Running Umbutu on PII?

hk797

Just given a disc with Ubuntu version 5.04.

Compaq Presario - PII 300 Mhz - 184 Ram - 2 x 3GB drives

Thinking about wiping both hard drives and going with a clean install.

Anything I should watch out for - driver issues etc?

Am I wasting my time with this old PC?

Should I go out and get later model / buy bare bones?

Newbie to linux so any advice much appreciated.

niallb

You have the CD, you have the machine.
That's some time saved already. Give it a go.
You should have very few driver issues with a machine of that age.

It will be slow, but not as slow as Windows XP Pro on the same machine.

For a permanent machine, get something faster.
This is a good opportunity to set up that faster machine
when it comes as someone who has got some linux experience.
When you get a faster one, re-install this one with
the 'server' option and make good use of it for years.

To get a faster system on it, download Damn Small Linux, and run it with 'toram' so you get your CD drive back. Presuming of course it has one :-)

You'll be impressed at that, though you'll learn more from Ubuntu, and have much more options.
DSL has an older version of firefox, but an incredibly fast desktop.

NiallB

hk797

Thks a mill NiallB - did as you recommended.

Only word I can use is WOW.

Now I know why my mate keeps telling me MS is toast.

Open Office rocks - on first look GIMP matches PhotoShop.

You were right - slow - but installed like a dream.

Zero probs about drivers - yes it is state of the ark - but does have a CD.

Want to now get something faster to do your step two.

Where is the best place to pick up a decent desktop?

Is there a Linux retailer in Ireland I should be supporting?

Any suggestions much appreciated.

After 2 hours I'm converted!!!!!

Thks again NiallB

niallb

niallb wrote:

...
To get a faster system on it, download Damn Small Linux, and run it with 'toram' so you get your CD drive back...
DSL has an older version of firefox, but an incredibly fast desktop.

Glad it's going well for you.
This was meant for the machine you already have.
Try the above on that, it'll fly.

NiallB

zAbbo

For a faster ubuntu, maybe try a server install and apt get whatever you need

May be a chance to try a different WM instead of gnome

check out - http://www.ubuntuforums.org/ (its down atm, but is very good for info)

hk797

Thks a million Niallb and BazH.

DSL is faster on this PII than anything I've seen MS run on.

What I've been suffering with bloatware for all these years ...

Still better late than never I guess.

I have seen the light!