Initial State - Before Cleanup

The ThinkPad arrived pretty dusty and worn out. It was clear the machine had seen several years of use. Before considering any software or Linux installation, the hardware needed a thorough cleaning session first.

Repair and changes

Changes:

• New CMOS
• New thermal paste
• New palmrest
• IDE to M-Sata SSD adapter
• Ultrabay to Sata adapter
• New wifi card

Aug. 2025 / Gentoo struggle

Right now I’m working on getting Gentoo running on the T42. Since the Pentium M doesn’t exactly have much power, I’m compiling the packages on my other ThinkPad (E14 Gen 5 AMD) and then transferring them over. That saves a lot of time – otherwise the little T42 would probably be compiling for days.

The T42 itself is busy updating the @world set — which is taking quite a while since I went with the x86 desktop profile. It’s already been compiling for a full day, so fingers crossed everything goes smoothly. With a bit of luck, I’ll have a working desktop up and running in the next few days.

Well… here we go.
Pro tip: don’t pick the desktop profile unless you actually want your T42 to spend a week straight compiling.
The kernel I built isn’t booting yet (pray for me), but at least I’ve got all the precompiled software sitting on my other ThinkPad—if that one decides to cooperate.
Still a work in progress… but hey, progress is progress.

Sep. 2025 / yayy

After a few days of trial and error, I finally have my T42 running Gentoo!
I still need to build a custom kernel, since the current (dist) kernel doesn’t have my WiFi module enabled.
I did the base install directly on the T42, then compiled the rest in a chroot on my better PC and transferred the files over. Everything’s running pretty smoothly so far.

I also installed antiX Linux on another drive. I must admit, antiX is a better fit for the IBM T42; at least for me. Compile times on the Pentium M are... hell, and it’s not the most enjoyable experience. But I still use Gentoo, antiX, and Windows XP on it :3

Current state

The T42 now has multiple operating systems installed:

• Gentoo Linux - Main system with WindowMaker
• antiX Linux - Lightweight alternative, surprisingly good fit for the Pentium M (also WM)
• Q4OS - just to try it out and play around with Trinity DE

I must admit that antiX is actually a better fit for the T42's hardware. Compile times on the Pentium M with Gentoo are... intense, to say the least. But I still use and maintain the Gentoo installation alongside the others.

I've been using my more powerfull pc to compile software and Kerles for the T42.
I tried to get the networking driver for the Intel PRO/Wireless 2915ABG and the ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 driver to run, but it didn't worked that well. I got the 2915AGB to work but sadly not with the ATI Radeon driver.
I will still try it out but might take some time.