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What version of linux for old PC?

  • 07-07-2008 8:13pm
    #1
    QuadLeo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 625 ✭✭✭


    I want to try my first attempt at installing and running linux. I have and old PC lying around that I want to use. It's an Intel P4 3GHz, 1.5 GB RAM. I think I'd like to run Fedora. Will the newest version (version 9) work with my processor? Or will I need to use an older version.

    Also, what's the best procedure for installation. Remove windows and install, or just run the fedora install disk?


Comments

  • #2
    PogMoThoin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,874 ✭✭✭✭PogMoThoin


    Actually thats a pretty well spec'd pc, Pentium4 isn't that old. Sometimes the parts in an older pc are better upported as they've been around longer and drivers are available for them.

    Just run the cd and pick the option to take the whole drive this will re-format. Although honestly if its your first venture in2 linux, i'd suggest you use Ubuntu or Mint as the support on the forums is great.


  • #3
    QuadLeo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 625 ✭✭✭QuadLeo


    Will do. Thanks.


  • #4
    QuadLeo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 625 ✭✭✭QuadLeo


    One more question. What version will I download. Version 9 is the latest but there are 3 options i386, x86_64, or ppc. I'm thinking x86_64 for some reason. Can anybody clear it up for me?


  • #5
    PogMoThoin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,874 ✭✭✭✭PogMoThoin


    Mint is actually 95% Ubuntu, its more polished with nicer themes, with all the codecs, plugins etc already installed, Would save you alot of bother. Its actually lovely, I use it on my laptop and prefer it over Ubuntu.


  • #6
    Thomas_S_Hunterson
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,151 ✭✭✭Thomas_S_Hunterson


    QuadLeo wrote: »
    One more question. What version will I download. Version 9 is the latest but there are 3 options i386, x86_64, or ppc. I'm thinking x86_64 for some reason. Can anybody clear it up for me?

    No, i386 for a Pentium 4 AFAIK

    The x86_64 is for a 64 bit CPU, and ppc is for a PowerPC which used to be in macs.


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  • #7
    deRanged
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,744 ✭✭✭deRanged


    QuadLeo wrote: »
    . I'm thinking x86_64 for some reason.
    no - that would be for 64-bit.
    you want i386.


  • #8
    QuadLeo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 625 ✭✭✭QuadLeo


    Ok. i386 it is. Can't decide on which option now. Mint looks nice but it's a very small 690MB D/L compared with 3.5GB Fedora. What's the difference?


  • #9
    Thomas_S_Hunterson
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,151 ✭✭✭Thomas_S_Hunterson


    QuadLeo wrote: »
    Ok. i386 it is. Can't decide on which option now. Mint looks nice but it's a very small 690MB D/L compared with 3.5GB Fedora. What's the difference?

    I haven't installed either before but I'm guessing that fedora comes with 7/8 desktop environments, and everything needed for any install you could imagine (file/web server or desktop or whatever) along with several applications for many different functions (maybe 6 media players, several web browsers, im clients, word processors etc etc).

    If you want to have loads of choice to find apps you like, go with fedora. Mint will probably significantly cut down and a bit easier to handle.


  • #10
    ethernet
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,568 ✭✭✭ethernet


    QuadLeo wrote: »
    Ok. i386 it is. Can't decide on which option now. Mint looks nice but it's a very small 690MB D/L compared with 3.5GB Fedora. What's the difference?
    The 3.5 GB image is great for people on dial-up (once they get their hands on the DVD, that is!) as it negates the need to have an Internet connection to install many packages. However, it's just as easy to download them as you want to install them. It's not all that likely that a typical user would end up using the majority of the extra packages on the DVD.


  • #11
    QuadLeo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 625 ✭✭✭QuadLeo


    Sure I'll try mint for starters and take it from there. Thanks for the advice.


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  • #12
    An Fear Aniar
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,377 ✭✭✭An Fear Aniar


    Xubuntu is a slimmer version of Ubuntu - supposed to be best for older machines.


    .


  • #13
    PogMoThoin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,874 ✭✭✭✭PogMoThoin


    An Fear Aniar wrote: »
    Xubuntu is a slimmer version of Ubuntu - supposed to be best for older machines.


    .

    A pentium 4 isn't really that old and with 1.5Gb ram is faster than many laptops sold today. This Celeron laptop i'm using at the moment which is running Mint on, is 1.8Ghz and has 512MB ram. It'll run fine.


  • #14
    An Fear Aniar
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,377 ✭✭✭An Fear Aniar


    PogMoThoin wrote: »
    A pentium 4 isn't really that old and with 1.5Gb ram is faster than many laptops sold today. This Celeron laptop i'm using at the moment which is running Mint on, is 1.8Ghz and has 512MB ram. It'll run fine.

    Do you use Compiz desktop effects? That would eat a lot of ram.


    .


  • #15
    PogMoThoin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,874 ✭✭✭✭PogMoThoin


    An Fear Aniar wrote: »
    Do you use Compiz desktop effects? That would eat a lot of ram.


    .

    No, not on the laptop, the basic ones are enabled tho, in simple compizconfig settings I've it set to medium. I have the rotating cube etc, but i not use it much. I also use the black theme which seems lighter on ram for some reason. I've no problem opening 6-8 boards.ie tabs together.


  • #16
    Hotblack Desiato
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 35,575 ✭✭✭✭Hotblack Desiato


    QuadLeo wrote: »
    I want to try my first attempt at installing and running linux. I have and old PC lying around that I want to use. It's an Intel P4 3GHz, 1.5 GB RAM. I think I'd like to run Fedora. Will the newest version (version 9) work with my processor? Or will I need to use an older version.

    LOL, that's not an old PC...
    I have the latest version of openSUSE (11.0) with full KDE3.5 desktop on an eight year old Athlon 750MHz with 512MB RAM. It's not the quickest, but usable.

    Scrap the cap!



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