upgrading an old pc to use as a linux box

[gorath]

I've got an old Gateway PII 350 mhz computer, and I want to make a couple of additions to it, so that I can use it as a Linux box.

First question: Is this processor fast enough to satisfactorily run linux distributions?

Second question: Windows 98 isn't giving me any good information on what kind of hardware I have. I need to find a good downloadable utility that will give me enough information to upgrade with compatible parts. Any ideas?

The two things I want to add are: a new hard disk, probably around 20 gig, plus a stick of 128 mb of ram (it only has 64 right now.)

I need to find out what kind of motherboard I have, and what kind of Ram and Hard Disk it can accept. Any advice? Thanks.

[gorath]

Oh, and one more thing. I might add a new graphics card, since the current one is a really crappy 8 mb card. Any recommendations on a graphics card upgrade for around $30?

[daveleau]

SiSoft Sandra will tell you alot about your hardware.

Quote:

Pentium Processor (or compatible) and AMD processors
CD ROM drive
128 MB memory (RAM) recommended
Hard drive with at least 150 MB free space
VESA 2.0 compliant graphics card

These are the requirements for Mandrake 8.2. Your system is well withon parameters, once you add that stick f RAM.

Might want to look into a GeForce 2 of some sort that is PCI. that would be a good priced card (Around 30-40)

Dave

$41 shipped will get you one of these: "Visiontek Geforce2 MX400 32MB PCI" from ENPC (resellerratings link)

[gorath]

Thank a lot. Very useful info.

I'm sort of doing this as a learning experience. I could probably buy a faster computer for the $150 I'm spending on upgrading this old crate, but I want to learn how to mess with the insides of an old pc before I start tinkering around with my new one.

[gorath]

Okay, I just found some documentation for this pc that says it has "100 Mhz SDRAM". Is this the kind of RAM known as "PC100"?

[jgargac]

Yes. PC100 and 100 mhz sdRAM is the same thing. Best of luck,

Jeff

[gorath]

I'm pretty sure I have an AGP slot. Is an AGP graphics card preferable to the PCI one?

[Sixpac_XP]

Yes for the AGP if you have the slot... you probably could find a cheep AGP card for less then a PCI one...

p.s. I think you are doing the right thing for learning computers as tinkering around with your old one will let you learn a ton of stuff about computers. I think thats the way most of us learned about them.

[gorath]

Since I've got an AGP slot, what about the Geforce2 GTS 32 mb? ($36.95 shipped). How does it compare to the Geforce2 MX400?

Is it hard to get drivers for these cards?

And by the way, do hard disks need software drivers (duh...I know nothing....)?

[Xeroid]

Quote:

Originally posted by gorath
I've got an old Gateway PII 350 mhz computer, and I want to make a couple of additions to it, so that I can use it as a Linux box.

First question: Is this processor fast enough to satisfactorily run linux distributions?

My first try with Linux was on an old PC that I threw together with odd & ends. It had a Celeron 300mhz and did a fine job running Linux (Redhat & Mandrake).

With an old PC you can mess around to your hearts content without worring about messing anything up. That's how I learned a little about Linux. I did several installs of different Linux Distros to see which I liked best. When I was satisfied that I could install Linux without destroying my Windows partition I put it on my main PC in a multi boot setup.

Experimenting on an old PC is the way to go when your learning.

Mike

edited spelling