What Linux distro should I put on my old PC?

Question

It's actually not mine, it's my parent's PC. It's a Dell (I'll give the specs in a min.) that's about 8 years old. It runs Windows XP, but super slow! I was going to try and put Linux Mint on it, but I was told it wouldn't help any.
Here are it's specs:
-1.8 Pentium 4 Processor (Not Dual Core!!)
-256MB RAM (ram CAN'T be upgraded!!)
-I think 64MB of memory on the Video Card (It's an 8y/o NVidia. Not too sure of it's model/make)
-80GB HDD (I'm pretty sure it's an IDE)

So other then the Hard Drive, nothing, I repeat "NOTHING" can be upgraded!!

So what distro of Linux would be best for this old PC? I've heard "PuppyLinux" would be good.

Also, I need to make sure that the distro would have all the necessary Drivers to work with this PC. (It's 8 years old.... I can guaranty that I won't be able to find any drivers online!! XD )

So... Linux anyone?

Answer 1

Puppy Linux

http://www.puppylinux.org/

You'll be amazed by how fast it will run on that computer



It should come with almost all of the drivers you'll need (as do most Linux distros), but you will have to download the nvidia driver:

http://www.puppylinux.org/wiki/applications/dot-pets/nvidia-drivers-puppy

Answer 2

Dude, Jack, I have an OLD Compaq Presario 1800 that is presently running PCLinuxOS 2007 just fine!



Here is the computer ....with specs:



http://www.dealtime.com/xPF-Compaq-Presario-1800-21301620



I suggest you get Bootable CDs of whatever distros you want or think the thing can run and try them on the computer. Bootables run a bit slower than the OS installed on a hard drive, but if the computer will run the bootable, then it will run the OS from the hard drive even BETTER!



In addition to which, if that puter is running XP, albeit a bit slow...due to XP issues, possibly?... then it should be able to run anything up to and including Kubuntu 7.04 Feisty Fawn! My XP desktop runs that from Bootable just fine. I simply like PCLOS better because it IS lighter on resources.



Get PCLOS here:



http://www.pclinuxos.com/



For info on other distros see:



http://distrowatch.com



Find yourself a Linux User Group here:



http://www.linux.org/groups/



and attend some meetings. They'll be glad to help you migrate that laptop to the penguin. My LUG has been invaluable to me.



I hope this helps. Good Luck! :)



....

Answer 3

Xubuntu, from the makers of Ubuntu Linux, is specifically designed for use on older PCs with limited hardware. The only caveat is the PC's BIOS firmware must be newer than 1999-2000. Looks like XP.



It does run as a "Live CD", so you can test ALL your hardware before you try to install it on your hard drive.



Get it here:



FreeSpire Linux (Looks like Vista) is also worth a look:



FYI: I had FreeSpire running on a DELL Pentium III with 512MB of RAM, and an nVidia MX400 (and downloaded driver), so 256 MB RAM may not be enough.



Both are excellent choices for "WIndows Switchers".

Answer 4

You like Linux Mint, then I thoroughly recommend Linux Mint 5 Fluxbox. It should run blisteringly fast on that machine http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=29



LUg.