Putting Linux on a crappy lappy

[joshmcgown]

Hi,

I just got an old 486 laptop that has a pretty small (200mb or so) hdd on it. It is currently running Windows 95, but I would like to replace it with linux. I am planning on replacing the hdd to about a 550 mg. drive. I need to know how to install and what dist. of linux would be right for me (new linux user). There are two possible install senarios.

#1: From a new hard drive

If I take the HD with windows out, put the new one in and start fresh with no os.

#2 From the hard drive currently running windows

If I leave the one with win95 in there, and install linux over/replacing that.

Your help is greatly appreciated, btw- there is no cd, only floppy. Also if you know of any websites that can describe the procedure well please let me know. Thanks alot!

Josh McGown
joshmcgown@mindspring.com

 

[TonyRic]

I would replace the HDD, then get Red Hat 5.x or 6.2 and upgrade the kernel. I would not recommend X, just the text mode stuff... Then selectively update/upgrade the packages that you need... 🙂

 

[konichiwa]

What are you trying to DO with this box? Just tinker around? Or anything in particular?

 

[joshmcgown]

All I really want to do with the box is some inernet/im/email and light word (possibly). I dont really have a specific use for it though, its just sitting there.

 

[noninterleaved]

How much hdd does XFree take up? Will it even fit on that 200mb hd, plus apps?

Believe it or not, Linux can get just as bloated as Win2k can.

 

[aircooled]

If you want to use anything with a GUI, I recommend a larger hard drive. Even linux needs about 600 - 800mb when using a GUI and thats pushing it.

You can probably find a used 2 gig hard drive floating around for cheap and try running linux, but, laptop hardware can be so proprietary that it may not work.

As much as I hate to say it, DOS and possibly win 3.1 is probably your best bet (and easiest), If you just want to surf and do word. If you upgrade the harddrive, win95 (or 98lite) will work also.