Which Linux distro to use for a low-RAM computer?

lostpenguin · 05-02-2004, 04:07 PM

Hello ...

I have an eMachines laptop (eSlate 400k) with a 3-Gig hard drive and 32 MB RAM ... Is it possible to put Linux on this machine: a Linux with a GUI ? ...

I tried installing Red Hat 6.0, but -- with the little that I know about Linux -- I couldn't get it to work. Someone has suggested that Mandrake would be a good choice for a beginner.

Thanks ... Mike from Ithaca

ssimontis · 05-02-2004, 04:11 PM

Go to http://www.linux.org and use the distro search. one of the choices is minimalist, which is a basic Linux distro. These range from Linux distros that fit on a floppy to decent distros. I am trying to get Peanut Linux to work, but it freezes on my really old Compaq laptop. With 32MB of RAM, you should be okay. Minimalist flavors are the way to go here.

sh1ft · 05-02-2004, 04:12 PM

I doubt you could run any 'beginner' distros because they use up a heck of a lot of ram with all the gui tools and services and huge kernels they run. The only thing I could see working on that computer is something like slackware running fluxbox. And I hate to say it, but that would be a very hard combination to run.

vectordrake · 05-02-2004, 04:29 PM

Debian or Slackware running any windowmanager besides the big environments like Gnome, KDE, or (on a 32mb machine) Enlightenment will produce acceptable results. You can compare the performance to putting Windows 98 on that machine. It'll be a bit sluggish, but the job will get done. Does it have more slots for RAM? If its old enough to be using that 72 pin stuff, ask at a local computer shop if they have any. My friend who owns one gives that stuff away these days.

coindood · 05-02-2004, 05:21 PM

Try Damn Small Linux. It uses fluxbox and is made for size and speed. It has everything you need for browsing, work, and everything else. It is a knoppix based distro, so it is just an offspring of Debian, and it has an harddrive install option if you like it (it is a cd based distro).

aaket504 · 05-02-2004, 05:46 PM

Go to linuxiso.org and download vectorlinux 3.2 regular not soho they also have a live cd to test it out it works on my 166 with 48mb of ram

mbegovic · 05-02-2004, 06:08 PM

The default Slackware 9.1 installation with Fluxbox works really well for me on 64MB of PC100 SDRAM. There is no lag at all.

vectordrake · 05-02-2004, 06:19 PM

DSL will be the easiest to get running, but the vesa framebuffer runs at 60hz max. You'll bug your eyes out if you need to be at yoru machine a lot. Try what its based on, Debian, with a real x server, or go with a Slack or one of its offspring. You'll have the best luck with those choices (BTW, FYI, Vector is Slack underneath. Notice my LQ name.....)