Linux??? What kind of hardware??

Hello,

I think the penquin is cute!! That is All that I know about Linux.

I am curious, however----considering that I have learned how to drag and drop in Windows.

I guess I'll start with this: I have an AcerPower 4000 desktop that I never use. P233mhz MMX @ 282mhz, 2.1 GB HDD with 1.7GB free, 128MB PC100 ram, Windows 98, IE5.5 SP2, DirectX 8.0. Audio-video-nic on board. It has a 56K modem that is operative, if needed. 15" Ochestra monitor 800x600 16bit.

Would this be a good enough computer for Linux?

Well, I have another computer that is a little faster that is sitting on top of the ACER that I don't use either. An AMD-K6 350mhz @ 388mhz, 128 MB ram, 4.3G HDD---3.8GB free, Win98, IE5.5, CDR,
NIC, modem, etc.

I do have an IBM 15GB, 7200 rpm HDD in a drawer with nothing on it....if that will help. Also, 4 other computers going up to AMD 1.4ghz CPU, 384MB PC133. All these have been networked into my home network at one time or another.

I'm just seeking what you guys would recommend starting out. I have all sorts of extra parts...ram, HDD's, etc.

Now I am open to all suggestions and advice.

Thank you,

Spaceman

I was going to write some stuff about hardware and Linux, and partitions and dual booting.
Instead I think I may just suggest downloading Knoppix. It boots and runs a current Linux version from CD. It will give you a taste for how Linux likes your hardware and how you like Linux. Except for your time to download and burn a CD it's free.
www.knoppix.com

Good luck.

Hi 2dc,

Thank you for your response. I can download it and burn it on the computer that I using now. Then what?? Bootup another computer with Koppix in the CDR and take the ride??!!

Spaceman

Any of your computers actually.
Linux, like Windows, is normally "installed" to a computer on it's own partition. A very small version can be booted from a floppy, like a Windows recover disk, sort of. The Knoppix distribution boots and runs from the CD and does not install any software to your computer. I believe there is an option to actually install Knoppix if you take a liking to it.
There is a link to the Knoppix faq close to the bottom of the Knoppix page. Reading the page and faq should answer some of your questions. More will be answered after the CD boots up and you begin your Linux adventure. You need to read carefully about burning an ISO file if you have never done so.
If Knoppix doeesn't like some hardware on one computer try another. There is a thumbs up knoppix post on this forum.

Thank you.


Spaceman

Most if not all of that hardware should be fine, its all quite standard stuff, the only thing you may have problems with are the modems and meaby the nic's (if they are on an isa bus).

I have a K6 500mhz with 128mb (a compaq presario of all things) laying about at home, i use it as a server, it runs on slackware, not a single relevant hardware problem with it except the win modem but even that works now.

Now you would think a propritery compaq box would run like a dog if at all with linux espically slackware, it works great.

Despite all the stories of hardware incompatability linux is a very versatile operating system with massive hardware support.

RB :)

Hello rami3,

Thank you for your response. Honestly, I do NOT know Linux from lemonade and since I'm retired there can be too much free time to grow old. Can't have that.

So I'm learning how to build/repair and use "vintage" computers.
I like to build them and give them away!!

My regards,

Spaceman

You have picked the right OS to mess about with then, below are some links that will help you learn linux, for older machines i would use slackware or debian, they require a lot of configuration but if your an old hand at computers you wont be vexed to much after the initial 'shell' shock :), and they really aint as hard to use and configure as people would have you beleive, i say this because some of the newer distros are geared more towards high end machines, not 133's etc, but a 133 with debian and blackbox window manager would run like a dream.

Linux Newbie .org
Unix .com
Linux Questions .org
Debian
Slackware
Redhat
Linux .org
Linux Documentation
Linux Journal
Linux Today

Those should get you started.

Why not take the newest 'old' computer and load linux onto that, it is effectively free so you can try out different distros until you get one you are comfortable with, thats the key BTW dont be caught up in the latest distro hype and talk, you will get nowhere, use what you feel you can handle and prefere, when you are happy installing on a newer pc move onto the older ones.

The best place to get full iso's is at Linux ISO .org if you have the bandwidth that is.

Goodluck

RB :)

Even Redhat Linux 8.0 (the newest version) will run on even the slowest machine you mentioned there.
I have a PII 233 with 96mb ram and it runs redhat linux 8.0 just fine (little slow, but that's to be expected)

The fact is Linux will run on a much older machine with much more efficiency than Windows will. Especially in text mode (so it's not wasting resources on an un-needed GUI) Linux can run very quickly as a file, http, and ftp server. That is one of the biggest reasons linux is so popular as a server OS right now (other reasons are stability, security, and the fact that not many people write viruses for linux)