[trekkie00]

I am going to try to switch to Mandrake Linux this week. I have an older system.

P3 @ 866 mhz.
256 mb. PC100 RAM
40gb HDD + 6gb HDD
CD and CDRW drive
Currently runs Windows ME.
11mb. built-in Intel graphics.

Is there anything I should be worried about? I know next to nothing about Linux.

I also have a question about dual-booting. My only other operating systems are Windows 95, Windows 98 (upgrade), and a HP System Restore disk pack with Windows ME. I cannot choose which drive I would like to install Windows on, although I believe it is the one set to "active" in fdisk. Should I try installing Windows 98? Would there be things in ME I couldn't do in 98 + Linux?

Also, I have several files (videos, music, and downloads) on the small 6 gb. hard drive. Will I still be able to acess them in Linux? What program(s) would I need to view the videos? They are encoded (I believe) with the DivX codec.

Thanks for all your help.

[GameGURU]

That should run a Linux system very well. Linux doesn't need that powerful of a computer to operate smoothly.

If you have things on another hard drive or partition that uses Windows, you still should be able to access them in Linux.

[Sevoma]

Don't install ME. It is worse than all of the Windows OS's put together!

[trekkie00]

Yes, that's why I'm installing Linux.

Currently, I have my 6 gig HDD as backup for several files. Windows ME is installed on a 30gig partition, and I have a spare 10 gig partition. Should I repartition the hard drive to a different setting? Would 10 gigs be enough for Mandrake Linux, or should I install it on the 30 gig?

Also, slightly off-topic: I have an old Pentium 133, 64mb RAM, 4-gig HDD. Would it be possible to install Linux on that? How well would it run?

Thanks for all your help.

[horndude]

linux will run on almost anything

Pentium 133, 64mb RAM, thats plenty

[Sevoma]

10gb is enough. If you ever wanted more space, you could put a linux partition on the 30gig and use as a home folder.

[macdude425]

Originally posted by horndude
Pentium 133, 64mb RAM, thats plenty

Even 48MB of RAM will do with Fluxbox.

Really, you could probably get rid of Windows and just use Linux...

[eklypze]

In my opinion, there isn't much to worry about when switching to Linux. As long as you are an open-minded person who doesn't mind trying new things, I'd say go for it.

[2fast4u]

wut about printer and wireless internet?

[macdude425]

Most printers work with CUPS (Common Unix Printing Service), and is bundled with most distros.
http://cups.org
http://linuxprinting.org

As for wireless, you could try Ndiswrapper, the ATMEL WLAN Driver, or some cards are natively supported by the Linux kernel.
http://ndiswrapper.sf.net
http://atmelwlandriver.sf.net