Re: [OS:N:] Linux on low-end hardware?

Hi Robert,

I installed Ubuntu Breezy into an 166 Mhz MMX with 256 MB Ram. Now I
have several problems with standard Gnome manager. But I can solve them
by using someother way won't come with standart installation. More,
this installation is not the extreme one I tried Ubuntu, beforehand I
installed Ubuntu on same machine with 64 MB, it worked but not in an
acceptable way for newcommers.=20

I tried same distro in Celeron 400 Mhz with 128 MB and the result was
very satisfactory if I could assess it from your points of interest in
this wonderfull project, and better than the first installation without
any doubt.=20

With respect to my prior experiences and problems on Fedora Core and
Mandrake installations to brand new configurations, I could say, for
me, Ubuntu is fine and preferable with Debian's stable support behind
it for low-end machines.=20

And, I couldn't forgot helps that I got from Knoppix's (Live distro but
an older version) support on unexpected problems that I've faced.

I really hope these lines can help you on your decision,

Very best regards,

Sitki Yurekli

--- Robert Citek <[email protected]> wrote:

>=20
> What linux distro and setup do people here recommend for low-end =20
> hardware?
>=20
> I'm helping out a local non-profit group "refurbish" machines that =20
> they get as donations.  This group then uses the machines to teach =20
> young kids about computing and sells the machines to raise a bit of =20
> cash.  Most of these machines are low-end x86 machines, e.g. <400 =20
> MHZ, <128 MB RAM, <6 GB HDD, usually a WinModem.  Currently, their =20
> standard operating procedure is to triage the machine (if the machine
> =20
> is not working as a whole, remove parts and assemble a working =20
> machine from parts), wipe the drive, install Windows 98 and some =20
> application software, and configure the modem for dial-up.  Because =20
> of licensing restrictions on Windows98, they'd like to move to =20
> Linux.  The question is, what distro given the older hardware?
>=20
> To date I've tried the following: FeatherLinux, DamnSmallLinux, =20
> VectorLinux, Knoppix (using PDI, no install), Ubuntu (server install=20
>=20
> followed by install of xfce4), CentOS (base install followed by =20
> install of xfce4).  Each distro has its pluses and minuses but =20
> nothing stood out at the clear choice so far.  VectorLinux using
> xfce4=20
> +ROX has come the closest to ideal.
>=20
> The requirements for a distro, in addition to being able to run on =20
> older hardware, are:
>=20
> 1) look/feel similar enough to MS Windows so learning curve is not =20
> too steep.  E.g. start-menu, manipulating windows, configuring =20
> system.  xfce4 with some tweaks seems to work fairly well, but I'm =20
> curious to know of other's experiences.
>=20
> 2) simple to install application software.  Installing synaptic on =20
> most debian-based systems addresses this.
>=20
> 3) simple to clone or script an install.  I'm most familiar with =20
> kickstart, but perhaps there are other solutions.
>=20
> 4) provide an obvious upgrade path.  Ubuntu looks nicest for this: on
> =20
> low-end hardware use xfce and on more powerful hardware use
> KDE/Gnome.
>=20
> Of course, the hardest requirement is that it has to be "palatable" =20
> to the other volunteers who are doing the work.  In my experience, if
> =20
> the software is too different (steep learning curve) or gives them =20
> too much headache (too inconsistent, buggy), they walk away.  And no=20
>=20
> non-profit wants to lose volunteers.
>=20
> If anyone wants to share experiences or recommendations, I'd love to=20
>=20
> hear them.  Or if people know of blogs that already discuss some or =20
> all of what I'm looking for, please do post links.
>=20
> Regards,
> - Robert
> http://www.cwelug.org/downloads
> Help others get OpenSource software.  Distribute FLOSS
> for Windows, Linux, *BSD, and MacOS X with BitTorrent
>=20
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>=20


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