Linux on old pooter

Just a quick query guys, my Mum's computer is a hundred years old, running Win 2K and only has 260,528MB RAM whatever that means in MB or GB :roll:

A few people have suggested putting Linux on it, as apparently it takes up less space than Microsoft and works quite well on older machines. And the best bit I like the sound of, its free!

She only does basic surfing, email, YooToob / vids / music etc.

Any thoughts?

Linux is an acquired taste. I used to dual boot with it on a couple of machines but never used it. You are right in what you say that it will be less resource hungry than Windows. I do wonder though how your mum would get on with it as it's quite different.

Linux is pretty unique in that you can download a 'live' version that you can run from CD/DVD to see if you like it without making any changes to your PC. If you decide you like it you install it. :drink:

It's been a while since I used it but PClinux OS was my favourite at the time.

If you have a 100 year old computer you should sell it to a museum you will get millions for it......

Seriously though......I have dabbled a lot with Linux, using the Ubuntu distro, but because I use Windows at work I have always resorted back to using Windows, but my home PC duel boots to Ubuntu or win7.

Linux is very good, fast to startup, fast to close down (compared to Windows) and once it is running is very good. Some of the graphic things it can do with the desktop makes Windows look antiquated (search youtube for ubuntu compiz). The great thing about it is that it is free, and just about all the software you can want is also free.

There is a slight learning curve, as it is a little bit different to windows, and I still cant get Skype working properly on my "old" desktop PC, but works ok on a newer laptop, (some sort of problem with drivers not being compatable, I think).

For older machines Linux can give them a new lease of life, your never going to play fast games on them, but run of the mill surfing, music etc will work fine.

Hmmm, thanks, confirms most of what others have said. I'm sure me Mum will get used to it, she will only need to know how to switch it on/off and go surfing, she's a bright ol' thing really

So I can download it to my PC, burn a disc, stick it in Mum's PC and boot from that?

So I can download it to my PC, burn a disc, stick it in Mum's PC and boot from that?[i][/i]

Yes.

Make sure she has backed up any important data before hand though.

Ubuntu is the most popular Lixux distribution for people looking to convert from Windows. There is a handy installation and startup guide here... http://www.ubuntupocketguide.com/index_main.html (free pdf download)

Ta, think I'm gonna do that then and see how it goes

sorry to jumpin here , i was given a window 7 that keep saying wasnt guenuine now this has bugged me the linux would i be able to run my laptop on this without issues using forums,youtube facebook

linux will run all the things you say, but some video play back eg youtube doesnt work straight away after instal as some video codecs are not approved. But it is a simple matter of downloading the codecs so most video formats will play.

may be linux be better than windows 7

this thread reminded me that i had got a ubuntu disk so i though i would give it a go again

so im running straight from the disk and its pretty good really seem quicker than windows

I just got Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2010 for less than £40 for two machines and can get Windows 7 for the same :wink:

All you need is to know a student (stepson is in 6th form :wink:

) and I bought it as his parent, so all is legit :dance:

http://www.software4students.co.uk/

Bargain

I'm a heavy linux user so would definately recommend it however as said there is quite a learning curve, if all she wants to do is browse then net some word processing etc it will be ideal as there are installation cd's out there that will get you up and running in no time. Ubuntu is a popular choice for ease of setup.

Last edited by Kevin1964 on Sat Jan 01, 2011 3:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Only thing i found with linux was my graffix card..Works fine on windows 7 but not on linux linux & linux won't even allow my to play youtube vids...

..I was under the impression SKYPE services had been hyjacked and now out of action for the time being....I tried to download SKYPE on my computer but the site informs i cant ..THIS section i quoted but below was the original post i quoted on but some how its all gone wrong with the quote from me..SOZ :oops:

Seriously though......I have dabbled a lot with Linux, using the Ubuntu distro, but because I use Windows at work I have always resorted back to using Windows, but my home PC duel boots to Ubuntu or win7.

Linux is very good, fast to startup, fast to close down (compared to Windows) and once it is running is very good. Some of the graphic things it can do with the desktop makes Windows look antiquated (search youtube for ubuntu compiz). The great thing about it is that it is free, and just about all the software you can want is also free.

There is a slight learning curve, as it is a little bit different to windows, and I still cant get Skype working properly on my "old" desktop PC, but works ok on a newer laptop, (some sort of problem with drivers not being compatable, I think).

For older machines Linux can give them a new lease of life, your never going to play fast games on them, but run of the mill surfing, music etc will work fine.[/quote]