Which is the best Linux for my old desktop PC? - Tech Support Forums

LetMeKnow · November 21st, 2007, 09:21 PM

So... I'd really like to try Linux.

But I'm still on a Celeron 600MHz with 256MB SDRAM... with integrated graphics.
So is Knoppix the right one for me?
Or Damn Small Linux? Or how about Puppy Linux?
Or what, I really mean asking!

Regards.

LetMeKnow · November 21st, 2007, 10:30 PM

Or maybe Ubuntu for desktop PCs?...

excuzzzeme · November 22nd, 2007, 04:06 AM

I wouldn't go with Ububtu although easy to use, the gnome desklet needs too much ram. Puppy and DSL run in ram and are good for small projects. I have Puppy on 2 of my flashdrives! Puppy and DSL only 50MB and uses memory lightly. 128 is plenty.

I have found a KDE-based is better for small memory and older computers. So Puppy, DSL, or open Suse are good choices. I run all three on a AMD 950/512. All threee run great. I also run Suse in VM and have had good luck with it.

samwichse · November 22nd, 2007, 05:35 AM

Kubuntu, or Xubuntu are good.

KDE's your friend, just be sure to turn off the whiz-bang stuff (konqueror preloading, file previews, indexing, subpixel hinting, animations of any kind).

I run Fedora 7 with KDE 3.5.7 on a 400 mhz Celeron (192 MB of RAM). It's not fast, but it's not extremely slow either.

Sam

LetMeKnow · November 22nd, 2007, 08:53 AM

Honestly, I love OpenSUSE more than the others,

Thanks for the tip that I should find one based on KDE!

I don't really understand these:

1) Is it true that booting right from a live-CD/DVD means the processor won't start whatever OS currently installed on my HDD? Can I access, for instance, my "My Documents" then? I'm talking about reading/writing/appending data from/to the HDD.

2) If I run the CD/DVD while the OS (mine is Windows 2000 on a NTFS-formatted HDD) is running, then I'm working with 2 different OSes at a time? How is that possible?

3) What if it's NOT a live-CD/DVD? Must I do clean uninstallation of Win. 2000, which also means full reformat of the HDD?

Anyway Sam, Fedora is based on GNOME, maybe that's why it performs so-so?

Thanks!

excuzzzeme · November 22nd, 2007, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LetMeKnow

Honestly, I love OpenSUSE more than the others,

Thanks for the tip that I should find one based on KDE!

I don't really understand these:

1) Is it true that booting right from a live-CD/DVD means the processor won't start whatever OS currently installed on my HDD? Can I access, for instance, my "My Documents" then? I'm talking about reading/writing/appending data from/to the HDD.

2) If I run the CD/DVD while the OS (mine is Windows 2000 on a NTFS-formatted HDD) is running, then I'm working with 2 different OSes at a time? How is that possible?

3) What if it's NOT a live-CD/DVD? Must I do clean uninstallation of Win. 2000, which also means full reformat of the HDD?

Anyway Sam, Fedora is based on GNOME, maybe that's why it performs so-so?

Thanks!

If you use a live CD that means everything is done from the CD. The CD boot pre-empts whatever is on the harddrive as it doen'st use one.

The only way to use Linux (or some other OS) while in windows is to use a Virtual Machine. Using VM, you can bounce back and forth between OS's. (Not recommended for machines with less than 512MMB of ram).

If you decide to install any Linux on the HDD you don't need to unninstall as Linux will partion the HDD. You will lose all info stored on it.

It would be better to have a second HDD to install Linux on and do a dual boot as an alternative. Under "dual boot", right after post you will get a screen to select which OS you want to boot. You can access Windows programs and files but only if you install "Wine", (a Windows emulator) in your Linux OS. I recommed a HDD of 6GB or larger as the OS is about 2GB, (except in case of LiveCD).

Hope this helps.

LetMeKnow · November 22nd, 2007, 11:01 AM

OK thanks!
Will try OpenSUSE sooner, and let you know.

samwichse · November 23rd, 2007, 01:19 AM

http://www.pendrivelinux.com/2007/03...-ubuntu-linux/

If you want to run side-by-side, qemu is pretty svelte. However, it will be a slower experience.

Sam

LetMeKnow · November 23rd, 2007, 11:13 AM

Thanks for the link Sam!
Really, thanks to both of you, love you guys!

#43 fan · December 3rd, 2007, 09:41 PM

Xubuntu is also a good option.
Myself, I have successfully run Linux Mint (Ubuntu clone) on a computer with 256 MB's of RAM. Granted, RDRAM, and half of the RAM was on the vid card, which Linux uses graphically, apparently.