fastest simplest linux distro

conchubhar1 · 11-12-2009 05:04PM #1

Hi - my family computer is too old to run xp properly.

I want a fast simple linux distro to install on it that will work with little hassle and has firefox at least.

needs to run eircom netopia internet.

Can jolicloud be run on a desktop? is it any good?

eightcell · 11-12-2009 05:58PM

Sounds like you are looking for Xubuntu.
The installer is graphical and does what you are looking for.

Vergast · 11-12-2009 07:52PM

I would lend my support for puppy linux.
http://www.puppylinux.org

Its < 100mb installer, comes with everything to you need fix, check and test computers, as well as partition drives and run performance tests. Fits nicely on a memory pen so you can bring your OS around with you.

Alanstrainor · 11-12-2009 08:49PM

Have you tried reinstalling xp? It could be that xp has just gotten bogged down. But if that's not the case, i'd definitely go for xubuntu. It's a nice OS.

conchubhar1 · 11-12-2009 09:30PM

1/4 gig of ram and 17 gb hdd

I should have never installed xp tbh....

Mycroft H · 12-12-2009 02:14AM

yes ubuntu is too bloated to run to smoothly on those specs even xubuntu. i found its not that much lighter then the ordinary ubuntu.

puppy linux i always thought was too rough and unpolished for a everyday linux box. its great for an o.s on a flash drive though.

i put arch linux on a Pentium III 800mhz with 196mb of ram and its running smooth. really nice distro

BopNiblets · 12-12-2009 04:59PM

Mint comes in XFCE flavour too.
http://www.linuxmint.com/rel_gloria_xfce.php

Orion · 12-12-2009 06:19PM

Mint is also Ubuntu and will be slow depending on how old the PC is. Puppy is your best bet - it will run on anything.

Johnboy1951 · 12-12-2009 06:57PM

PCLinuxOS LXDE should fit the bill nicely.

Puppy would be faster, but not as 'friendly' to use.

cable842 · 13-12-2009 06:33PM

i agree with the Linux Mint comment. its a great system

Nichololas · 13-12-2009 06:41PM

Check out;
Puppy Linux
Arch linux
Vector linux

PogMoThoin · 13-12-2009 06:45PM

Even smaller than Puppy Linux (105MB) is Damn Small Linux and You'd be suprised at the amount of stuff they squeezed into 50MB, its a fully functioning desktop distro.

Vergast · 13-12-2009 06:54PM

Damn Small Linux is a bit less user friendly that Puppy. I was surprised how simple and explained a lot of things were in the latest puppy release , 4.3 or 4.2 cant remember, very user friendly compared to the old versions!

niallb · 15-12-2009 01:09AM

Crunchbang is well worth a look.
Don't know if it's still being updated, but I've used it on several machines with 256M of RAM, and been happy. It's ubuntu based, so has lots of software options.
A debian install with the lxde desktop is another excellent choice.

fastest simplest linux distro

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