Run Bombajom on Older Hardware

Have an old laptop or PC you'd like to repurpose as a photo server? This guide helps you check your system and get started.

Step 1: Check Your System Type

First, let's find out if your computer can run the standard Bombajom binary.

On Windows

Press Win+R, type cmd, and run:

wmic cpu get AddressWidth

If it says 64, your CPU supports 64-bit. Download the standard Windows binary.

If it says 32, continue to Step 2 below.

On Linux

uname -m

If it says x86_64, your system is 64-bit. Linux is not officially supported yet. See Step 2 below for the manual self-build path.

If it says i686 or i386, continue to Step 2.

Step 2: You Have a 64-bit CPU (Most Likely)

Many laptops from 2006 and later shipped with 32-bit Windows but actually have 64-bit CPUs. If your CPU is 64-bit capable, installing a 64-bit copy of Windows or macOS is the easiest path. Both have official Bombajom installers on the downloads page.

Step 3: Truly 32-bit Systems

If your CPU is genuinely 32-bit only, you'll need to install the components manually. This requires some technical comfort.

Install Node.js

Download Node.js 22 (32-bit) from nodejs.org. Choose the "Windows x86" or "Linux x86" installer.

Install PostgreSQL

Download PostgreSQL from postgresql.org. During installation, note the password you set for the postgres user.

Install Redis

On Windows: Download from Microsoft's Redis fork.

On Linux: sudo apt install redis-server

Run the Server

git clone https://github.com/Bombajom/bombajom-photos.git
cd bombajom-photos/server
npm install
DATABASE_URL=postgresql://postgres:yourpassword@localhost:5432/bombajom npm start

Open http://localhost:3000 in your browser to see the setup page.