what Distros could i run?
 

i have a Dell Dimension v350 that has Pentium II, 13GB hard drive (not sure if that is a lot of space) 128MB for RAM. so far i've only really gotten a few distros to work (most LiveCDs work but i don't want to use a liveCD, i want to install) I've used Debian, Freespire, and those are the only two i've gotten to work well. what else can i get that doesn't have too many extra packages that i don't need, i don't need office anything. oh, and i don't like making too many discs for one thing because if i need more than one i can tell it's too large of a system. any good ideas would be appreciated

How much do you know about Linux? You could go with Slackware. It's a very lightweight distro. Basically, try a whole bunch of 'em and keep the one(s) you like. I ended up with Slack. You could also try linuxfromscratch if you don't know much about Linux and have a whole bunch of time.

Definitely don't suggest going the LFS route till you have some experience under your belt.

Distribution wise, try Ubuntu or Fedora.

As far as number of discs, you could always do a network install.

Good luck.

i couldn't get Ubuntu to run, not eve start up, with that memory, would Fedora work (if there is a netinstall?)

The biggest problem you're going to have with that much RAM is running a GUI like Gnome or KDE. But I've installed Linux on a machine with that little RAM and was able to use it, so you can too.

However, that's no guarantee that you'll get through the installation with ease. You mentioned the processor and RAM, but not the video card or other things, all of which could impede your installation.

When Ubuntu was on there, what do you mean it wouldn't start up? What type of errors were you getting?

well i've used Gnome with Debian, and i believe KDE with Freespire...

I couldn't even get Ubuntu to start up, and that's exactly what i mean, start up. i think it got stuck loading. all i know is that audio/sound is integrated (or something liek that) and video is probably the same. (the left side of my computer is removed, so i can easily look in, and don't worry if that isn't a good thing, i'm just making use of an old computer, i don't need to.)

what, besides debian, can be done netinstall?

Heh, I ran plenty a box with the sides off the case. Keep the dust out with a cleaning every once in a while and you're good to go.

Fedora can be done via net install. The Fedora Live CD also has an "Install to Hard Disk" menu option as well.

anyone have a link to show me how to do a net install of fedora (whatever the most recent one is would be best, i think) this probably is useless but i have a zip drive and also a floppy drive, i know it's probably common, but if there was any way i could make use of them that could be good (not a floppy install.)

For a P-II with 128M memory, I would suggest Damn Small Linux (www.damnsmalllinux.org) or Puppy Linux (www.puppylinux.com). They will both work for sure (I've done what you're trying to do).

Maybe you could get Ubuntu or Red Hat to work, but if you do you're pretty sharp.... these are too big and bloated for a P-II at 128M... focus on "small distros" for success.

Good luck.

I forgot to add-- DSL will run totally in memory at 128M, Puppy requires more. If you can max out your memory (probably for about $20 for a used memory stick online or from a computer show), you greatly increase responsiveness on a P-II because Linuxes like DSL or Puppy will then run entirely from memory.

DSL(3.1) ran great on my old box (a 350k6 w/128mb mem. ran as Live only) used Fluxbox natively plus has JWM as well if you want it. uses a 2.4.something kernel if that matters to you. After install it's said to become basically "Debian" (never did it yet), tried Puppy awhile back (more than a year) and don't really remember it much ,sorry. the newer Puppy looks nice from what I can tell, I do remember it was a little more user friendly than DSL with more options for customizing it. It seems that in DSL if your scroll wheel mouse works , then lucky you, it worked in 3.1 but didn't work in 3.4 when I tried it (it's those little things that p*ss me off) with no settings for your mouse available from the desktop. DSL-N seems to be dead in the water http://damnsmalllinux.org/cgi-bin/fo...T;f=37;t=18802 have used 0.1rc4 and it looked ok but needed some work still, had a 2.6 kernel and Seamonkey instead of Firefox. DSL is up to 4.0rc1.
Download both and use them as Live to see which looks/suits your needs best. Neither needs more than 128mb memory.

from the Puppy site

Advantages of Puppy Linux:

* Extremely friendly, familiar and fun for those new to Linux
* Puppy 'just works' with less hassle
* Puppy boots up and runs fast in RAM memory, freeing any CD boot drive
* Puppy will boot from a minimum PC with 586Mhz CPU and 32Mb RAM
* Booting from a CD/ROM takes under 30 seconds
* Puppy will easily install to USB, Zip or hard drive media
* Puppy can run your operating system, programs and store your data on the same CD-RW
* Puppy comes with all the applications needed for daily use
* Puppy minimises USB writes to extend boot Flash devices life indefinitely
* Puppy contains extensive help files for ALL its programs
* Puppy boots right into the desktop without user passwords
* Puppy has lots of different versions
HTH

>> "Maybe you could get Ubuntu or Red Hat to work, but if you do you're pretty sharp.... these are too big and bloated for a P-II at 128M... focus on "small distros" for success."

not neccessary ... if you ran ubuntu and redhat on a p2 with 128mb of ram ... you still can run them well in icewm and blackbox ... but you have to be patient with things like oo and firefox , or you can increase the ram if thats possible ... this will force you into a habit of looking for another way of running things with whatever things you are holding ...

infact if you are serious in running linux with that kind of machine for desktop use i believe you can do that with any distro that you mentioned ... not only ubuntu or redhat ...


//mine currently are on a p3 with 512 ram ...


.

I think you're on the right track with Debian. I hate RPM based distros(Redhat), but if I were goin to use one, it would be Fedora. I am a big fan of almost anything Debian. If you really want to test your patience, Slackware would probably scream on that machine. I'd have my head kicked in by a rhino before I used anything that ended in *Spire

*I* would run either Debian Etch XFCE, or Xubuntu. As for your booting problems with Ubuntu, its not uncommon to have trouble with Ubuntu's live CDs, so just download the text based "Alternate Install CD", and it will generally get you past any problems and get the OS installed. FWIW though, you don't have enough RAM to run the Live CD, so its not surprising you're having that issue... Read the install options on the link below, and pay attention to the system requirements.

http://ubuntu-releases.cs.umn.edu/7.04/

Both Debian Etch XFCE and Xubuntu use the Xfce environment, which will help with your ram limitations. A friend of mine is pretty high on Sidux linux. I'm not familiar with it, but it is apparently based on Debian. I'm not even sure what version its based on. If you've got the live Install of Debian, you should be able to install from that CD if you wish....

http://www.xubuntu.org
http://www.debian.org

Good luck

IGF

Sidux is based on Debian Sid (unstable)
Stefans departure from Kanotix is why Kanotix is basically stalled at this time( ya gotta follow your beliefs ). I've thought about it (Sidux) but so far thats about it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidux

Distros for older Hardware:

Vector Linux
http://www.vectorlinux.com/

DSL
http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/

Puppy Linux
http://www.puppylinux.org/user/viewpage.php?page_id=3

Slackware
http://www.slackware.com/

BeaFanatIX
http://bea.cabarel.com/

Elive:
http://www.elivecd.org/

Luit Linux
http://luitlinux.sarovar.org/

you can find more here

http://www.linuxlinks.com/Distributi...Distributions/
http://www.linuxlinks.com/Distributions/Floppy/