What Linux distro to install in a computer with 64 MB RAM and a Pentium processor

nicoyuey · 08-19-2009, 04:32 AM

I have an old computer. I has only 64 MB ram and a processor which i think is pentium or cyrix(cpuid). Which of the distros is compatible with this? Formerly, it had XP but it crashed and I want to revive this computer. I want Linux to be the new OS for this old computer. I want to use this as an offline computer, just for making documents, presentations and other school work. Any help will be appreciated. And kindly suggest links to the OSs suggested.

By the way it has no CD-ROM, but I can borrow a CD-ROM from a friend.

Thanks and Cheers!
Hoping to hear soon from anyone of you...

Nicoyuey

linuxlover.chaitanya · 08-19-2009, 04:48 AM

Well its too low on resources but you could try DSL, Puppy, or something small.
Do some search here you will definitely find some small distribution.

nicoyuey · 08-19-2009, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linuxlover.chaitanya

you could try DSL, Puppy, or something small.

Can i use linux puppy 4.0 on this machine?
i've tried DSL on a virtual machine. However, it had no good word processor or a good presentation software.
Can you give me hints as to what small distros have these software for school work?

Thank you very much!

Nicoyuey

firewiz87 · 08-19-2009, 05:07 AM

Well puppy or DSL is designed to be minimal linux (maximum functionality with minimum size)however, new softwares can always be added, if needed.... but on a system with such low resources its not recommended..... but try n see what works best for you....

This should get you started:
http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Minimal_Linux_distros
http://www.linuxlinks.com/Distributi...Distributions/

linuxlover.chaitanya · 08-19-2009, 08:34 AM

You can add packages that you need once installation is complete with the use of package manager for that specific distribution.
Latest version I guess for Puppy is 4.2 and its only 100MB. Thats actually quite low.
Once you are on it install Abiword. Its a nice word processor. Will use low resources than Open Office.

monsm · 08-19-2009, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicoyuey

Can i use linux puppy 4.0 on this machine?
i've tried DSL on a virtual machine. However, it had no good word processor or a good presentation software.
Can you give me hints as to what small distros have these software for school work?

Thank you very much!

Nicoyuey

The applications are a separate issue and can be installed afterwards. So ones you have the main OS installed (I agree DSL and Pubby are good candidates for this), I would give Abiword a go as a word processor. Its quite small and still support most file formats.

Another issue is graphical environment. I would recomend LXDE. Its lighter then XFCE (not to mention Gnome and KDE) and far as I know quite stable.

Mons
EDIT: bit slow to press submit there. Chaitanya beat me to most of that.

thorkelljarl · 08-19-2009, 09:30 AM

RAM...

64MB of RAM is very little for any linux today. The use value of this old machine and the variety of linux you can install on it increases markedly if you could find and install more RAM.

I would not expect you to spend money; I would expect you to scrounge and hope that you are lucky.

malekmustaq · 08-19-2009, 09:32 AM

nicoyuey,

Quote:

"However, it had no good word processor or a good presentation software.
Can you give me hints as to what small distros have these software for school work?"

---64mb is very tight resources, no one can assure you a straight install with a good word processor. Anyway, I have tried under 128mb where Absolute Linux runs like a lightning but in your case no guaranty. Try this well tailored minimalist Absolute Linux based on Slackware. You can choose not to install any other but a word processor if you can. Try download it here.

Hope this helps.

Good luck and enjoy.

rokytnji · 08-19-2009, 09:52 AM

You might not be able to install Puppy 4 series onto a older Pentium Laptop. If you have trouble with Puppy 4, try any of the Puppy 2.15, 2.17 or Puppy 3.01. I have 2 blog entries on Installing Puppy and Damn Small Linux on a older Pentium 1 Laptop that had Windows 95 on it.

For older releases of Puppy Linux I go to
Here

colorpurple21859 · 08-19-2009, 12:32 PM

puppy 3.01 probably the best option, base install of debian + xorg + light window manger + whatever else you want that's lightweight, will work. slackware 12.1 will work just can't use xfce or kde desktop, have to use a window manger. stay away from ubuntu based light distros. never tried debian with lxde with 64mb so don't know about that but I have used my other suggestions on a pentium III with 64mb of ram

jefro · 08-19-2009, 05:53 PM

You can install many command line OS's and run text based applications.

Might start with basic linux BL3.

See also MenuetOS for a try.

I think they raised the minimum for puppy but DSL will (should) run even a gui with 64 meg.

I used it on a 32 meg system.

Could run it as a terminal also. Boot a Knoppix 5.x cd/dvd and run knoppix terminal server.

If old system boots pxe then it should work. If not get a gpxe floppy.

nicoyuey · 08-28-2009, 11:24 PM

thanks everyone!

I've installed linux puppy 2.16 on my old pc. It works alright but it does not support my OLD printer (Panasonic KX-1124i). I'm a person who is so frugal. Times are hard.

Can you help me set-up this printer for me? Any suggestions?
Please post. I appreciate it a lot. Thanks very much!

btw, the computer is offline, though it has a cd-rom and diskette drive.
Thanks!

-nico