Which distro should I run on my old computer?

joshdick · 04-07-2003, 07:10 PM

I'm sorry for posting another 'which distro is best' kind of question, but I wasn't finding much help on the web.

Here's my thing. Recently, a friend of mine gave me an old computer of his because I didn't have one. This computer is running Windows 95, and I'd like to try Linux. I need a distro that will work decently with this older computer:

150 MHz Intel Pentium processor
1.2 GB hard drive
16 MB RAM, upgradeable to 128 MB
28K modem
8X CD-ROM drive

Now, I know that upgrading this computer would help, but I'm not in a finacial position to do too much. I'd really like to know if there's a version of Linux that won't be too bothered by an old computer. I'll be extremely happy if my computer after getting Linux will do the following:

word processing
C++ programming
web browsing and e-mail
AIM

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Also, please let me know how much time I should schedule to install Linux. Thank you.

confuted · 04-07-2003, 07:36 PM

on the last part, I'd say between an hour and two hours, including the format and partition.

Vber · 04-08-2003, 02:46 AM

You can try to use Slackware, it's a little bit advanced, but sure not as heavy as Mandrake or Redhat. Also, you can try gentoo, or even an BSD.

joshdick · 04-08-2003, 01:46 PM

Vber, I know that those are some of the major distributions of Linux, but I need to know which one will run best on my older machine. I've heard that Slackware is very difficult to use, so I think I'll stay away from that if possible. Please let me know the pros/cons of the ones you mentioned.

golfinguy4 · 04-08-2003, 05:37 PM

How about Suse? Slack based with an easier installer. Just don't use a heavy wm.

Not too sure about the requirements though as I've never used Suse. BTW, contrary to popular belief, you can download Suse, it just isn't too easy.

Vber · 04-09-2003, 01:37 AM

The pro of slack, is one of the distros that you can install using Floppy (zip-slack), it's sure not heavy (if you install just neccessary). Remember, even if you install slack, and you start to install all the packages from the installation, your pc will blown down. The only thing it's a kinda bad in Slack is hard comparing to other distros.

About gentoo, you can download the minidisk (16MB) and from this disk install gentoo, but how? in the installation you'll install the internet and JUST download the packages that YOU want.

About BSD I don't know too much, I can say it's very stable, once installed it's easier to use him, and to install packages it's easy, because the ports. Look some BSD distros, OpenBSD, NetBSD, FreeBSD. I don't know a lot about their differences, ask vVv.

>>How about SuSE?
Well, If he know's how to install it well, not installing all the packages, that's ok, but I sill think that installing minimal, slack is better.

04-07-2003, 07:10 PM	#1
joshdick Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Phildelphia, PA Posts: 1,146	Which distro should I run on my old computer? I'm sorry for posting another 'which distro is best' kind of question, but I wasn't finding much help on the web. Here's my thing. Recently, a friend of mine gave me an old computer of his because I didn't have one. This computer is running Windows 95, and I'd like to try Linux. I need a distro that will work decently with this older computer: 150 MHz Intel Pentium processor 1.2 GB hard drive 16 MB RAM, upgradeable to 128 MB 28K modem 8X CD-ROM drive Now, I know that upgrading this computer would help, but I'm not in a finacial position to do too much. I'd really like to know if there's a version of Linux that won't be too bothered by an old computer. I'll be extremely happy if my computer after getting Linux will do the following: word processing C++ programming web browsing and e-mail AIM Any help would be greatly appreciated. Also, please let me know how much time I should schedule to install Linux. Thank you. __________________ FAQ "The computer programmer is a creator of universes for which he alone is responsible. Universes of virtually unlimited complexity can be created in the form of computer programs." -- Joseph Weizenbaum. "If you cannot grok the overall structure of a program while taking a shower, you are not ready to code it." -- Richard Pattis.
joshdick is offline

04-07-2003, 07:36 PM	#2
confuted Pursuing knowledge Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 1,916	on the last part, I'd say between an hour and two hours, including the format and partition. __________________ Away.
confuted is offline

04-08-2003, 02:46 AM	#3
Vber Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 807	You can try to use Slackware, it's a little bit advanced, but sure not as heavy as Mandrake or Redhat. Also, you can try gentoo, or even an BSD.
Vber is offline

04-08-2003, 01:46 PM	#4
joshdick Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Phildelphia, PA Posts: 1,146	Vber, I know that those are some of the major distributions of Linux, but I need to know which one will run best on my older machine. I've heard that Slackware is very difficult to use, so I think I'll stay away from that if possible. Please let me know the pros/cons of the ones you mentioned. __________________ FAQ "The computer programmer is a creator of universes for which he alone is responsible. Universes of virtually unlimited complexity can be created in the form of computer programs." -- Joseph Weizenbaum. "If you cannot grok the overall structure of a program while taking a shower, you are not ready to code it." -- Richard Pattis.
joshdick is offline

04-08-2003, 05:37 PM	#5
golfinguy4 ¡Amo fútbol! Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 2,121	How about Suse? Slack based with an easier installer. Just don't use a heavy wm. Not too sure about the requirements though as I've never used Suse. BTW, contrary to popular belief, you can download Suse, it just isn't too easy.
golfinguy4 is offline

04-09-2003, 01:37 AM	#6
Vber Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 807	The pro of slack, is one of the distros that you can install using Floppy (zip-slack), it's sure not heavy (if you install just neccessary). Remember, even if you install slack, and you start to install all the packages from the installation, your pc will blown down. The only thing it's a kinda bad in Slack is hard comparing to other distros. About gentoo, you can download the minidisk (16MB) and from this disk install gentoo, but how? in the installation you'll install the internet and JUST download the packages that YOU want. About BSD I don't know too much, I can say it's very stable, once installed it's easier to use him, and to install packages it's easy, because the ports. Look some BSD distros, OpenBSD, NetBSD, FreeBSD. I don't know a lot about their differences, ask vVv. >>How about SuSE? Well, If he know's how to install it well, not installing all the packages, that's ok, but I sill think that installing minimal, slack is better.
Vber is offline

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
some odd computer problems	DavidP	Tech Board	14	03-31-2008 06:25 AM
Computer science major?	aznprincess888	General Discussions	14	03-26-2008 06:49 AM
Having only one function run at higher priority	ulillillia	C Programming	35	02-24-2008 06:56 PM
Run time differences in Linux gcc versions	circuitbreaker	C++ Programming	7	02-14-2008 11:09 PM
getting maximum CPU speed	13th Phazer	C++ Programming	14	10-20-2004 06:41 PM