Linux - SoftwareThis forum is for Software issues.
Having a problem installing a new program? Want to know which application is best for the job? Post your question in this forum.
Notices
Welcome to LinuxQuestions.org, a friendly and active Linux Community.
You are currently viewing LQ as a guest. By joining our community you will have the ability to post topics, receive our newsletter, use the advanced search, subscribe to threads and access many other special features. Registration is quick, simple and absolutely free. Join our community today!
Note that registered members see fewer ads, and ContentLink is completely disabled once you log in.
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us. If you need to reset your password, click here.
Having a problem logging in? Please visit this page to clear all LQ-related cookies.
Get a virtual cloud desktop with the Linux distro that you want in less than five minutes with Shells! With over 10 pre-installed distros to choose from, the worry-free installation life is here! Whether you are a digital nomad or just looking for flexibility, Shells can put your Linux machine on the device that you want to use.
Exclusive for LQ members, get up to 45% off per month. Click here for more info.
I recently got into linux and bought my own version of redhat to install on my old computers. Everything has been going fine until i tried to install on my laptop with only 16 MB of ram. I have been getting errors that iI do not have enough ram, but I read in a book that you can install on as low as a 4mb of ram computer(however you are limited).Do any of you know of a linux os that can install with this small memory and where I could download it or buy it.
sry if this is in the wrong section ,im new at this!
An older version of Red Hat will 6 or 7. Basically the newer version of GNOME and KDE will not run on 16MB of ram. There are plenty of window managers that will such as Fluxbox, Window Maker, icewm, fvwm, etc.
If you want something more up to date Slackware of Debian should work.
Look at various distro websites and see their requirements
4mb is for a bare minimum system. if u install a fat, full-blown distro like RH with X, KDE, GNOME and the kitchen sink, expect as least 64MB. try something like damnsmalllinux (google for url) or build your own from source and strip of uncessary fat.
vector linux could also be a viable solution. run it with a low-fat window manager such as fluxbox or icewm. I have run it on a box with 8mb of ram with a window manager rather than a n all out desktop and it was ok.
Took me a day to remember the name, but I have heard people mention Deli Linux as worth a try.
Also, depending on the size of the hard drive, a console only install would run fine on 16MB RAM. You would have to do more than a default install to do this.
Good Luck.
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing
Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute
content, let us know.
Installing linux on a low ram computer
