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Hey all! My brother and I have an old Gateway computer (I can get detailed specs) running on Windows 98SE that uses an Intel Pentium II processor with 64MB RAM.
We wanted to replace the Windows 98SE with a Linux install...but we're unsure how to proceed from here.
Having such an old computer with so little memory makes me a bit worried that we can't do this:(
So my question would be which distribution of Linux would anyone suggest for our project and do you see a big problem getting Linux to run on this thing? Blessings to anyone who can help! :)
Start here.
http://oreilly.com/catalog/debian/c...
http://www.freebsd.org/doc/en/books...
See also choices above or others that are for minimal installs or minimalistic installs.
See also minimum hardware requirements. Most post that.
Almost every disto of linux, bsd, qnx, beos, and others will support that with a command line to gui. It is the GUI in linux that kills you. (window manager)
The best learning would be to install a Gentoo system from scratch."Best Practices", Event viewer, host file, perfmon, are in my top 10
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Thank you all so much for your suggestions! I may go ahead and get them all lol
I can't download them on dial-up realistically, so I am having to get the CDs. I notice that there is the 'business-card' size CD...? I'm unfamiliar with this and if it runs in a standard DVD-R drive? Should I just get the 'normal' CD or the business card size? I notice that the regular size CD is 700MB for Puppy and DSL...
Blessings to you all for your patience and input:)
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You can still burn the 50MB (and above) ISO's to a regular CD(650MB/700MB). And the business-cards should work with any DVD/CD drive. On dial-up, your best bet would be DSL (only 50MB, but still a > 2hr. download @ 56K)
If that's a really big problem, you might want to purchase a CD:
and, for what it's worth--DSL, Puppy and Feather are all really good for older hardware...
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Just to let you know. Older computers of that age might have problems with "burned" cd's and maybe business card's. The business card test is if when you open the cd tray you see a smaller circle depression in the tray. That is the size of the business card. It is a smaller cd but exactly in other ways similar to a CD-R (RW)
Almost no one that sells linux offers a "pressed" CD so you are kind of stuck with a trial and error unless you know the system works fine with burned CD's.
Also if you have a newer machine you might consider getting a package of linux disks that includes a Knoppix or other famous live cd. They can be used on newer machines and not bork the current OS."Best Practices", Event viewer, host file, perfmon, are in my top 10
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Sweet guys thanks a million. I installed a secondary DVD-R drive in the old machine and it has the depression for the business-card type:) I have Puppy Linux on the way and I'm thinking about replacing the old hard drive completely and getting some more memory. I appreciate all your feedback and I'm looking forward to working with Linux:)
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If you can afford to do so, install as much RAM as the computer supports as your first upgrade (additional memory gets you the biggest bang for the buck). The second upgrade should be a larger HD, but use caution because some older systems may have trouble accessing a large drive (even when using lba). Check your system specifications before you spend money.
Finally, a newer computer would be well worth considering. A local shop here in the mid-west (USA) named Computer Discount offers a white-box system (complete computer - no display) which includes motherboard, cpu, 1 GB RAM, hd, cd burner, keyboard, mouse, speaker system (powered) for around $300.00 US. I have not checked their pricing or the system specs recently, but this system is listed in their flier in the parts section, usually on page three or four. Pages one and two contain prepackaged desktops and laptops. I do not work for this company, but I have done business with them for many years and I have found them to be honest and reasonably priced. I hope this has not gone too far off topic (if it has, please forgive), but experience has taught me that it can be less expensive to get a new system than to upgrade an older one under the right circumstances.
HTH,
Ernie Registered Linux User 247790
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Hey, Ernie! I really appreciate that...I was actually wondering about where to find a decent system for a reasonable price (can't beat $300 imho).
If you'd had good experience with these folks before then I'd definitely give them a shot as I think firsthand experience is worth more than what's "popular". If you have had good past dealings here then I will have a look.
I know what you mean. I was looking at revamping this thing and the cost of doing just a few things makes one wonder if it's actually worth the bother:-/
Thanks so much for the link and the info. Blessings to you:)
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