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Old 01-18-2004, 07:26 AM   #1
Xshare
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Tiny Linux Distros for a 133Mhz Laptop


I have a 133Mhz Laptop (currently running windows 95), which I use as a communications center. I use it to run AIM, MSN, ICQ, YIM, and Outlook Express (Or any email client), as well as maybe 2 Internet windows. I was thinking that maybe if I installed one of the small Linux Distros, it would run alot better, as well as give me some experience with linux. (I am a total linux noob, this will be my first experience). I tried running DamnSmallLinux from CD, it's ok, but I'm wondering if there are any others out there that might be better.

Laptop Specs:
133Mhz
1.8Gb HD
64MB Ram
CD Drive
Max Resolution 600x480 (This was giving me problems earlier with the DamnSmallLinux, but I got it fixed)

So any ideas?
 
Old 01-18-2004, 07:49 AM   #2
MartinN
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Hi Xshare and welcome to LinuxQuestions!

This will not be an easy ride. It's my experience that the lower the specs of your machine, the more challenge you will have. So I hope that you're not a complete newbie.

That said, VectorLinux could be one of your alternatives:
http://www.vectorlinux.com/
I run Vector 4.0 on a Pentium 166 myself. No problems actually, it's quite responsive. The only thing is that it's not that easy to setup and maintain.

Another (even lighter) alternative is DeLi Linux:
http://delilinux.berlios.de/
Haven't tried it myself, but they claim that it will run on a 486 with 16MB RAM!

The third, boring, alternative is of course to keep Windows 95.

Good luck, whatever you choose!
Martin
 
Old 01-18-2004, 07:56 AM   #3
Xshare
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How hard is it to set up and maintain? Do I have any chance, or should I just give up and move on to something else? (vector linux, I dont like the second one). From the instructions, it doesnt seem too hard.

Last edited by Xshare; 01-18-2004 at 07:59 AM.
 
Old 01-18-2004, 08:55 AM   #4
MartinN
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How hard? Ehhh... Compared to what? It's (in my opinion) more difficult than setting up a standard RedHat machine. You will need to edit configuration files by hand, since there aren't graphical tools for everything. In short, VectorLinux is not very suitable as your first Linux experience.

It's not my intention to scare you away, but I don't want to give you a false picture of VectorLinux either. Maybe someone else has a different opinion.

On the other hand -- if you choose to install VectorLinux, we can always try to help you reach a good configuration. Once it's there, you will not be disappointed.

Regards
Martin
 
Old 01-18-2004, 09:07 AM   #5
Xshare
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So then is there nothing else suitable for a first-time linux user that will run on a 166Mhz (made a typo up there) laptop? I might just use DamnSmallLinux, but I dunno, theres something about it that I dont like.

EDIT> ok, after some searching, looks like vector will work fine for me, but as you said, it might be hard to install... but I mean, worst case scenario, I re-install win95... it's a friggen 166Mhz computer, so no big loss.

Last edited by Xshare; 01-18-2004 at 09:19 AM.
 
Old 01-18-2004, 09:39 AM   #6
Megamieuwsel
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Just go with Vector ; It's really not that hard to install.
But with those specs , I'm not sure if the 4.0-version will be your thing.

Make sure to visit our forums as well : Tons of Vec-specific help and info.
http://www.vectorlinux.com/forum/

And may I strongly advice against keeping Win95?

Last edited by Megamieuwsel; 01-18-2004 at 09:41 AM.
 
Old 01-18-2004, 09:40 AM   #7
Xshare
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I'll only re-install it if I have too many problems with Linux... I'll go with vector after I clean off all my important docs, and reformat.
 
Old 01-18-2004, 04:51 PM   #8
sharper
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I think the RAM and possibly the HD are going to be more of a problem than the processor. I'm running slack 9.0 on a 166MHZ, but with 256 MB of RAM. Except for both Star Office and Open Office being slow it runs fine. I also had Slack 8.0 installed on an old PII 133 MHZ with 82 MB RAM and 1.8 GB HD. But with the smaller machine X windows was pretty much out of the question.
 
Old 01-18-2004, 04:59 PM   #9
Xshare
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That's why I'm going for a slimmed version of Slackware. I'll update yall if it works. Now I'm a bit confused as to how I start.. I'll figure it out eventually.
 
Old 01-18-2004, 05:54 PM   #10
vincebs
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I managed to get RedHat 9 on a P133, but it is as slow as hell. But I think the main problem comes from it having only 32MB of RAM. It seems like the hard disk is also churning, therefore probably overusing the swap space. So if you add RAM, the slowness will probably be bearable.
 
Old 01-18-2004, 06:43 PM   #11
Xshare
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Well, I don't really wanna run bloatware. I want it to be able to run gAIM and Mozilla. That's it. That is absolutely the only thing I need it to do. Maybe be able to play an Mp3 or two. Right now on Win95 it can do all that, but with a degree of slowness. I still can chat on AIM fine, and check emails fine, so I see no reason to change if I'd be moving to even slower.

Someone suggested phlak... but I dunno. I'd install vector but I'm a bit intimidated. Is there anything I can do during installation or anythign that will just kill the computer and not let me ever use it again?

Last edited by Xshare; 01-18-2004 at 06:55 PM.
 
Old 01-18-2004, 08:00 PM   #12
Nukem
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Vector is a good choice. As long as you configure everything and get it running. Few weeks ago I tried Vector and got everything up and running, except GUI. I tried a lot of things and then realised that I'm going to have to edit the configuration files with "vi". Which is not a very fun thing to do. I personaly don't like vi cauz it seems so complicated. By the time I configure vector and get it running, I'll be able to try 10 new distros and at least get one of them running on my old computer. My system is almost same as yours except 166MHz, 64MB ram and 10GB HD. Currently my 6 year old brother use it for playing DOOM 2 with a win98 boot diskette
 
Old 01-18-2004, 08:15 PM   #13
Xshare
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Well.. this is my first ever experience with Linux, so all this seems too complicated for me... I dunno if I should go ahead with it, and if It'll work. If someone wants to coach me through it on AIM (I have a PC within 5 inches of the laptop (my main PC)), lemme know.
 
Old 01-18-2004, 08:54 PM   #14
2damncommon
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Quote:
Is there anything I can do during installation or anythign that will just kill the computer and not let me ever use it again?
No. The worst that can happen is the install will fail.
You will want to have all personal files backed up. You will be reformatting your hard drive.
(Or maybe not. How much drive space is your Windows install taking up? That size disk is perfectly able to dual boot Windows 95 and Vector Linux.)
There is a Vector Linux forum on this bulletin board.
If you are realistic and can stand to have the laptop down for a few hours to a week, depending on how things go, you should be able to do it.
 
Old 01-18-2004, 09:01 PM   #15
Xshare
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I am reformatting. Here goes nothing.
 
  


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