My Seventeen Year old 2007 Dell D520 Latitude : Still Going Strong

This blog post recounts the life journey of a 17-year-old Dell Latitude D520 laptop and its recent revival. From supporting career moves to becoming a recording studio, the post emphasizes the importance of reviving old tech. It highlights the challenges and joys of bringing an old laptop back to life and inspires readers to consider similar projects. In mid 2021, I had  recently had it serviced- deep cleaning, cpu thermal paste re-applied, and fan cleaned. I also changed the storage disk to a 120 GB SSD Drive. The original battery still holds charge for over 2.5 hours. Fan noise is an issue, so is a green streak on the LCD screen. But overall, a big thumbs up!

If I connect an external monitor and use a USB keyboard and mouse, I can probably squeeze another 3 or 4 years out of this laptop.

Summary in Hindi

इस ब्लॉग पोस्ट में 17 साल पुराने Dell Latitude D520 लैपटॉप की जीवन यात्रा और उसके हाल की पुनर्जीवन का वर्णन है। करियर बदलाव का समर्थन करने से लेकर रिकॉर्डिंग स्टूडियो बनने तक, पोस्ट पुराने टेक को पुनर्जीवित करने के महत्व को महसूस कराता है। यह पुराने लैपटॉप को वापस जीवन में लाने की चुनौतियों और खुशियों को उजागर करता है और पाठकों को समान परियोजनाओं पर विचार करने के लिए प्रेरित करता है।इस ब्लॉग पोस्ट में डेल लैटिट्यूड D520 लैपटॉप को फिर से जीवित करने की प्रक्रिया को उसकी हार्ड ड्राइव (SATA SSD में शिफ्ट करने), रैम और सीपीयू को अपग्रेड करके कवर किया गया है। इसमें  लैपटॉप पर लिनक्स वितरण को स्थापित करने के लिए  मार्गदर्शिका प्रदान की गई है। Dell D520 booting with OpenSuse Linux, c. Dec 2016

Backstory behind my Dell D520 Latitude Laptop

I had purchased a Dell Latitude D520 in 2007, when I was applying to business schools. It has proved to be the best 650 dollar investment (add another $250 odd dollars that I had paid for tree year warranty, that I never ended up using). Some time back, I had written about my journey with this laptop.Below is a summary of that post, with a more readable timeline.

A Companion For over a Decade and a Half

My 2007 Dell D520 Latitude laptop has been more than just a piece of technology; it’s been a loyal companion through pivotal moments in my life.

From Job Searches to MBA to startup, and More

After moving back to India in 2008, this laptop supported me throughout my job search and was instrumental during my MBA years at IIM Ahmedabad. Its transformation continued when it became gaathastory’s first “recording hardware.” The laptop witnessed my struggles and triumphs as I recorded, edited, and published my first 50 episodes on it.

Memory (RAM) Upgrades

The system originally was shipped with 512 MB RAM. In 2008, I installed a 2 GB Stick, taking the total to 2.5 GB RAM. IN 2017, I added a second stick of 2 GB of RAM (2 memory slots with 2 GB DDR2 667 Mhz each). I thus was able to run it with 4 GB of RAM. Around 2018, due to an electrical Surge, one module of 2 GB is shot. By then I had replaced the 80 GB Hard disk with a 120 GB Cheap SSD I had ordered from Ali Express. The disk was also fried during this issue, and I had to re install the original Hard disk.

With a 1.67 Ghz dual core Intel CPU, 2 GB DDR 2 RAM and 80 GB of Hard drive, the system had its limitations in terms of performance.

2017: Testing Multiple Linux Distributions

Choice of Linux Distributions

Below section has extracts from a note
I had written in early 2018.

Despite my frequent desire to experiment with various Linux distributions, I keep finding myself drawn back to Lubuntu. My ageing Dell laptop, equipped with an 80GB hard drive, limits my choices somewhat. I have published a separate post on my experience with Bodhi Linux, Zorin Os, Xubuntu, and other Linux distributions that I tried on this laptop. Two more noteworthy names are 1. LX Pup– This Sweetheart is based on Puppy Linux. Fast, responsive, but rather ugly interface. 2. Rebellin- originally based on Debian,worth a try. 3. Salixlive– based on Slackware. Another sweetheart. You will get the basics- word processor, web browser, email client. Installer additional software is a little tricky, though not very difficult. This distribution can be #2 on my list.

Experimenting with Manjaro

I observed a few issues when I attempted to run Manjaro. Pimax, in particular, slowed the system down significantly, so much so that I ended up uninstalling it. I opted to use Pacman via the terminal instead, which was a hurdle that I managed to overcome as an intermediate user.

Boot Time Issues

With the computer’s age, speeding up the boot time at GRUB proves to be a challenge. Basic steps offer minimal improvements. A faster boot disk could be an ideal solution, but with limited effect.

