I need to find a distro that can run on older P4 machines but does not require an Internet connection to install but yet has networking tools and some simple games that can be played multiplayer over the local network.

This is for a computer lab setup where there are about 20 older machines that kids will be learning how to network and playing multiplayer games. The machines are all hooked up to a local switch so they are accessible to each other but there is no Internet connection available to them.

I've tried Ubuntu on the machines but a lot of them won't install it or run much too slow with it.. and then it needs an Internet connection to install any simple network games.

I could try remastering Knoppix and just putting all the software that I want on the CD (as well as lightweight desktop by default) but that seems like a lot of work and there probably is something out there that already accomplishes what I want.

Suggestions?

you can use vector linux or lubuntu or xubuntu

or make your custom iso ...many distros offer web based tools

Debian DVD edition with carefully selected software?

Apart from open suse, nimblex I know at least one other lesser known distro that allows users to create their own spin through a web interface .

http://www.linuxjournal.com/content/...an-live-studio

Thanks for the suggestions... I'm trying out building a CD ISO using opensuse studio (with minimal XFCE, a few networked games and network tools) right now.

P4 is older... I still run P3 without issues. Looking at the requirements you have I would say debian (works for me on P3 with xfce4 window manager). The networking tools are gui so not a big hassale. Then again there are plenty of games available with debian repositories. In case of some winduhs games there is always wine but I believe debian games are good enough.
My 2�0„4s.

Hi mvidberg

You may also wish to consider puppy linux or DSL damn small linux.

Slackware.

The full install is included on the three-ISO set of installation CDs (four discs if you count "Extras"). Numbers five and six are source code.

No internet connection is needed to get a complete installation.

A live network connection to your switch would ensure that networking is properly installed.

I agree with you
I think a DVD is better than a set of CD

If none of the above the resources listed above are what you are seeking for you might want to look at arch bang and maintaining a local repository on the master computer in the computer lab. Internet connection is not required for all of them this way and you can update them all at once from the main computer.

This is not precisely what you said you are looking for, but arch linux (the basis of arch bang) allows you to maintain a local repository of what you need and install only what you need, thereby allowing you to set up the exact system that you need or want.

There are many other alternatives out there that will allow you to do the same However, if you are looking for one that will allow you to install programs and run perfectly fine on an older pentium 4, say less than 280 MHz, arch linux with JWM works wonders and there are plenty of games to install. JWM is not the only option for you on an older pentium 4 either, with some light modifications one can get gnome and kde to run without too many complications, but they are system intensive.

Wow, I feel old! I run debian on my pentium 4. Ubuntu, or Xubuntu stick out in my mind. You could probably run reuglar Ubuntu pretty well on those.

I have used Puppy 4.2.1 and a couple of the puplets (user modified versions). Puppy works great on slower system. I used it on my PIII 433 with 288meg RAM. I have just install Slackware 13.1 on this system and it is running fine. I haven't tried any games with it yet. You may be able to find a puplet that already has what you are included. If not you should be able to find one that is close and modify it where you have internet access and remaster the CD to your needs and take it with you. I have one puplet called Growler that has some games included. There are several places you can download puplets. I hope this helps. I have really been enjoying learning Linux and Puppy was a great introduction. Here is just a couple.
http://puppylinux.org/main/Puplet%20...20features.htm
http://puppylinuxnews.org/puplets/