need help

Hi all,

I have a old P3 1000mhz with a 40gb hd and 384mb ram computer sitting in my basement, and I always wanted to test out Linux. I was wondering, could I install Linux on this old beast? What would be the best version of it? I would like to keep it free . I have another question too, would I have to update it all the time? I heard that Linux is constantly needing updated, true or false? I dont want to do anything really special with it, just try it out, and if I dont like it, I'll scarp it and give the computer to goodwill. Thanks for all your help

 

That computer should easily be able to handle Linux. If you want network/Internet connectivity, you may want to check for Linux drivers from the manufacturer or if the distribution supports the card.

A list of popular distributions and answers to future questions can be found here.

Does this computer have a DVD drive installed? If it does, you can get either the distro on CD or DVD. If going with CDs, generally, having the first 3 only should be ok to complete the installation, otherwise just the first DVD should be ok.

Yes, it does need updating, but so does Windows. Whereas Microsoft tends to release updates on a schedule, depending on the distro you choose, a fix for a vulnerability may be released just days after discovery.

Hope this helps

 

Im going to try this "live cd" thing first. Thanks for the info

anyone else have any recommendations?

 

hehe, Im in Linux right now I think I might install it on my second HD in the new computer.

 

Congratulations, 8Ball...I looked at the time for your posts...you did that quickly which should give you some idea of how easy Linux is. Just curious, which distro did you use?

 

I just tried out Ubuntu. Plus it wouldn't have take nearly as long, if I wouldn't have downloaded the mac version first

 

Nice job getting that done so fast.

An early Christmas present for you.

Enjoy

 

ty

 

dp

I have a question, in my new computer I have a little 10gb hd that I use for music, can I install Linux on that hd and make it boot to it?

 

Yes, but you'd have to repartition that 10gb hd (either resizing the current partition, or format the 10gb hd and start fresh).

Basically, you'd go through the install normally, except selecting the second drive to install on. You'll have a choice between using LILO/GRUB or the Windows boot manager. LILO/GRUB would be easier to setup, but if you decide to remove Linux, the manager will probably still remain.

If you want to use the Windows boot manager, then you can check the instructions here and in place of it saying 2nd partition, it would be 2nd hd (and then whichever partition from there).

Hopefully that isn't too terribly confusing, but if it is, I won't be near a computer again until approx Dec 30 to check your progress.

Good luck and happy holidays