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Linux - Laptop and Netbook Having a problem installing or configuring Linux on your laptop? Need help running Linux on your netbook? This forum is for you. This forum is for any topics relating to Linux and either traditional laptops or netbooks (such as the Asus EEE PC, Everex CloudBook or MSI Wind).

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Old 05-08-2004, 09:27 AM   #1
rustyz82
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Question Best Distro for an old Machine?


I have an old laptop. i want to install linux on. Its cpu is somewhere around 133-166mhz and it has at least 32mb ram for sure.. maybe 64.. maybe 128 lol i don't remember. What would be the best distro to install on this system? The laptops sole purpose will be to run kismet, Ethreal and some snes roms... I think ethreal requires x windows.. but i'm not sure... Any info would be of assistance.
 
Old 05-08-2004, 10:13 AM   #2
RickyJaff
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Man dont' think to run X on it. Better look for Command line and look for some early releases..
 
Old 05-08-2004, 10:21 AM   #3
Jonny_Michaels
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Hi,

I've got an old Toshiba-T1910 running X under GreyCatLinux.

I installed some months ago, just to see if I could. I dont know if it will provide the functionality that you require, and I had to install it off, I think 9 floppies.

http://home.wanadoo.nl/peterdekoning/30/about.htm

They have links to other mini distros too.

Hope this helps

Jon
 
Old 05-08-2004, 10:32 AM   #4
rustyz82
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hmm, ok i'll give that a shot.. provided kismet and ethreal will run on grey cat linux... any other ideas while I am researching that fact? Or is there a version of ethreal that will run under the command line?
 
Old 05-09-2004, 10:38 PM   #5
basics
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Up untill about 6 months ago, I ran Slackware + Blackbox on a laptop with a 166MHZ MMX and 64MB ram. While it was not the fastest system ever, it could handle most things I needed to do with it (web browsing, homework in java, text editing, ect.

I would just recommend staying away from some of the heavier aps, but depending on what you want/need to do, it can prolly work for you.
 
Old 05-10-2004, 12:06 AM   #6
rustyz82
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well i would love to run ethreal as well but i think it requiers xwindows.. and i dont know if i can get x to run very well on a p166 with 144mb ram..
 
Old 05-10-2004, 08:42 AM   #7
specter
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I currently run slackware on my 133Mhz 64Mb laptop. Works great but all Im doing is running command line. I'll have to try out blackbox on it like an above poster did...
 
Old 05-12-2004, 10:47 AM   #8
-Nw- neX
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Quote:
Originally posted by basics
Up untill about 6 months ago, I ran Slackware + Blackbox on a laptop with a 166MHZ MMX and 64MB ram. While it was not the fastest system ever, it could handle most things I needed to do with it (web browsing, homework in java, text editing, ect.

I would just recommend staying away from some of the heavier aps, but depending on what you want/need to do, it can prolly work for you.
pretty much what i have. redhat 8 + blackbox, and now slack 9 + blackbox. its funny tho, i can do more with my little ass-top than one of the guys at the local 2600 meet can with his XP based lap.
 
Old 05-12-2004, 11:05 AM   #9
RickyJaff
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What i feel that Linux GUI are much haviour than M$ GUI.. so i never suggest u to go for that old system otherwise be prepare for having swaping...
 
Old 05-12-2004, 11:12 AM   #10
shadowhunter
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have you tried blackbox???
It binary is only 600k or something?

IT IS FAST! really

but if you run kde or gnome well eh... they look good (I run gnome ) but they are slow.
 
Old 05-12-2004, 10:25 PM   #11
-Nw- neX
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Quote:
Originally posted by shadowhunter
have you tried blackbox???
It binary is only 600k or something?

IT IS FAST! really
its fast. very fast. it loads completely into memory. [ive got a neomagic - not all that powerful] its dead simple to configure. it looks good, and you can develop your own themes [i did]. cant get much better than that.

Last edited by -Nw- neX; 05-12-2004 at 10:30 PM.
 
  


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