[SOLVED] What do I need to know to choose a Linux distribution?

gray53 · 07-21-2009, 02:52 PM

Here's what I know already; is this enough?
1. RAM -- 64MB
2. hard drive -- about 18GB
3. I want to erase the hard drive (currently has Windows 98) before installing.
4. Computer will boot from a live cd (tested this w/ Ubuntu cd)

I've heard about stuff like i386 and i686 and the processor speed in megahertz in Linux discussions. Do I need this information? How do I find it in Windows?

John VV · 07-21-2009, 02:58 PM

did this computer have win 95 on it ?

64 meg of ram will NOT run much of anything
for example Firefox 3 is using 40 meg as i write

about the only thing that might work on such a old/non-existent resources would be
"Damn Small Linux " http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/

gray53 · 07-21-2009, 03:03 PM

I've heard of DSL. I was also considering Puppy Linux.

linus72 · 07-21-2009, 03:07 PM

Puppy needs 128mb usually

a DSL HD debian install will run pretty fast(reasonably)

a DSL frugal install will run slower than full install

problems:
DSL is not made to install to hd

you can do it, but when you try to do
"apt-get upgrade" or similar you will break the x-window sysytem.

your only realistic choice is to get more ram, at least 160mb or more
ram is cheap these days too

gray53 · 07-21-2009, 03:47 PM

Can one stick of RAM be used on any computer, or are there different types of RAM? Also, how do you find out the maximum amount the computer will support? Thanks.

Update: according to crucial.com, my PC's limit is 384MB of SDRAM PC133

mk27 · 07-21-2009, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gray53

Can one stick of RAM be used on any computer, or are there different types of RAM? Also, how do you find out the maximum amount the computer will support? Thanks.

Let me google that for you. <- click here

BTW: If your motive for doing this is simply that linux is free, you might be making a *HUGE* mistake...

nuwen52 · 07-21-2009, 04:06 PM

Ram has generations just as processors do. DDR, DDR2, etc. And, the various types will have a different number of pins. You need to know what kind of ram your machine takes in order to know what you need for an upgrade.

As far as linux distros, check out Distrowatch search page and under category, choose Old Computers. From there, you should be able to check out what the requirements are for each distro.

jeromeNP7 · 07-21-2009, 04:25 PM

You will be able to install most major distributions, but given your limited hardware resources you should stick with a core base install, maybe even omitting a graphical X-Windows interface completely. Slackware has a good reputation for running robustly on old hardware. If you want X-Windows, then remember to install and use fluxbox, xfce or WindowMaker as the window manager - Gnome and KDE will be unbearably slow. For web surfing use dillo instead of Firefox for common webpages.

Linux

hoodooman · 07-21-2009, 04:56 PM

You could try this

http://www.delilinux.de/

According to the info on the home page Deli will run with 64mb of ram and uses lightweight alternative applications.It boots into a graphical desktop environment too!

linus72 · 07-21-2009, 05:20 PM

you might also try austrumi
and cdlinux

older versions of austrumi will probably run on 64mb
don't know about newer versions

onebuck · 07-21-2009, 06:13 PM

Hi,

To answer the OP. I would suggest that the next two links be read;

gray53 · 07-22-2009, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mk27

Let me google that for you. <- click here

BTW: If your motive for doing this is simply that linux is free, you might be making a *HUGE* mistake...

Not helping, mk27. OK, my questions are answered for now.