Hi!
I'm having fun trying my linux on a good new pc, but i wanted to ask if i can install Linux on an old pc.
I've got a pentium I 166 Mhz with 32 Mb ram, and a 4 giga Hd.
can linux run on it well? (as inb not getting stuck all the time...).
if so, which edition/distribution would do best with such an old pc?
I use RH 8.0, but that's on my new pc, but i have a dsl connection so i can just download an old one if that would be better.
thanks for all your help,
Tzvika

Depends what you want from it really. Any distro should install on it. Just use a lightweight window manager (if you require one) such as Fluxbox. I'd go for a small install of Debian but there are plenty of small distros available.

I just put up Slackware 8.1 on a 486DX2 80 with 24MB Ram.

It works but is slow (partially because I still use the generic kernel). If you decide to go the slackware route then I suggest installing only the basic packages in the setup routine and install the rest you want later on.

The problem in my case - and in your case probably too - is the insufficient RAM. With the "setup-linux" loaded in the ram disk and no swap space during install there is just not enough memory to decompress larger packages in an agreeable amount of time. I waited 3hours for the setup routine to decompress apache before I gave up. After I did as I suggested above it took only about 15-30 minutes. Of course the processor plays a role, too, and yours is way faster than my80MHz 486.

I have Slackware 8.1 on a 32 meg ram, 500 mb harddrive....it takes a loooong time to install the absolute minimum of Linux (as a matter of fact there aren't any progs on it...not enough space )

If you do choose Slackware, make sure you choose the LOWMEM kernel during install, everything will run better.

i have slack on a 166mhz 49mb ram and 1200mb disk and
it works great its my own router..

cheers

erling

You could also try Knoppix. I think it will work with 32 MB RAM. The problem is usually that most of these old machines have small HDDs, and Knoppix requires about 2.5 GB. There is also a Knoppix light GUI version out.

If it works, it is truly one of the easiest ways to get a fully functional system up and running. You won't learn much with the install though, so it all depends on your intentions.

I'm starting to sound like the ambassador for Knoppix!

HTH
Steve

You call that old?
sheesh.

Anyways, if you insist on X, then maybe try something like Vctor Linux. Knoppix sounds like a little overkill for the RAM. If you don't insist on X, then any "decent" distro that allows console-only installation, ie. debian. (BTW, you can use debian for X-version, too)
; )

hmm.. all of these is very intresting, but i don't really know much (I actually barely know anything...) about linux...
what is this

hmm.. all of these is very intresting, but i don't really know much (I actually barely know anything...) about linux...
what is this slackware distribution?
is it as user frienldy and famous as RedHat?
thanks,
Tzvika

slack rocks try it