2007 Dell XPS410 and Linux

I have this old Dell Computer with Core 2 processor which I bought for $50 about five years ago. I've been running 64 bit Linux Mint XCFE on it, but lately the kernel updates have degraded its functionality. It's fine when freshly booted, but when I leave the computer for quite a while, it goes into a sleep or suspend state (I don't know which), and when it resumes, the USB keyboard and/or mouse have to be disconnected and reconnected to work again. It's also got some strange lags and short freezes that have only started happening recently which I also attribute to kernel updates--or possibly CPU age.

I live by the old maxim "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without." Other than being outmoded, this computer is completely capable. Everything on it works except the floppy disk, even an old NVidia graphics card that I scavenged from my previous computer. I remove the power cord every night to let it cool down, and it boots up immediately, but it's beginning to load slowly. One case fan has been replaced. Nevertheless, it works and I can live with the delays.

I was wondering if there might be another Linux distro that was aimed at keeping legacy BIOS computers working their best.

Can y'all recommend anything?

I have all my data saved to an external hard drive and everything is backed up to a different, elderly external hard drive which isn't connected unless it's being used. I have a pure sine wave UPS and a whole house surge suppressor.