Hi! I am new to linux, and I installed Linux Mandrake 9.1 on my machine, running KDE. My computer was really slow. Anyhow, here are my specifications, so I was wondering if anyone could tell me which distribution they suggest, with whichever graphic display, thanx!

Laptop:
Compaq Presario 1235

CPU:
AMD K-6/266Mhz

Memory:
32MB Ram

Display:
12.1 inch HPA with a NeoMagic128 suppling 2 Megs of power with 800x600 resolution.

Storage:
4.x Gig harddrive.

Removable Media:
1.44Mbyte Floppy drive & 24x Cdrom

Sound System:
ES 1869 (Claims SoundBlaster compatibility)

Input/Output:
Touchpad with 2 buttons, 88(?) Key Keyboard.

Also, if I do install any distribution, should I upgrade to 96 MB of Ram?

You could use vector linux or peanut linux.
They are meant to be good for slow machines.
Before doing that try using ICE WM

Hi Aeon

As a general point - it is going to be difficult runing any GUI Desktop environment on 32mb RAM - especially KDE - also - the processor doesn't help.

As Davholla mentioned you could always try a lighter Window Manager under Mandrake.

You could always try Damm Small Linux or some other lighter distro. One place to look at the various Linux distros is Distro watch

The link is in my signature at the bottom.

And yes - get some more RAM.

Thanks for your response and input. After checking out all the distributions I am still a tad confused. Which low system resolution do you personally recommend? Thank you.

A good basic resolution that doesnt use as much memory would be

640*480 - - 8/16 bit

Ok, I have just a couple of more questions:

1) Assuming I upgrade my PC by 64 RAm (It's about 30 $), ending up with 96 MB of Ram, would I be able to actually run Mandrake with KDE with considerable speed? In short, is it worth it will my system specifications still tear me down?

2) From all the low system req distributions, is there anyone that is recommended, has a graphical install or is basically easy enough to install?

Thanks again for all your help

I doubt you'd be able to run it at "considerable speed" - it might run though at some level.

One of the other guys/girls will reccomend a possible distro soon.

K, thanx

I am running RH 9 on a P2/266 with 128mb ram and a 8mb shared video. It runs slow but now problems to speak of. I am trying not to use Gnome or Kde since that is where the slowdown occurs.

Aeon,

To give you a direct suggestion. Try Vector Linux and use xfce3 (or 4) as your desktop environment. Vector is based off of Slackware but is geared for the x486 to slow PII market. Because it is based on Slack though, you will get a more stable and personally tweakable distro. (note, grab Vector 3.2 not the SOHO version)

XFce3 and XFce4 are designed to provide a full desktop environment for PCs with low resources. XFce4 uses GTK2 whereas version 3 uses GTK1.2. The official 4.0 release is due mid August. They have been working on RC3 now for a little while and it is very stable and usable.

I have this combination on a old P166 and it runs well. I don't know if you would gain much with the memory upgrade. I would suggest trying this and if things run too slow for you then give the upgrade a try. You should have good results with this combo though.

Hope this helps.... Let us know how things work out.

PhilD

I wonder,how many girls are there in this forum......

K, I'll give it a try
Thanx Phil.

The SOHO version is obviously not for me, but should I download version 4.0 or stick with 3.2? Curently, I am downloading 3.2. I'll let you know how it works out.

Thanx again!

Vector Linux looks awesome and all, but I am having a problem. I have installed mandrake linux, but I keep getting asked to partition my drive. What utility, or file should I use in order to wipe clean my hard drive and create a swap partition? Unlike other installers, Vector Linux doesn't actual make the partition and such, it searches for ones that are already there.

if kde is running slow try out blackbox it uses alot less resources than kde and you can make it look how you want