Linux for an Old Computer (P-II, 256MB RAM, 10GB HDD)

Kenji Miyamoto · 06-23-2006, 03:14 AM

I've recently acquired an old computer, with a 233 MHz Pentium II, 256 MB of PC-133 RAM, and a 10 GB hard drive. Either the CD-ROM drive or IDE controller is somewhat bad, since CD transfers tend to fail, especially large ones. Knowing this, which Linux distro would be best?

Slackware's install CD gets an error when both trying to run the network setup, and when trying to install packages.
Gentoo's LiveCD only has a problem with its VESA framebuffer, and otherwise has no problems.
Even Knoppix's hardware detection is brought to its knees, as the VooDoo video card is incompatible with the X server, or so it claims.
I really dislike package selection, and only want a minimal required amount of package installs.

tamoneya · 06-23-2006, 06:09 AM

have you tried damn small linux. It is usually run live and is designed for low end systems. however with your faulty cd rom drive you could also install to the harddrive so you dont have to rely on cd drive. either way it works well on low end systems.

FreeDoughnut · 06-23-2006, 09:26 AM

What are you calling old? I successfully installed KDE on a 10+ year old Pentium I with 48mb of ram. I'd call 256 great!
To answer your question, though, I'd go with DSL, just like tamoneya reccomended.

Kenji Miyamoto · 06-23-2006, 03:39 PM

DSL doesn't work; X's screen is glarbled, the mouse doesn't move, even though it's an ExplorerPS/2 mouse, and the keyboard doesn't work. Any other tries?

I'm thinking about Gentoo, since X11R7 has a working VooDoo driver, and I can set the keymap. Plus, I've had far more luck with with the 2.6.16 kernels.

tamoneya · 06-23-2006, 07:50 PM

if you get a chance try vector linux. It is also rather light weight and shouldnt be too hard on your computer

FreeDoughnut · 06-23-2006, 08:10 PM

Gentoo on an old computer is a no-no. It compiles all programs from source, which can take forever on a slow machine. I tried it on 128 megs of RAM and the install took about a week (literally, w/ KDE). Try something light the distros that have been recommended, or maybe Puppy Linux. I also hear Kanotix has excellent hardware detection but don't take my word for it.

Kenji Miyamoto · 06-23-2006, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FreeDoughnut

Gentoo on an old computer is a no-no. It compiles all programs from source, which can take forever on a slow machine. I tried it on 128 megs of RAM and the install took about a week (literally, w/ KDE). Try something light the distros that have been recommended, or maybe Puppy Linux. I also hear Kanotix has excellent hardware detection but don't take my word for it.

I'm planning on compiling everything with the -Os optimization, and am only going to use XFce and X11R7, since the way Gentoo handles it minimizes the amount of compilations.

FreeDoughnut · 06-23-2006, 11:00 PM

Good luck! Hope you can compile efficiently alright. I'm unfamilliar with the -Os option, though. Can you explain it? I guess if you keep it light it'll work great. Tell me how it goes!