I'm just begining with linux and would like to know the better version to install in the presario m2000. Thanks...

With those specs, few distros will perform better than antiX-12-base

The forum there is excellent, too

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You can appear for this test. On basis of recommendations given by this test, you can find your suitable distro.

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Hi nandagopall.
You didnt mentioned in your post if you had the chance to test different distros in liveCD mode and now you just would like help choosing one.

For what I understan Linux Mint is a good distro to get people going in linux you can download it at this link --------------------> http://www.linuxmint.com/ (Make sure you download a light weight graphical interface)
Ubuntu is also a frindly Linux distribution for new commers -------------> www.ubuntu.com (Again make sure you get a light weight graphical interface)
Finally I think OpenSuse is a easy to use and good all purposes distribution----------> http://www.opensuse.org/en/ (With a light weight graphical interface)

Before installing a Linux Distro test it in liveCD mode first by booting your computer from the CD once you have burn the ISO image in a CD. Make sure everything works in your computer. Graphical interfaces you can choose are LXDE and Xfce.

Good luck to you

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compaq_Presario_M2000

Old but relevant somewhat

http://www.linlap.com/hp-compaq_presario_m2000

http://tuxmobil.org/compaq.html

If 256MB ram model. Mint,Ubuntu,and Open Suse are out of the question IMO for Inexperienced first time Linux user.

+1 for AntiX base if 256MB of ram Model. If 512MB or up. Then what TroN-0074 suggested is a possibility (with a Window Manager or LXDE version)

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I'm assuming that this is the Presario M2000 with 512MB of memory and a Pentium M processor? If so, the suggestion of AntiX is too pessimistic and that of Mint or Ubuntu is too ambitious!

You might like to consider Saline and Salix:
http://www.linuxquestions.org/review...page/15/sort/7
http://www.linuxquestions.org/review...page/15/sort/7

If you've only got 256MB, then AntiX or Swift will be best
http://www.linuxquestions.org/review...page/15/sort/7
http://www.linuxquestions.org/review...p?product=2149

PS
I don't recommend installing a distro with a different user interface to its standard one: the alternatives never get as much testing and are more likely to have bugs. I partitcularly don't recommend Ubuntu, which has endless problems on older computers.

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You may also want to consider adding some memory to your laptop. A 512MB memory module costs around $20 from Crucial Technology and you may be able to find even better prices if you shop around. Definitely take advantage of the memory upgrades while they are available at a reasonable price. After a while the memory modules become scarce and the price goes back up or they are not available at all.

Slackware Linux is a distro that I highly recommend. You may want to use the XFCE desktop rather than KDE since KDE is quite resource hungry.

It can be difficult to get wireless networking, software modems and audio working properly with Linux on a laptop. If you run into problems with those things, there are some tricks that might help. I found it easier to just buy an external USB hardware modem to support dial-up.

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The distro you choose probably has as much to do with you as it does with the computer on which you install it. Try a bunch of distros. They're free, mostly. Quit trying different distros when you've found one you like. Everyone has their favorites, their biases, and their dislikes. And they're all right. A decent short list can be found on the LQ ISO Download site
--- rod.

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