linux distros?

madc0w · Post by **madc0w** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 3:59 pm

whats the best linux distro for an old computer? cause i just got a pretty old computer, seems useable, but natch, no harddrive, meaning no OS. Also, a live cd version would help, because i cant get another harddrive until tomorrow. oh, and its a pentium one, socket type, in case that helps

Kai · Post by **Kai** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 4:01 pm

I think the classic Knopix should work
I myself just downloaded openSUSE 10.0

Post by **marshallh** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 4:01 pm

Puppy Linux!
http://www.goosee.com/puppy/

nos_slived · Post by **nos_slived** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 4:01 pm

DSL and Puppy linux are both small.

Kai · Post by **Kai** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 4:04 pm

I like Knoppix or Unbutu[Unbutu is based on Debian]
http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html

Post by **bicostp** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 4:16 pm

Go with DSL, it's 50 MB, modularly expandable, and can run from RAM if you want it to. I believe it can be run from the HD or even a USB pendrive.

The only problem with it is that it uses FluxBox, which to me seems kind of... for lack of a better word, primitive. But it's still easy to use, and you can install ICEbox onto DSL if you want to.

madc0w · Post by **madc0w** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 4:19 pm

im downloading puppy right now, so ill stick with it.

jellywerker · Post by **jellywerker** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 4:20 pm

fluxbox is actually one of the most advanced wm's out there, you have to get the knack for it though. I would suggest getting the ubuntu or knoppix live cds, or if you are not new to linux, perhaps archie or slax.

madc0w · Post by **madc0w** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 4:21 pm

i already have a slax cd, but i want to use something new!

Post by **Sparkfist** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 5:19 pm

Well to be blunt if its slower then 266MHz and less then 64MB ram you better go with Damn Small or some other minimulist disto. If you have something with more power then that you can use just about any distro that is out there.

If you want to use source then try out Gentoo, or take the plung into LFS. It will be optimized for your system so everything will work its best.

madc0w · Post by **madc0w** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 5:25 pm

oh, it actually has 256+ ram, cause my friends parents up graded it awgilew ago! IM ON THE BLEEDING EDGE!

Post by **bicostp** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 5:43 pm

Then what I'd do is copy the DSL image and all the MyDSL files you want onto the HD, and boot it with the boot option

Code: Select all

dsl fromhd=/dev/hda1 toram

I use a modified DSL boot CD on all the compys at school (mainly because the Windows installs are FUBAR

), andalways run from memory. Even on a P1 200 it FLIES!

I actually used to use a Knoppix boot CD, but since most of the comps at school are state-of-the-fart, (ie P2 350, 16x CDROM, 64MB-128MB RAM) I use DSL. But I have one machine tricked out with 192MB RAM, 56x CD/RW and a P3 500. But I just wind up using DSL on it anyways because it's blindingly fast!

jellywerker · Post by **jellywerker** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 8:46 pm

I used redhat 9 with kde for a year on a p3 450, so it's possible ot run the supposedly blaoted stuff on smaller cpus, I did have 768 ram though...

madc0w · Post by **madc0w** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 8:47 pm

I think im going to use my slax live CD for now cause it works on most computers and i have the most expirience with it (im using it right now!

)

soundwave · Post by **soundwave** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 8:56 pm

I downloaded Knoppix earlier, I have to send it to my sisters laptop, then burn it, then install it to an old 9GB HDD I have.