DIGIT-ARC read-only archive · snapshot: July 23, 2026

Suggest a distro for my old PC.

37 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/suggest-a-distro-for-my-old-pc.83638/

Renny
Renny Original post #1
Mar 26, 2008 at 10:02 PM
This is my config:-

PIII 700 MHz,
256 MB SDRAM,
Intel chipset,
LG dvd writer,
Seagate 20GB HDD,
Samsung 15" crt moniter

(Onboard 82810 graphics controller, onboard 82801AA AC'97 audio)


Suggest a distro for this config.






Reason for starting a separate thread was because I didnt get any replies for the previous thread.
Gigacore
Mar 26, 2008 at 10:14 PM
ubuntu 5.10 must run fine :)
F
FilledVoid #3
Mar 27, 2008 at 2:01 AM
NimbleX or PuppyLinux would be my Opinion.
A
anarchist #4
Mar 27, 2008 at 7:48 AM
ubuntu 5.10 must run fine :)
why to go for 2 years old distro?
Xubuntu 7.10 would be my choice.
Gigacore
Mar 27, 2008 at 8:20 AM
hmm, coz its Gnome
Renny
Renny #6
Mar 27, 2008 at 11:12 AM
Well I just installed Vector Linxu 5.9,

everything seems to be running OK for the moment,

It doesnt have Gimp and firefox, how do i get it?
M
Mar 27, 2008 at 11:23 AM
Use slapt-get
Also, see *vectorlinux.com/wiki/doku.php?id=howtos:repositories5.8
Renny
Renny #8
Mar 27, 2008 at 11:26 AM
K got that but what about a torrent program? could'nt find any in gslapt.
MetalheadGautham
Mar 27, 2008 at 11:35 AM
get deluge

or try linux-packages.com for different software packages for vector and slackware
hullap
hullap #10
Mar 27, 2008 at 11:50 AM
Try Xubuntu. it has Xfce which will work very fast on your computer
praka123
praka123 #11
Mar 27, 2008 at 11:52 AM
vector should run fine.else try antix mepis.
MetalheadGautham
Mar 27, 2008 at 12:06 PM
Try Xubuntu. it has Xfce which will work very fast on your computer
xubuntu is waaaaaaaaaaaaay too bloated, and with a few adjustments and a bit more resources, ubuntu can work like Xubuntu in his computer.


Stick with Vector Linux, or use Fluxbuntu
gxsaurav
gxsaurav #13
Mar 27, 2008 at 12:27 PM
Lolz....he has an ancient PC guys

Use Zenwalk, based on slackware, runs best on old computers.
infra_red_dude
Mar 27, 2008 at 1:16 PM
Don't heed to any of these suggestions and continue to use Vector Linux...
Renny
Renny #15
Mar 27, 2008 at 1:19 PM
Thnx for the replies everyone,

Will try Xubuntu when 8.04 gets released(Release date?).





Btw even Zenwalk used to always hang ;).
infra_red_dude
Mar 27, 2008 at 2:14 PM
Default Xubuntu 8.04 on that config???!!! No way!!! Get the alternate CD, use a lightweight WM like fluxbox etc.
F
FilledVoid #17
Mar 27, 2008 at 3:04 PM
Ill vouch for this. You DO NOT want to install any Ubuntu flavor on it unless you are willing to customize it ALOT. There are articles on how to get Ubuntu running on computers with 192 RAM. trust me when I say its not easy and amusing when you see the amount of customization you have to do. Stick with Vector or try one of the other small ones mentioned above. However although its not friendly at all. You should check up on Crux. How do you think the user os a 550 Mhz computer who can boot up in 16 seconds feels.

*kmandla.wordpress.com/2008/03/27/part-of-the-allure/

PS: I never said it will be easy. Im saying that in advance in case anyone wants to nitpick.
praka123
praka123 #18
Mar 27, 2008 at 5:02 PM
^well antix mepis is a refined option :p
antiX is a fast, lightweight and easy to install linux live CD distribution based on MEPIS for Intel-AMD x86 compatible systems. antiX offers users the "Magic of Mepis" in an environment suitable for old computers. So don't throw away that old computer yet! The goal of antiX is to provide a light, but fully functional and flexible free operating system for both newcomers and experienced users of Linux. It should run on most computers, ranging from 64MB old PII 266 systems with pre-configured 128MB RAM to the latest powerful boxes. 128MB RAM is recommended for antiX. antiX can also be used as a fast-booting rescue cd.
antiX-M7 will not run (yet) on older processors such as Pentium I (it seems that PII is ok, but PII MMX may not boot), AMD K5, and AMD K6 as it uses an up to date i686 kernel. antiX-Spartacus should.
At the moment antiX comes as a full distro (c310MB) and as a base distro (c178MB). For those who wish to have control over the install, use antiX-base.
*antix.mepis.org/
F
FilledVoid #19
Mar 27, 2008 at 5:43 PM
I havent heard of the above :( . but it definitely sounds interesting. Also if you look in the above link I ghave you will find a post which customizes Ubuntu to run fairly fast on a very low end laptop.
praka123
praka123 #20
Mar 27, 2008 at 7:29 PM
well,antix will be more optimized for old hardware and also bundles latest kernel!and above all is a Debian distro!
I cannot imagine how can we compare between xubuntu and Antix!
Renny
Renny #21
Mar 27, 2008 at 8:07 PM
Thnx praka,
Currently downloading Antix Mepis 310MB ISO ;).
Faun
Faun #22
Mar 27, 2008 at 8:09 PM
K am not hijacking this thread but a simple question,