CPU and System Heat Issues

My CPU was constantly running at 1GHz, rather than its full 1.66GHz potential, leading to the laptop running hot – a rather concerning observation. Below is CPU and disk temperature at fresh boot, with Crucial 120 GB SATA Drive

amar@Sanganak0:/tmp$ sensors
Adapter: ISA adapter
Core 0: +67.0°C (high = +100.0°C)
Core 1: +68.0°C (high = +100.0°C)

amar@Sanganak0:/tmp$ hddtemp /dev/sda
[sudo] password for amar:
/dev/sda: CT120BX500SSD1: 58°C

2018: The “Honourable Discharge”

However, in 2018, the laptop faced an SSD fault causing it to overheat severely. Alongside, RAM detection became a constant issue. These signs hinted at its ageing.I installed Deepen Desktop and decided to put the system in “storage”.

2019-2022: Upgrading Dell Latitude D520 and Linux

I want to write about how Linux revived this laptop – six months I after had honourably discharged it from day to day duties. In late 2015, my wife and I, decided to put it back to use for our startup, gaathastory. This laptop would not only serve as a backup for podcast recordings, but also do the following tasks: writing show notes, basic image editing, and most importantly, running Hootsuite for our social media promotions. My nearly 17 15 year old  Dell Latitude D520 may be aging, but its enduring efficiency has kept it relevant. This blog details my journey in sprucing up this machine, running primarily on Ubuntu based Linux distributions. Check out Dell’s OEM specifications to get a deeper understanding of what you’re working with.

2020: SSD Upgrade and a New Lease of Life

The year 2020 marked the laptop’s resurrection. A general servicing and the installation of a 120 GB Crucial SATA SSD revamped its functionality. I highly recommended for its price-to-performance ratio. I also tried using a 240 GB M2 Sata SSD drive with an adapter (see below). But I would recommend a 2.5 inch SATA SSD based on my experience. Switching to a SATA SSD was the first noticeable milestone. It wasn’t just an upgrade; it made a remarkable difference on the system’s overall performance.

Memory (RAM) Limitations: A Lesson Learned

Navigating the D520’s RAM limitations was a bit like walking on a tightrope. Officially, it supports up to 2.5GB of RAM. But, a risk taken to push it to 4GB led to a fried motherboard. Now, it’s back to functioning with 2GB, which, surprisingly, suffices for essential tasks. In 2019, I upgraded RAM to 4 GB and installed a 120 GB SSD disk I had purchased from Ali Express. There was a voltage overload one day, and a slight spark and a burning smell later, the laptop stopped working. The issue I experienced was Every time I would boot the laptop, the green lights near the bottom left of the LCD screen would keep blinking. I tried to look up Dell’s customer support forum and other resources to identify the issue. But that was not of much help. Below was one solution that seemed to give me a clue as to what the issue was. I finally gave the laptop for repair at a neighborhood computer repair store in Bengaluru. As I write this post, in hindsight, I think I got fleeced, but the machine was up and running.

CPU Upgrade: A Risk Averted

A CPU upgrade seemed tempting, and an order was even placed with an Indian reseller for around $15. However, fate intervened—between the reseller’s dubious credibility and COVID-related lockdowns, the order was canceled. Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise.

Marketplace Insights: A Calculated Future

I discovered another D520 listed on Facebook Marketplace for around $150, which for a 16-year-old machine seemed excessive unless one values nostalgia. My future tech itinerary includes a possible trip to the U.S., targeting a dual purchase. In addition to buying a Dell D520 for parts, I also aim to purchase a CPU that is compatible with this chipset.

Battery Performance

The original battery for this laptop surprisingly holds charge quite well- nearly 2.5 Hours of use. Which is really great.

Side Note: Why Buying hardware for upgrade in the US Makes Sense

The US, with platforms like eBay and Craigslist, offers more budget-friendly options for tech parts, dodging the hefty charges often seen in India. A new motherboard would provide a much-needed upgrade, allow for extra RAM, and perhaps, restore my 2001 Dell D520 Latitude to its prime. In the images below, I installed Xubuntu Jammy (22.04 early version) and Bodhi Linux. I also tried Deep, Lubuntu, Anti and a couple of other distributions. . And the machine runs just fine. However, I saw good battery, wifi and disk speed performance when I run ZorinOS or Manjaro Linux on it. Note:

1. You can check out the benchmark (YABS) results on this link
2. You can view more images on this page.

If you’re clinging a fifteen Sixteen year old laptop such as a Dell Latitude D520 like I am, the key is to smartly and safely upgrade components to breathe new life into it. Although you’re bound by some limitations, with careful planning, it’s possible to extend the laptop’s useful life. Reviving my 16-year-old Dell Latitude D520 has been a fulfilling journey. It’s a testimony to the power of Linux in breathing life into older tech. If you have an old laptop gathering dust, consider reviving it. It’s a rewarding experience, both for you and the environment. Also read: Does Recycling really save the environment? and Does Upgrading old Computers really help the environment?

Final Thoughts on 2007 Dell D520 Latitude and Linux

Linux offers a great alternative for keeping ageing systems running. This offers a great way to sustainably use old computers, and I am positive that this machine will keep chugging along for a long time to come. If I connect an external monitor and use a USB keyboard and mouse, I can probably squeeze another 3 or 4 years out of this laptop. For the technically inclined, I am posting the results from a benchmark test I ran on this laptop back in 2021. _{This post was published under the category Computer Upgrades and was updated on 2 September 2023. 3 March 2024}