LinuxQuestions.org - Need Distro options

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Need Distro options

I hav an aincent Packard bell desktop i think running a Pentium MMX
30 gig HD\ unknown RAM 32 maybe 64\2 usb.
My stepdad is considering Vector, i think Ubuntu.
any ideas?:banana:

If it's got 2 usb ports then it can't be "ancient" :)

With that amount of RAM you're pretty much forced to choose from a lighter desktop; Ubuntu comes with Gnome which might not work too well with less than 64MB (or even that), so if you like Ubuntu, try Xubuntu which is basically the same thing but with XFCE as it's desktop - it's a little lighter than Gnome, so it might work better. Vector comes with..umm..was it Fluxbox? Or what? Well, it should come with a light desktop I think so it's a good choice too. Ubuntu just might have better package reposities (just a guess) so installing additional software might be easier; though, if Vector has evolved a lot since I last checked it out, I might be wrong here too.

Anyway with that amount of RAM, especially if you're not going to buy more, you should get a light desktop to stay sane. Almost every distribution comes with a binary package of some kind for a lighter desktop alternative in addition to the default one, but it's always easier if the preferred one is installed by default.

I just installed DSL (Damn Small Linux) on a box with a 386 and 16 meg ram... works wonderfully...

Well, I know I have som older sticks in a bag somewhere...,so I don't want Damn Small Linux unless it doesn't have just a command line like DOS, and I think ubuntu and maybe mandrake because they say they're n00b freindly :) but if xubuntu is the same with less demanding stuff, that would be good too.

test both vector and ubuntu with a dual boot. use the one you like.

I tried vector on an older system and didn't like it too much. I have, however, had good experience with Xubuntu on a system similar to yours. Xubuntu is also much more noob friendly. Vector is Slack based. I also use Minislack, a former version of Zenwalk, on a system like yours, but it is certainly not as noob friendly as Xubuntu.

Moved: This thread is more suitable in Linux-Distributions and has been moved accordingly to help your thread/question get the exposure it deserves.

Mod note: more of a "which distro" question than a hardware question

Mandrake is another n00b friendly (so i've heard)option but reqirements are unknown. ill look around for more distros.

Just FYI, I should have mentioned that LQ has an excellent Linux download page, check out LQ ISO

More generally, you might want to try several distros to see which one best fits your needs and preferences.

Welcome to LQ!

If you have broadband internet, do a netinst of Debian, which will give you a bare minimum installation. Once you have that, then you can install only stuff that you need.

Add a window manager like flubox, windowmaker or IceWin and you willl have a pretty usable system.