Just how ancient is your old laptop?  What are its specs (processor, memory, etc.)?

Assuming that you're using a Ubuntu-based edition of Linux Mint, try a distro that isn't based on Ubuntu.  Linux Mint Debian Edition bypasses the heavy Ubuntu overhead.  Another great Debian-based distro is Snowlinux.  (I'm using Snowlinux 4 Glacier with MATE right now.)

For an even lighter distro, try antiX Linux or Puppy Linux.  antiX Linux is a lightweight version of MEPIS Linux (also Debian-based), and Puppy Linux is a lightweight independent distro (and the parent of MacPup).

On Thu, 14 Feb 2013 09:31:51 -0600
Nicholas Korsakov <Nicholas.Korsakov at mwcia.org> wrote:

> I have an old laptop which can barely run Mint Linux (which I really like).
> 
> When I installed the latest version of Mint, I could not find a readily find a driver for my (relatively new) wireless printer.
> 
> I can probably work though this, but it is a pain.
> 
> Also, I am getting weird imagery when booting...lots of vertical lines for a while and text about my batter life (it's plugged in).
> 
> 
-- 
Jason Hsu <jhsu802701 at jasonhsu.com>