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Old 03-15-2009, 04:34 PM   #1
MiKANiSe
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Lightbulb The best linux distribution for an old laptop?


Hey... I know this is a common question, but I just can't find a proper distro that would work on my old Laptop. Puppy linux works, but I just don't like it. Ubuntu/Debian seems to be too much (it was meant for running windows 2000, and I think that's the most it could do). Ah... and the specs would be:
CPU: Pentium III (600mhz)
RAM: 64MB (8MB V-RAM)
HDD: 6GB... and I don't know the RPMs, but it's kinda old.

Could anyone help me? Thanks in advance!
 
Old 03-15-2009, 04:37 PM   #2
repo
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http://www.desktoplinux.com/articles/AT6185716632.html
 
Old 03-15-2009, 06:00 PM   #3
colorpurple21859
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DSL, slack12.1 if you select the fluxbox window manager don"t use kde or xfce. a debian will work if you do a base install then add xorg-xserver and fluxbox window manager
 
Old 03-15-2009, 06:09 PM   #4
linus72
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I did a Debian Lenny Net-install. Uncheck "Desktop", "Laptop", "base", and anything else checked. After install, reboot, and "aptitude install LXDE xserver-xorg-core xserver-xorg xorg synaptic".
If you want a really low-ram window manager "aptitude install icewm icemc icewm-themes".
Or you could go with fluxbox.
Either way you'll end up with a base system that is low-ram and about 1.3-1.5GB of HD space used.
Just use synaptic to get whatever else you need.
Slackware 12.2 with Fluxbox/Blackbox would be lowram too.
Other very good and easy distro's include GoblinX-2.7-Micro(fluxbox), Wolvix-Cub-1.1.0(fluxbox-nice-lowest ram usage on my 160MB ram toshiba-idle=22MB used).
There's also Absolute 12.2 with Ice Window Manager-based on Slackware 12.2, also low-ram.

Last edited by linus72; 03-15-2009 at 07:08 PM.
 
Old 03-15-2009, 11:57 PM   #5
manwithaplan
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I had a similar setup.. though a desktop, I used Vector. It uses xfce desktop and it was quick enough for web, editing and basic features.
 
Old 03-16-2009, 02:33 AM   #6
tommcd
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Try Slitaz. It is only a <30mb iso, and is very light.
http://www.slitaz.org/en/
http://linux.com/feature/140573
EDIT: The reocommended RAM is 128mb for Slitaz. It may work on your laptop though.

Last edited by tommcd; 03-16-2009 at 02:35 AM.
 
Old 03-16-2009, 03:39 AM   #7
salasi
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MiKANiSe View Post
was meant for running windows 2000, and I think that's the most it could do...RAM: 64MB
I would have expected that to struggle with Win 2000 with only 64 M of ram. Whatever you choose to do, bear in mind that you will have a more pleasant experience if you can increase the amount of RAM.
 
  


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