Is Puppy Linux a good option for and old computer?

PrinceRameses · 07-11-2008, 01:08 PM

It's an old machine that is now running windows 98. I know puppy is a small linux option, but I never hear it suggested.

NeilF · 07-11-2008, 03:35 PM

well its definatly one of the smaller distros take a look in http://distrowatch.com/

qbawl · 07-12-2008, 02:35 AM

According to the DSL Wiki, the following are the system requirements:

CLI (non-graphical Linux) Minimum Requirements

* 486dx or 100% compatible processor
* 8mb ram (16mb recommended)
* CDROM drive
* 1.44mb floppy drive (for boot floppy, if needed)
* Monochrome (2 color) monitor

[edit]
Minimum Requirements for DSL with X-window

* 486dx or 100% compatible processor
* 16mb ram (24mb recommended)
* dual-speed CDROM (quad-speed or better recommended)
* 1.44mb floppy drive (for boot floppy, if needed)
* VGA monitor and video card
* a mouse (serial, ps/2, usb)
* (See DSL_on_Old_Computers.)

[edit]
Recommended Specs

* Pentium 200mhz
* 64mb ram
* 8x CDROM
* 1.44mb floppy drive (for boot floppy, if needed)
* VGA monitor and video card capable of handling at least 16 bit color
* a mouse with a scroll wheel

[edit]
Minimum Requirements for DSL-N with X-window

* Pentium 200mhz (Preferably at least 250 mhz)
* 64mb ram
* 8x CDROM
* 1.44mb floppy drive (for boot floppy, if needed)
* VGA monitor and video card capable of handling at least 16 bit color
* a mouse with a scroll wheel

Personally, I like Ubuntu and its derivatives. The following are the requirements for Ubuntu, and I'd guess your system probably will support the OS:

Recommended minimum requirements
Ubuntu should run reasonably well on a computer with the following minimum hardware specification. However, features such as visual effects may not run smoothly.

700 MHz x86 processor
384 MB of system memory (RAM)
8 GB of disk space
Graphics card capable of 1024x768 resolution
Sound card
A network or Internet connection
Note: All 64-bit (x86-64) PCs should be able to run Ubuntu. Use the 64-bit installation CD for a 64-bit-optimised installation.

I'd try a LiveCD for whatever distro interests you (many, even Gentoo, now have LiveCD's available) and see how the OS works on your system.

If you'd like better, more informative suggestions, it would probably be a good idea to post your system specs.

**shuuhen** · 07-12-2008, 02:14 PM

The important thing to remember about Linux distributions is anything that's possible with one should be possible with another. The big difference is how hard it is to do what you want with it. For what I do, I want to be able control what's compiled in to each package I install, so I like distributions like Gentoo. Other people want something that just works, so they often use something like MEPIS or Ubuntu.

Often if a distribution is aimed at lower spec hardware it will say on the about/overview page. Many distributions will also have minimum specs listed on their site.

Puppy Linux is aimed at being a fairly small distribution, so it should be a decent option for an old machine.

07-11-2008, 01:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
PrinceRameses Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 188 OS: Windows XP Home	Is Puppy Linux a good option for and old computer? It's an old machine that is now running windows 98. I know puppy is a small linux option, but I never hear it suggested. Last edited by shuuhen : 07-12-2008 at 02:15 PM. Reason: Language

07-11-2008, 03:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
NeilF Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 179 OS: win xp, vista, linux	Re: Is Puppy Linux a good option for and old computer? well its definatly one of the smaller distros take a look in http://distrowatch.com/

07-12-2008, 02:35 AM	#3 (permalink)
qbawl Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 380 OS: OSX/Linux/XP	Re: Is Puppy Linux a good option for and old computer? According to the DSL Wiki, the following are the system requirements: CLI (non-graphical Linux) Minimum Requirements * 486dx or 100% compatible processor * 8mb ram (16mb recommended) * CDROM drive * 1.44mb floppy drive (for boot floppy, if needed) * Monochrome (2 color) monitor [edit] Minimum Requirements for DSL with X-window * 486dx or 100% compatible processor * 16mb ram (24mb recommended) * dual-speed CDROM (quad-speed or better recommended) * 1.44mb floppy drive (for boot floppy, if needed) * VGA monitor and video card * a mouse (serial, ps/2, usb) * (See DSL_on_Old_Computers.) [edit] Recommended Specs * Pentium 200mhz * 64mb ram * 8x CDROM * 1.44mb floppy drive (for boot floppy, if needed) * VGA monitor and video card capable of handling at least 16 bit color * a mouse with a scroll wheel [edit] Minimum Requirements for DSL-N with X-window * Pentium 200mhz (Preferably at least 250 mhz) * 64mb ram * 8x CDROM * 1.44mb floppy drive (for boot floppy, if needed) * VGA monitor and video card capable of handling at least 16 bit color * a mouse with a scroll wheel Personally, I like Ubuntu and its derivatives. The following are the requirements for Ubuntu, and I'd guess your system probably will support the OS: Recommended minimum requirements Ubuntu should run reasonably well on a computer with the following minimum hardware specification. However, features such as visual effects may not run smoothly. 700 MHz x86 processor 384 MB of system memory (RAM) 8 GB of disk space Graphics card capable of 1024x768 resolution Sound card A network or Internet connection Note: All 64-bit (x86-64) PCs should be able to run Ubuntu. Use the 64-bit installation CD for a 64-bit-optimised installation. I'd try a LiveCD for whatever distro interests you (many, even Gentoo, now have LiveCD's available) and see how the OS works on your system. If you'd like better, more informative suggestions, it would probably be a good idea to post your system specs. Last edited by qbawl : 07-12-2008 at 02:36 AM.

07-12-2008, 02:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
shuuhen Moderator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 723 OS: Mac OS 9.1, Mac OS X 10.5.4, WinXP Pro, FreeBSD 6.0, Gentoo Linux	Re: Is Puppy Linux a good option for and old computer? The important thing to remember about Linux distributions is anything that's possible with one should be possible with another. The big difference is how hard it is to do what you want with it. For what I do, I want to be able control what's compiled in to each package I install, so I like distributions like Gentoo. Other people want something that just works, so they often use something like MEPIS or Ubuntu. Often if a distribution is aimed at lower spec hardware it will say on the about/overview page. Many distributions will also have minimum specs listed on their site. Puppy Linux is aimed at being a fairly small distribution, so it should be a decent option for an old machine. __________________ Has it been a few days since I replied to your thread? Don't panic! I'm a busy college student and may forget a post if I'm extra busy (or it might just take me a while to be able to do a decent reply). If you still need help and are awaiting my reply after a few days, PM me about it. When posting what errors you get, please give the full message. It makes helping you much easier.