tell me the name of a distro which can run on 128MB RAM desktop PC, it should be user friendly and easier like Ubuntu
hullap
hullap #23
Mar 27, 2008 at 8:14 PM
you can try DSL too ( im saying to both t159 and Rahul)
its about 98mb and has fluxbox
Renny
Renny #24
Mar 28, 2008 at 10:51 PM
The wierdest thing,

I cant login to anything in vector(gmail etc) cos it always says wrong password entered :confused:,

But Im able to ligin in XP.
hullap
hullap #25
Mar 28, 2008 at 10:59 PM
might be cookies problem
Renny
Renny #26
Mar 28, 2008 at 11:05 PM
Cleared even private data in firefox but still no use.
praka123
praka123 #27
Mar 29, 2008 at 5:31 AM
^try antix!
@t159:do u expect Gnome in 128MB PC?also what processor?
if you want a smooth experience,I recommend compiling gentoo (better from stage1) :lol:
another option is archlinux+kdemod -it will hopefully work smooth.
both the above distros should not be tried by n00b's.

overall,as per reviews,Antix seems the way for old pc's :)
Faun
Faun #28
Mar 29, 2008 at 8:52 AM
^^processor is pentium 2.4

currently redhhat 9 is installed, and its working fine,
My friend likes XP but am trying to convince him that linux can also be better.
He is on BSNL 500NU plan, so the distro should be easy to configure for net. Multimedia flexibility and GCC should be easier to set up.


I hav installed Mandriva 2008 on my C2D machine, its out of box experience is wow till now, plays any video/audio file and by default you hav Compiz fusion and matisse, and was far more easier to install than Ubuntu.

The wierdest thing,

I cant login to anything in vector(gmail etc) cos it always says wrong password entered :confused:,

But Im able to ligin in XP.
yeah the same problem was in ubuntu evolution, SMTP password was always wrong even entering again it pops up after few minutes to say the same raaga
praka123
praka123 #29
Mar 29, 2008 at 8:55 AM
^then it is easy!my suggestion is,you install archlinux,else Antix is nice :)
BTW,with 384MB RAM ,I am running a p4 2.8Ghz smoothly.but yes,a dedicated 256MB nvidia card is there ;)
Faun
Faun #30
Mar 29, 2008 at 9:00 AM
*xs225.xs.to/xs225/08134/back715.png

may be archlinux is best bet for him
Renny
Renny #31
Mar 30, 2008 at 3:04 PM
Installed Slackware 12,

The problem why all the distros were hanging was cos of incorrect horizontal and vertical refresh rates and multiple desktops!:grin:



So problems solved! :)

>Now I have a scroll wheel in my PS/2 mouse but it does'nt work, how do i make it work?


>And by enabling or disabling kernel modules can I increase the speed of my system(loading only modules for my current hardware)?
chesss
chesss #32
Apr 1, 2008 at 4:14 PM
for old PC's nothing beats puppy
W
Apr 3, 2008 at 3:28 PM
Believe me. My personal experience. PCLOS 2007 works better under older systems.
F
FilledVoid #34
Apr 3, 2008 at 3:57 PM
Believe me. My personal experience. PCLOS 2007 works better under older systems.
WOuld it work with reasonable performance on the below system?

PIII 700 MHz,
256 MB SDRAM,
Intel chipset,
LG dvd writer,
Seagate 20GB HDD,
Samsung 15" crt moniter
W
Apr 3, 2008 at 11:22 PM
WOuld it work with reasonable performance on the below system?

My current system is an ancient one...

Sempron 2500+ with just 256 mb ram !

Only PCLOS 2007 worked best in my system out of all the frontline distros
M
mehulved #36
Apr 3, 2008 at 11:35 PM
That's not as historic as a P3, is it?
F
FilledVoid #37
Apr 3, 2008 at 11:44 PM
My current system is an ancient one...

Sempron 2500+ with just 256 mb ram !

Only PCLOS 2007 worked best in my system out of all the frontline distros
Comapred to what the op has you have a Godly system :| . Furthermore just using Ubuntu as an example. You can customize it to run much more efficiently if you take the effort. Google Ubuntu for Speed and you should see an article exactly on it. I recall the person who created the article running Ubuntu GUtsy on a 450 Mhz laptop.