here: https://www.linuxmint.com/download.php
I used a Mint program that works every time for me. First I formatted my usb drive with USB Stick Formatter (found in Mint Menu).
Then I burned the ISO: from the mint page, using USB image Writer. I rebooted and then...
I ran the Live version of XFCE and just double clicked on the Install Icon on the desktop. and let her do her thing.
Takes about 10 minutes or so. Make sure you are plugged into AC power just in case, and follow the prompts. Once it loads the OS onto your hard drive, it will ask you to reboot or continue trying the live version. I always tell it to shut down, and once the power is off, then I turn the system back on and log in. The first thing you will want to do is log into your wireless network (unless you are hard wired and hooked up directly to the internet).
I looked up and ran a few tweaks found here: https://sites.google.com/site/easylinux ... -mint-xfce
and followed most of them. Things got very quick after following the advice and re-booting a few times. So far, everything I use works, and I did not have to tweak the system to get on to my company citrix system to get into expense reports, time cards, etc.
I can not wait to try this nice toughbook after the ram and ssd are upgraded. Forgot to mention, the first thing I did when I unboxed the system is wipe the drive of windows 7. For those having problems making a live usb install media, let us know and we'll try to get you on track. I do know that Unetbootin works when downloaded, installed, and run properly to make a Mint usb drive. If you are already using Mint, the usb image writer programs and usb stick formatter programs found above work as well. I encourage all that have been thinking of trying a Linux operating system, to dive in and give it a try. Mint 18 might not be the best distribution for an older Toughbook such as a CF-34, CF-18, CF-29, but there are many choices out there that will work. Cheers and Happy New Year.

Good report Cleve.

My 53AA had multiple Cinnamon desktop crashes...53 JULA no issues.

It could be a timing issue on lvds.

Here's updated/upgraded MX-15. MX-15 works anyway. I'm working on this. BTW this is XFCE on a 80GB platter.

Jeff

Jeff,
What I've found that tweaks for one desktop might not work for another. The above link was for the xfce desktop using Mint 18.1
Linkage for Cinnamon is found here: https://sites.google.com/site/easylinux ... amon-first
I'm up and running with a new SSD, and waiting for replacement RAM. My order came yesterday but the package was damaged and missing one of the sticks.
This is my "off week", meaning next week I'll be back on an assignment in Harrisburg, PA for 3 weeks....then off another week....then on another 3 week assignment. I'll bring some usb drives to try some live sessions of MX etc. and once I have another enclosure can have another drive to play with an install.
A note on updates. You have options when you install Mint, and choose the level of your upgrades. Use caution and do not just upgrade because you have a choice (see screen shot)
Lastly, since Jeff mentions MX-15...look here for the latest iso version: http://mxrepo.com/snapshots/?C=M;O=D
As the page says: "They are the preferred way of installing MX because some issues in the original release have been fixed already, and because it will take less time & bandwidth to update them." If anyone is having troubles downloading a Linux iso, please let me know. I can certainly burn a dvd or usb drive and send it your way.

I rarely update any 4 or 5 types.

My daily user is a Mint 17.3 that I installed in 2015.....and I just updated it this year.

Which means if it's working why upgrade.

To clarify my Cinnamon crashes mentioned above were on Mint 18 Sarah. Now they are using "Serena"...or ????

Nothing to add other than welcome back Cleve...

I've had the Mint 18 disk in 53JULA all day off and on with nary a crash of the Cinnamon desktop.

I've been using Mint on the 30 & 52 for several years, first using LMDE1 and then LMDE2. That did not play well with this newer 53. Now the 18.1 does not play well, it freezes up while shutting down, etc. I don't have the time to play with it so loaded MX-16 and away we go.
This does everything I need to do while on the road: Gmail, Citrix, Firefox, and my expense reports. I made a bootable copy of this system today for Jeff, and it's in the mail.

The kernel "error" re: lvds is interesting. kodeniner please chime in here.

Do you-all remember the flickering screen thing?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This is sent from a 52GUNBR2M running OSX.

1. No touchscreen
2. Some keys do not work....like End and brackets and Home...more to come as they show up. To be fair Home key does not work with-in the document but works on the screen.

test: _+,.<>/?;':"\|`~()*&^%$#@!...............PgUp and PgDn kinda work.....on the screen not the document....still no brackets....

Looks like udev shenanigans.