install ubuntu on old compaq Aero

David Griffith · 01-21-2008, 08:57 AM

Can anyone tell me if an old compaq Aero laptop('96 or so and I think its a 4/33c) can handle Ubuntu or some other linux release? It is currently loaded with Win 3.1 in a corporate configuration that I would like to delete. I have a docking station and floppy drive. Machine works fine but batteries are all shot.

ehawk · 01-21-2008, 09:04 AM

Does it have specs like this?
http://www.lonsteins.com/unix/linux/...s_cpqaero.html

Then, no way!

At that point, consider tinylinux
http://tiny.seul.org/en/

What is the maximum RAM this thing can be upped to?

cmnorton · 01-21-2008, 09:04 AM

You'll need to check the hardware minimum requirements for distros. In Ubuntu's case, you'd certainly load XUbuntu, not regular Ubuntu, which requires 512MB RAM minimum. There are also stripped down versions of Ubuntu and other distros for older systems. Cloudbook, a new laptop coming out soon, uses a smaller version based on Ubuntu. Asus' EEE PC uses another small Linux version. Offhand, I don't know the names of these.