LinuxQuestions.org
Share your knowledge at the LQ Wiki.
Home Forums Tutorials Articles Register
Go Back   LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Distributions
User Name
Password
Linux - Distributions This forum is for Distribution specific questions.
Red Hat, Slackware, Debian, Novell, LFS, Mandriva, Ubuntu, Fedora - the list goes on and on... Note: An (*) indicates there is no official participation from that distribution here at LQ.

Notices


Reply
  Search this Thread
Old 10-18-2012, 03:50 PM   #1
linuxnoob67
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Oct 2012
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 25

Rep: Reputation: Disabled
Good lightweight linux distro for relatively old hardware?


Hi all LB67 here,
I have an old desktop. Asus P5RD1-VM motherboard 1gb of Ddr 333 ram. Built in graphics card. Im looking for a good fast distro.
Thanks.
 
Old 10-18-2012, 04:10 PM   #2
snowday
Senior Member
 
Registered: Feb 2009
Posts: 4,667

Rep: Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411
I am partial to Debian myself for older hardware.

Really, however, the applications you choose will have a bigger impact on performance than which Linux distro. For example as I sit here typing this, Firefox is using 400mb of RAM (compared with only about 100mb for the system at idle). This implies to me that optimizing my browsing habits by 10% (or more) would be a better "return on investment" than trying to get 100mb for the core Debian system down to 90mb. Adblock, Flashblock, Noscript, etc. will have a bigger impact on perceived performance than switching distros but continuing to use the same browser with the same settings.
 
Old 10-18-2012, 04:18 PM   #3
linuxnoob67
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Oct 2012
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 25

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: Disabled
I think debian is a fine distro. Might I ask what DE you are using? And hello again.
 
Old 10-18-2012, 04:21 PM   #4
snowday
Senior Member
 
Registered: Feb 2009
Posts: 4,667

Rep: Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411
Hello again. I am using mostly Openbox these days, occasionally Gnome 2.
 
Old 10-18-2012, 04:22 PM   #5
linuxnoob67
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Oct 2012
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 25

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: Disabled
How do you use only a WM.
 
Old 10-18-2012, 04:33 PM   #6
snowday
Senior Member
 
Registered: Feb 2009
Posts: 4,667

Rep: Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411
If I understand your question correctly:

Code:
apt-get install openbox
Then you can choose it from the session options on your login screen.

Be aware that Openbox is just an empty screen, there's not much to see.
 
Old 10-18-2012, 04:45 PM   #7
linuxnoob67
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Oct 2012
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 25

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: Disabled
Sorry still getting used to how to ask questions on forums. Anyway, what machine are you running it in?
 
Old 10-18-2012, 05:02 PM   #8
linuxnoob67
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Oct 2012
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 25

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: Disabled
What's you r opinion of puppy Linux? IT runs great on my over but it's plain but I could download ice wm
 
Old 10-18-2012, 05:08 PM   #9
snowday
Senior Member
 
Registered: Feb 2009
Posts: 4,667

Rep: Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411
I have a bunch of old computers ranging from an old Pentium 4 to an Asus EEE netbook. I've yet to find one Debian won't run on.

I am not a big fan of Puppy, personally.
 
Old 10-18-2012, 05:11 PM   #10
linuxnoob67
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Oct 2012
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 25

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: Disabled
OK. Other than Debian do you like any?
 
Old 10-18-2012, 05:38 PM   #11
snowday
Senior Member
 
Registered: Feb 2009
Posts: 4,667

Rep: Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411Reputation: 1411
Here is a good comparison of the top 10 distros: http://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major
 
Old 10-19-2012, 02:36 AM   #12
wigry
Member
 
Registered: Jul 2004
Distribution: slackware
Posts: 225

Rep: Reputation: 53
Slackware FTW
 
Old 10-19-2012, 06:07 AM   #13
linuxnoob67
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Oct 2012
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 25

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: Disabled
Isn't Slackware hard to install?
 
Old 10-19-2012, 06:13 AM   #14
ashif ahammed
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Oct 2012
Location: kerala
Distribution: linux mint 13 , redhat , ubuntu
Posts: 6

Rep: Reputation: Disabled
hi

in my view arch linux is good one and you can install which packages you want and you can choice which desktop environment like gnome , kde , fluxbox ,e17 etc..
 
Old 10-19-2012, 06:14 AM   #15
brianL
LQ 5k Club
 
Registered: Jan 2006
Location: Oldham, Lancs, England
Distribution: Slackware64 15; SlackwareARM-current (aarch64); Debian 12
Posts: 8,298
Blog Entries: 61

Rep: Reputation: Disabled
Quote:
Originally Posted by linuxnoob67 View Post
Isn't Slackware hard to install?
Not really. See here:
http://docs.slackware.com/slackware:install
 
  


Reply



Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off



Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
What makes a lightweight linux distro lightweight? linuxnoob67 Linux - Distributions 42 10-19-2012 02:40 AM
[SOLVED] Are there any advantages to using a lightweight distro on powerful hardware? alarazr Linux - Newbie 5 10-12-2012 08:48 AM
Is the a good lightweight distro for AoE? bakegoodz Linux - Server 1 11-04-2009 09:15 AM
Looking for a lightweight distro with good GUI and hardware support senzmail Linux - Newbie 5 01-23-2008 09:59 PM
good lightweight (but with KDE) noob distro? e1000 Linux - Distributions 17 11-25-2004 09:50 PM

LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Distributions

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:59 PM.

Main Menu
Advertisement
My LQ
Write for LQ
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute content, let us know.
Main Menu
Syndicate
RSS1  Latest Threads
RSS1  LQ News
Twitter: @linuxquestions
Open Source Consulting | Domain Registration