complete NEWBIE want to put Linux on OLD computer
 

Hello all,

I have an old PC, Pentium 166 MMX, 32 MB of ram, 1.5 GB Hard drive. I would like to put linux on it as the only OS (replacing Win 95).

Where should I start?

I have read some and DeLi looked very favorable. I would have already downloaded it and tried to install but it's FTP site was not responsive and I can not find a mirror.

So, basically, I am looking for all the help I can get, starting with the correct distribution to choose, to how to install from scratch.

The primary use for this computer is for me to have a machine to do some linux play and to type my book while my kids play on the other computer. A browser would be nice because I will eventually buy a router so that I can share my net connection.

Thanks in advance.

Hell, it doesn't matter. LOL! If you're just wanting to tinker around with it, just pick one and go with it. You can always kill it later and put on another one instead if you decide to change up. I hear tales that Mandrake is a good choice for newbies. That or SuSe. Just be sure your hardware is good enough for whatever you're wanting to install.

I agree, and if the computer had more horsepower I would have already made the plunge. Knoppix wanted (unless I was mistaken) 2GB of disk space. Other, widely available, distributions all want more memory or disk space.

I guess my question really boils down to this: what distributions would "fit" on the computer, remembering that I am a newbie. I know that you *CAN* take almost any distribution and modify it so that it could fit on the computer but everywhere I have read implies a greater install knowledge than I have.


Thanks

DSL (Damn Small Linux) is a Knoppix derivative, reduced to fit on a 50Mb ISO for burning to a business-card-sized CD. Being Knoppix derived, it is also Debian derived so I imagine it should be relatively simple to upgrade. I've never tried it myself though. Good luck!