Linux for an old Laptop

dmurray14

Golden Member
Feb 21, 2003
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Anyone want to reccomend a good linux OS for my old 266mhz laptop...I just want to throw something on there to screw with that will run OK on a 233. Thanks
 

silverpig

Lifer
Jul 29, 2001
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Used linux much before?

I'd suggest gentoo if you are fairly comfortable with linux so far. You can install everything, or nothing. Very good distro for an old system like that.
 

Platypus

Lifer
Apr 26, 2001
31,046
321
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Originally posted by: silverpig
Used linux much before?

I'd suggest gentoo if you are fairly comfortable with linux so far. You can install everything, or nothing. Very good distro for an old system like that.

Except that he'd be compiling on a 266mhz chip and it would take a while if he wanted anything useful on it.
 

silverpig

Lifer
Jul 29, 2001
27,703
12
81
Originally posted by: CorporateRecreation
Originally posted by: silverpig
Used linux much before?

I'd suggest gentoo if you are fairly comfortable with linux so far. You can install everything, or nothing. Very good distro for an old system like that.

Except that he'd be compiling on a 266mhz chip and it would take a while if he wanted anything useful on it.

You don't have to compile everything. In fact, you can get a completely precompiled OS ready for you from the CDs.
 

Platypus

Lifer
Apr 26, 2001
31,046
321
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Originally posted by: silverpig
Originally posted by: CorporateRecreation
Originally posted by: silverpig
Used linux much before?

I'd suggest gentoo if you are fairly comfortable with linux so far. You can install everything, or nothing. Very good distro for an old system like that.

Except that he'd be compiling on a 266mhz chip and it would take a while if he wanted anything useful on it.

You don't have to compile everything. In fact, you can get a completely precompiled OS ready for you from the CDs.

My point was, the nice thing about Gentoo is that you CAN compile everything yourself making it the only reason it's preferable over an already compiled OS.

 

johnjbruin

Diamond Member
Jul 17, 2001
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your biggest problem will be getting the gui to run. as other have said, older redhat/mandrake version should be fine.
if your are just going to use console, then just use any version of linux, it will be fine. But somehow i doubt that you will just be using a console.
 

Platypus

Lifer
Apr 26, 2001
31,046
321
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Originally posted by: johnjbruin
your biggest problem will be getting the gui to run. as other have said, older redhat/mandrake version should be fine.
if your are just going to use console, then just use any version of linux, it will be fine. But somehow i doubt that you will just be using a console.

There are other GUI's besides resource hogging ones like KDE and Gnome. Run a blackbox setup or variant like fluxbox.
 

I have run debian on a couple of old 266Mhz Thinkpads. Runs like a charm, even with GUI.