Linux for Old Computer

trekkie00 · 09-14-2006, 04:03 PM

I recently got an old computer at a yard sale, and am currently using it as a FTP server running Windows 98 SE. I'd like to get Linux running on it, but am not sure what would be a good distro.

Specs:
Pentium 2 @ 233
192 mb. RAM
40gb. HDD
2 USB 1.1 (pretty sure anyway) ports

What distro would you recommend for it?

redhorns · 09-14-2006, 04:33 PM

Try looking for RedHat version 9 or below. I had a similar system running RedHat 9. Only ram was 256

macdude425 · 09-14-2006, 04:42 PM

Redhat 9 is NO LONGER supported, and even if it was, it is incredibly bloated.

I recommend DSL, and if you don't like that, try Puppy Linux.

Debian/Gentoo would also be a choice if you were willing to strip them down.

Snake-Eyes · 09-14-2006, 05:08 PM

I also would like to suggest DSL. Probably be a good choice for such a low-end computer.

trekkie00 · 09-14-2006, 05:43 PM

I have a DSL CD and boot floppy, but cannot make it install on the HDD. It says to use either fdisk or cfdisk on it, but it says the drive is read-only. Any advice for making it writable?

jakec · 09-14-2006, 10:59 PM

Distros for older Hardware:

feather Linux
http://featherlinux.berlios.de/

Vector Linux
http://www.vectorlinux.com/

DSL
http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/

Puppy Linux
http://www.puppylinux.org/user/viewpage.php?page_id=3

Slackware
http://www.slackware.com/

BeatrIX
http://www.watsky.net/

you should be able to install ANY distri you want on it though, I'll give you a few personal reccomendations

PCLinuxOS
http://www.pclinuxos.com/page.php?7

Mephis
http://www.mepis.org/

hope this Helps,

Jake

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