Posted: 6/4/2012 2:20:40 PM EDT
|
I am looking for a Linux OS to install on an old computer to get comfortable using it. This computer will be dedicated to this purpose only.
Details: 800 P3 processor, 256 mb ram, 20 gig hd I have a blank hardrive now so need to know what I need to do to get the OS unto it. I do have the Windows disk to reinstall that OS if necessary. This compiter will not have an internet connection. I am also interested in playing some of my old flight sim games which ran under Win 3.1/95 if that is possible. Let me know if you need more info. Thanks. |
|
Can you add more RAM?
You can make it go with 256MB, but not with Xwindows... you'll be CLI only. Or maybe download a really old distro of Fedora or Red Hat from when 256MB was an acceptable amount? ETA: http://www.tuxradar.com/content/whats-best-lightweight-linux-distro Try Damn Small Linux |
|
http://xubuntu.org/
an even lighter-weight option http://www.slax.org/ |
|
The Fluxbox version of Linux Mint says it will work with 256MB.
http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=65 Mint XFCE version is a lot more user friendly (IMO) and also claims 256MB minimum requirement: http://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=1483 Previous posted is correct though, if at all possible to increase the RAM to 512 or larger, you'll have a lot better experience. All you need to do to install is download ISO, burn to disk, then boot up the target computer from that disk. |
| DSL (damn small linux) will work as well. I'd go with xubuntu to start, but I'd upgrade the RAM if possible. If you have a powerful machine at home, you could always just use Sun Virtualbox, and install a new distro you can run right from your desktop, without doing anything to your current OS install. |
|
I suggest you try puppy linux. I run it on old P3's with 256 Mb of RAM just fine. Don't think you'll be running any windows games in it, I don't think it supports WINE or anything like that. http://puppylinux.org |
|
That's about a 1998/1999-class machine. I don't think I'd recommend learning linux on something like that, you're going to be running such a limited or old distribution that you'll probably be frustrated doing anything modern. Unless you're just looking to dink around with a unix-like environment, that could be OK. But if you want to do much with it, I'd be looking for some cheap or free cast-off machine, something in the '06-'08 vintage or newer should be OK, especially if you max out the memory. |
|
DSL and Puppy are good distros for insanely old hardware like that.
However, if you have a more capable machine and just want to play with Linux. Download VirtualBox, install it on your more capable machine and then create a Linux Virtual Machine. This is much easier than trying to get old hardware to work and you can create multiple VMs –– allowing you to try several Linux distros. |
Win a FREE Membership!
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.