Installing Linux on a 233 Mhz desktop with a 6 GB HD and a 4 GB HD.

mellowmilan@verizon.net · 03-18-2011, 02:50 PM

I have an older desktop with 233 Megahertz processor and one main hard drive 6 GB and a second internal hard drive 4 GB, with only 64 megabytes of RAM. I have installed Windows XP Professional on the main drive. It runs but too slow. I want to wipe/delete the partition and format the hard drive(s) and install a light version of Linux. The computer will be used only for internet and email and light word processing. Can anyone help me?

jcalzare · 03-18-2011, 02:52 PM

What is your question? You just told us a long story about how you want to install linux, but no real question. Download an iso, burn it, boot it. The installer will let you wipe the drive if that's what you want to do.

jefro · 03-18-2011, 03:21 PM

You are at the limit of a gui based linux distro. You need more ram.

mellowmilan@verizon.net · 03-18-2011, 03:23 PM

My question is which would be the best "light" version of Linux to download, burn the iso to cd and install. I tried Ubuntu but it seems to be just as much a resource hog as Windows XP on this particular desktop. Thanks for the response. MM

rokytnji · 03-18-2011, 03:30 PM

Tiny Core

Minimum Requirements

Screenshots

Install

ButterflyMelissa · 03-18-2011, 06:59 PM

ouch....rokytnji's options are al that's left here...and...

Quote:

You are at the limit of a gui based linux distro. You need more ram

MAY be an option...if the required type of ram can still be found...
The CPU and hard drive, check, but you NEED 192Mb if you want to run something more than tinycore...
(downloading an ISO to try THAT one out, tnx rokytnji!)

jefro · 03-18-2011, 07:25 PM

Tinycore, puppy, and slitaz are some good choices but you really are at a limit.

Could try MeneutOS or it's fork of assembly. I have tested them down to 24 meg.

DCOH · 03-18-2011, 09:30 PM

You could also try Damn Small Linux.

rokytnji · 03-18-2011, 10:09 PM

More Tiny Core Users screenshots

http://linuxoutlaws.com/files/monomaxos.png

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GBH0N3o8_Y...Screenshot.png

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JfHdX3yJy3...E/s1600/78.jpg

The only reason I suggested Tiny Core instead of Damn Small Linux or Damn Small Linux N which I have installed in the past and ran (in my blog posts) is because packages are old and development has stopped for both. Tiny Core is currently in development by one of the former members of Damn Small Linux development team and their packages and kernel are more current than Damn Small Linux (which will install and run also on your 64mb ram desktop).

Quote:

Current status of the project

Due to infighting among the project's originators and main developers, DSL development seems to be at a standstill, and the future of the project is uncertain

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damn_Small_Linux

last release date of dsl-n was 4.4.1

2008

17 June

2008

mellowmilan@verizon.net · 03-19-2011, 12:12 AM

I will have plenty to ponder and try from all these suggestions. I can upgrade the RAM to 128 on this computer but was trying to avoid having to pay the $50 bucks per 32 mb that Crucial wants for them. I will first try your suggestions. Thanks. MM

rizzy · 03-19-2011, 03:07 AM

$50?
You'll find it on ebay for under a tenner. It it PC66 or PC100 type used?

ButterflyMelissa · 03-19-2011, 03:34 AM

Quote:

I will have plenty to ponder and try from all these suggestions. I can upgrade the RAM to 128 on this computer but was trying to avoid having to pay the $50 bucks per 32 mb that Crucial wants for them. I will first try your suggestions. Thanks. MM

WHAT?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Triple that gets me a second-hander with guarantee. The one I use NOW is something like that, set me 150 back...
I'd go with rizzy's suggestion and look at Ebay...

EDDY1 · 03-19-2011, 03:44 AM

Are you talking about 128 Meach or 2-64M because I have a few 64's that I'll send for free if it doesn't cost that much to send.

Does this mean you have 4 slots and can only put 32 in each slot?

Quote:

I will have plenty to ponder and try from all these suggestions. I can upgrade the RAM to 128 on this computer but was trying to avoid having to pay the $50 bucks per 32 mb that Crucial wants for them. I will first try your suggestions. Thanks. MM

colorpurple21859 · 03-19-2011, 05:43 AM

I think puppy now needs 128m minimum to work, will have to use older version, possibly 3.01 and do a full hard drive install, with only 64m of ram.

rizzy · 03-19-2011, 05:56 AM

there is always FreeBSD that would run on OP's system:
http://www.freebsd.org/doc/en_US.ISO...-hardware.html