hi
i've got really old pc it's using win 98 but i want to install linux to my pc.but i know nothing about it's hardware
so which version of linux will be suitable for my pc

Need to know the machine specs to give you a good recommendation. My suggestion would be to find a program that will run on 98 to tell you.

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Hm... If you have no experience with linux and don't have the capabilities to use Gentoo then I recommend Dimi small linux.

http://www.dslos.com/

However it has a LOT of issues with wireless so if you have plans on using wireless internet you might have some issues.

I don't believe wireless network cards existed in 1998 though...

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Hi,

Welcome to LQ!

You could use earlier versions of certain distributions on that vintage hardware. Not having the specs makes recommendations rather hard.

Go to DistroWatch but select earlier versions. I'm not sure if the machine BIOS will recognize a bootcd without some work. You could create a boot floppy with sbootmgr (official btmgr site).

Don't expect to use modern desktop environments even if you max the memory. Plus the 1024 cylinder limit may create some issues with your installs for legacy equipment/hardware with a modern distro. The legacy hardware is really going to be the determining factor so you will probably end up using early kernels with a legacy distribution (circa 2000).

Do a Search here on LQ as this will provide a resource to identify which distribution to select from that era. I would select Slackware 10.2 as a good starting point. You may need to roll back to '8.1'. Look at http://ftp.osuosl.org/pub/slackware/.

Good luck and I'm sure it's going to be a learning experience.

1 members found this post helpful.

Good luck and I'm sure it's going to be a learning experience.




just for fun

after this i 'm gonna try another linux version on my pentium 4 pc

I think I'd try slitaz or puppy linux to start.

I can only say what has worked for me (performance in descending order for each category):

1000 MHz PIII with 512MB PC133 RAM {old Dell, Acer (BIOS can present problems, as onebuck notes) desktops}

antiX-M8.5-i686
salix-13.1-lxde basic install
zenwalk-xfce
peppermint

2.4 to 2.6GHz P4 with 512MB PC2100-PC2400 RAM

same as above, with some performance increase
peppermint runs noticeably better

mint-9-lxde "likes" 768MB RAM and up for optimum performance

2.8GHz P4 with 1024MB 333-400MHz (PC2700-3200) RAM

All of the above, plus
sidux-hypnos-xfce (upgraded to liquorix kernel)
salix-13.1.1-xfce
mint-9-xfce

As one can see, I stay away from Gnome and KDE, except for certain applications, like gnome-games or k3b, which I install on the last category machines without problems (once brasero is purged in the case of k3b).

There are more gnu-linux distros one can choose and which will work on the above category PCs, I'm sure (I expect to hear from Arch and DSL fans).

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Hi,

That class would be a lot easier to use. You could max the memory and storage to hopefully use a modern distro with a a light DE. Try XFCE or lighter with any current distro. You may still run into a legacy problem depending on the hardware & distribution. Post the specs on both systems so we can help! No crystal ball here.

I suggest that you look at 'How to Ask Questions the Smart Way' so in the future your queries provide information that will aid us in diagnosis of the problem for proper recommendations or solutions.

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p4 computer:
amd xp+2500
1 gb ram
256 ddr2 graphics
i can't remember exactly know i'n not in home. whatever, do you think if i want to learn linux should i start with p4?

I am a newbie so I grabbed an old machine to try out this thing called Linux.

Yes that is an old cpu, but I am running Ubuntu 10.04 on a p4 1.8GHz with 768 ram. It started with v8.04. All versions installed with no problem (except for 10.04 Studio - which I think is my problem since 9. Studio installs with no problem).

At one time I had dual monitors and an PCI add-in SATA card with no problem. It also has Linux Mint 9 (another Ubuntu derivative) but DSmallLinux and PuppyLinux have run with no issue as well.

I use the machine for web surfing and office (spreadsheet/db/word processing). I have tried video editing but none of the Linux pgms I've tried are as good as the Windows offerings. For simple video editing (titles and a few transitions) performance was not painful.

Simply put Linux appears to execute better on the older cpu than Windows.

Of course performance would be better with more current cpu.

Just do it - I doubt that there will be major hardware issues (wireless cards excepted).

yep,how about wireless card how can i found driver (my wirelles card is inside of the pc)


and anyone who can tell me a basic directory(i mean 1.download this file 2.burn a cd 3.open... ex.)cause i'm newbie as you know.

Hi,

You could use a LiveCD from 'The LiveCD List' which is a very good list to choose from. Download and create the ISO image. Then boot the system, after that you can identify hardware on that P4 based system.

KNOPPIX is one that I would recommend to test drive to identify the system hardware along with the drivers identified.

In order to aid in diagnosis of the system you will need to identify the hardware specifically not generally. Not all wireless is the same (just an example from your query). If we are going to solve any issues you need to start providing information in detail.

I've already suggested that you look at 'How to Ask Questions the Smart Way' so in the future your queries provide information that will aid us in diagnosis of the problem. Believe me this link will help you in order to allow us to respond properly.

Just a few links to aid you to gaining some understanding;

Linux Documentation Project
Rute Tutorial & Exposition
Linux Command Guide
Utimate Linux Newbie Guide
LinuxSelfHelp
Getting Started with Linux
Advanced Bash-Scripting Guide
Linux Home Networking


The above links and others can be found at 'Slackware-Links'. More than just Slackware® links!

This, SIW, could give you the hardware information you need:
http://www.gtopala.com/

thanks for anyone who helped me
i think,
first i should install xubuntu or mint to p4 pc
and for win98 i think slackware could be better because slackware can support my pc.
now i'm dowloading it.thanks again (if there is something wrong please help me