Linux for old pc?

barnettgs · 24 Feb 2007 at 17:03

I have got 433 Celeron PC with 128mb RAM from a friend. Running Windows 98SE on it was impressive and quick. However, I wanted to tried out 'modern' operation system for free so I have tried Ubu, Slackware (well, not really!) and the Damn Small Linux.

I tired Ubu out at first using live CD but it was too much for underpowered system to run, then I tried DSL, too basic and doesn't work with ethernet card then Slackware, it has very complicated install but I did the partitioning, full system install and then in the end, it didn't detect operation system at boot up! :rolleyes:

There is few things about Linux that is bugging me!

1) Why need more than two or three CDs to install when you could do with 1 CD of Windows XP?

2) Slower to run than XP on same system!

3) Why did they made it difficult to install with lots of unnecessary options? Especially with Slackware!

4) No 1680 x 1050 screen support?

I also tried SLAX, I like the clean interface of SLAX but had a screen align problem on my Dell 20" monitor but shame that it is not for installing OS.

Is there any disto out there that has GUI of SLAX and comes with Firefox & Openoffice, capable of running on old PC and easy to install?!

barnettgs · 25 Feb 2007 at 19:13

Ok, just realised I have only used one CD of slackware!

Found out you need to use 5 CDs to install stackware?! :eek:

I just remembered that I saw 5 ISO on download list but I went away downloading the only first one thinking slackware is light version of linux...but I thought slackware is ideal for older PC? :confused:

However, I'm going to try out Xubuntu anyway.

barnettgs · 25 Feb 2007 at 22:58

Ok, just come back from playing with xubuntu...first thing, it runs great on 433mhz celeron system! Very impressive. Though, there is no trash bin and no 'personal' folder to save documents?

Firefox's great too and it is quick enough but it is 1.5 so I have downloaded latest 2.0 version for Linux...and how am I supposed to install it?! Time for more hair scratching!

I was kind of expecting the experience to be similar to Windows like add/remove program but then, is that normal with all the linux distros? I am beginning to feel like I am wasting my time with this linux OS who doesn't want to do the work for you!

barnettgs · 9 Mar 2007 at 17:49

Well, just to let you know that I have thrown out Celeron PC, it's so hopeless.

I'm not at all impressed with Ubuntu or Slackware (too many incomparability problems, too advanced for me!)...however, I pulled out my 1 Ghz pc and installed OpenSUSE with Gnome GUI...easiest the best Linux OS I have come across and runs great with simple & uncomplicated GUI. It is very usable out of box and easy to find system settings if you need to.

barnettgs · 9 Mar 2007 at 18:06

Conrad11 said:
Hmm, you found Ubuntu hard to use? I think its very easy.

What version did you try may i ask?

Sorry, I was referring to Slackware. Ubuntu and Xubuntu installed fine but were too sluggish to run on old Celeron.

Also I have tried Ubuntu on 1Ghz too but somehow, OpenSUSE feels snapper to use and does not freeze when it is busy.