Hi,
I've persuaded a friend to let me install Linux on his secondary laptop - an old, tired Compaq Presario 1260 that has been chugging along on Windows ME.
While my first instinct was to stick with something tried and tested, like Ubuntu 5.10, I wondered if anyone has any recommendations for a really lightweight, fast distro that would make the most of his very low specs.
It would need to be able to run a Netgear WG511 wireless pcmcia card to connect to his wireless broadband modem/router, and also work with his HP printer.
Apart from that his requirements are very simple - to browse the web, do some writing... the usual basics.
Thanks in advance...

Is this 12.1 inch - CD-ROM - CPU: K6-2 - 333 MHz - HDD: 4 GB - 64 MB

I would say vector linux.
You will find dozen of thread on the subject.
look at distrowatch and www.linux-laptop.net
re wireless you can always install ndiswrapper whether the distro
has it included or not

PS: Allegdly Mandrivas work well with laptop, and you do
not need to run kde or gnome: a light weight desktop manager is
available. Consider this as an option as well