Needed: a free, lightweight version of Linux for a really old computer

[kronos6948]

This is for a computer that one of my co workers gave to me to fix for them. They don't have their XP key, and their system is seriously f'd. They want it just to be able to use the internet until they can get a netbook.

Anyway, it's an original Williamette P4, running at 1.4GHz, only 128 mb of RAM, and a 40GB HD.

The HD is making a whirring sound (obviously going to die soon), so I don't think putting a lot of effort into restoring this computer is worthwhile. But, the person who asked me to fix it really doesn't have much money, and I'd like to do him the favor of giving him something just to go online.

What distro of Linux would you recommend for someone just to double click on FireFox to access the internet?

[tokenuser]

This is for a computer that one of my co workers gave to me to fix for them. They don't have their XP key, and their system is seriously f'd. They want it just to be able to use the internet until they can get a netbook.

Anyway, it's an original Williamette P4, running at 1.4GHz, only 128 mb of RAM, and a 40GB HD.

The HD is making a whirring sound (obviously going to die soon), so I don't think putting a lot of effort into restoring this computer is worthwhile. But, the person who asked me to fix it really doesn't have much money, and I'd like to do him the favor of giving him something just to go online.

What distro of Linux would you recommend for someone just to double click on FireFox to access the internet?Ubuntu on a bootable CD would work.

[kronos6948]

Ubuntu on a bootable CD would work.

I have one, and I was going to install Ubuntu on his system, but I got a warning that said it needed at least 256mb of RAM.

[tokenuser]

I have one, and I was going to install Ubuntu on his system, but I got a warning that said it needed at least 256mb of RAM.Ah crap. Yeah. Anything with a GUI is going to be hard pressed to be useful in 128MB. Perfect for a headless router/asterix/server, but not so great as a desktop replacement.

[masherscf]

Does anyone still use slackware?

[rabidbadger]

Hmmm, good info here (http://www.linux.com/feature/52134), maybe?

[computoman]

I have one, and I was going to install Ubuntu on his system, but I got a warning that said it needed at least 256mb of RAM.

If you use the alternate install cd, you should not have a problem being all things are equal.
I personally prefer the net install disk and then install the lxde desktop. You could also consider xubuntu or mepis antix. Mepis antix automatcially sets you up for all the media stuff which ubuntu normally does not.

[computoman]

Does anyone still use slackware?

I do, but would not give it to a new user at least till they had their feet wet with linux..

[jdhore]

I'd recommend Crunchbang Linux, Fluxbuntu or Damn Small Linux (or Debian Stable with a light window manager like FVWM or something)

[kronos6948]

Allow me to simplify what the user would need:

A familair looking GUI and something to access the internet. Something that when he turns his computer on, he has an icon on his desktop to double click to connect him to the web. And codecs for video and audio. Him and his daughter plan to use it until he can afford at least a netbook.

[computoman]

Mepis antix is the way to go. The disk comes with a live interface you can play with it to decide whether to install it. Movies music will work out of the box without having to manually adding anything. People say that Mint which came from ubuntu is the same way, but I have not tried it yet. There is a web site call "thelip.net" that does an audio podcast of a variety of linux installs. You can to listen to those and get an idea of what way you might want to go. Besides they are free.. Though he has stopped adding podcasts, www.linuxreality.com is good for new linux users. There are people in the forums who are more than willing to be friendly to answer questions, I also posted a live help line for linux users some where in the forums. I may even use it myself, www.distrowatch.com lists the latest distros as they come out. there are also independent reviews of the different distros. this site is on my speed dial so to speak.

www.linuxforums.com
www.linuxquestions.org

[gta_bmx]

I wouldn't split hairs about getting some real tiny version of Linux that will run on 128mb of RAM. Just slap 256mb of RAM into the PC for them. I mean what does that cost these days? $5 off ebay or $10 at the local junk PC store? :) I mean come on. Then you can put a really nice OS on their system, Ubuntu. They may have to wait a tad while you score the RAM, but the wait is worth it. And think of all that time they'll save in the future by not being slowed down by 128mb of RAM.

[computoman]

They have jacked up the price of that old ram to drug dealer prices around here. You can buy a used whole computer for what retailers are charging for ram. The old pc stores are now hoarding old ram for repairs.

[gta_bmx]

Yeah they're also jacking up the prices (relative to what you get) for video cards that have AGP or PCI because not many vendors make them anymore, so they figure they have a captive customer base of people with old machines.

[kronos6948]

Well, got Antix on the system now, runs like a top.

Gave it back to the guy, and lo and behold, I forgot to check to see if it worked on teh intarwebz. So, he gets it home, and gets the message that the page he requested could not be found when he opens up the browser. Looks like I'll be bringing that old dog back here to see why it's not connecting.

My thoughts is that maybe it's a driver issue? Anyone else have any idea on what it could be?

[computoman]

Debian based distros are good about detecting hardwired networking. a brand new version of mepis antix just came out and the author is stating that wireless is much better supported now. I may give it a try with the wireless for grins. As long as the ipaddress and the domain is not static, there should not be a problem unless the nic is some oddball card even windows may not support.

[gta_bmx]

Well, got Antix on the system now, runs like a top.

Gave it back to the guy, and lo and behold, I forgot to check to see if it worked on teh intarwebz. So, he gets it home, and gets the message that the page he requested could not be found when he opens up the browser. Looks like I'll be bringing that old dog back here to see why it's not connecting.

My thoughts is that maybe it's a driver issue? Anyone else have any idea on what it could be?

Is your friend using wireless? I would guess no, since he's obviously not a power user.

[kronos6948]

Nah, he's using wired. DSL direct to his ethernet port. Hopefully he connected the correct wire to the ethernet port and didn't just run a phone line from his phone jack into his dialup phone port.

He's not the brightest bulb.