Linux for the extremely weak computer.

[H4T]

I've just today been given a really funny thing; a super retro, and super weak, laptop computer. My idea is to only use it to script and learn a little bit of Linux.

The laptop has about 121MB of space, 4.0 MB of RAM, and a 33Mhz processor. Its actually currently running Win95 without dying or anything, so I was thinking of putting a light Linux distro on there. Maybe **** Small Linux, but I dunno.

Any suggestions?

[grinch]

talk to njs, he's the linux wiz!

But from my understanding, it depends what kind of os ur running? I think RH would run ok, but I'm not sure. Except for the 33mhz proccessor... ouch

[teet]

If you actually want a functioning laptop, I would suggest leaving windows 95 on it. At least you can use it for typing...

I'm afraid that trying to put linux on a machine that old would be a major hassle. Linux is very easy to install on newer machines (like those made in the last 5 or 6 years) but I don't think you'll have much luck on a machine that old.

With only 121mb hdd, you won't be able to do very much with windows or linux, but at least you know windows will work. So in this situation, I would advise you to stick with windows :)

-teet

[TheOneAndOnly]

you can install linux on even a 486, the problem is you cant install the GUI

[dreeft]

If you actually want a functioning laptop, I would suggest leaving windows 95 on it. At least you can use it for typing...

I'm afraid that trying to put linux on a machine that old would be a major hassle. Linux is very easy to install on newer machines (like those made in the last 5 or 6 years) but I don't think you'll have much luck on a machine that old.

With only 121mb hdd, you won't be able to do very much with windows or linux, but at least you know windows will work. So in this situation, I would advise you to stick with windows :)

-teet

Do you even know what you're talking about? That makes absolutely no sense. Linux will run on anything. If windows runs on it - it'll run Linux, no problems. a GUI is another issue all together.

[H4T]

Yeah I may stick with Win95, but the thing is, I've been using Win my whole computing life, and I'd like to try something different (without completely changing my main system). I figured it would be a fun little thing to have Linux on a laptop, but if its too much for nothing then I guess not. Remember I don't need to do anything with this laptop, though word processing (coding) would be good. Notepad runs well right now, so I'm assuming some other text pad in some other os would run as well.

[teet]

Do you even know what you're talking about? That makes absolutely no sense. Linux will run on anything. If windows runs on it - it'll run Linux, no problems. a GUI is another issue all together.

Yes, yes I do believe I know what I'm talking about. I'm no linux guru, but I have tinkered around with it for the past 18 months or so. When I hear a person say they want to install linux, I assume they mean they want to intall a GUI. Sure, he may be able to install linux just fine, but I'm pretty sure he's going to want a desktop environment or window manager of some kind.

He currently has a functioning computer. He can do word processing, play really horrible games, and maybe even get on the internet. You can't expect much more from a 33 mhz laptop.

Another thing, I'm trying to be helpful...I would appreciate it if you would not attack me when I am only trying to help someone else out.

-teet

[Yeldarb]

Yeah, KDE probably isn't going to be an option for you, but you can definitely get a distro running on there. Linux has plenty of cool command line apps too :D

[Ryall]

Yes, yes I do believe I know what I'm talking about. I'm no linux guru, but I have tinkered around with it for the past 18 months or so. When I hear a person say they want to install linux, I assume they mean they want to intall a GUI. Sure, he may be able to install linux just fine, but I'm pretty sure he's going to want a desktop environment or window manager of some kind.

He currently has a functioning computer. He can do word processing, play really horrible games, and maybe even get on the internet. You can't expect much more from a 33 mhz laptop.

Another thing, I'm trying to be helpful...I would appreciate it if you would not attack me when I am only trying to help someone else out.

-teet

hardly an attack :sigh:

anyway... Im sure he wasnt talking about installing a GUI - why on earth would you want to force a GUI on such a slow machine?! No, he'd use a command prompt to run it and access basic proggs from there, but it would really help him learn the nitty gritty of the OS. :thumb:

[H4T]

Hm, yeah a GUI would be nice, but at the core, I want to learn the nitty gritty of the OS. Hell, maybe someday I could learn enough to make my own GUI....haha, thats a thought.