Linux Installation help needed?

1) I use Ubuntu. I think it is the best for most new users. I have tried many different distributions, because I like change, and I like to try new things. But I have never left Ubuntu. I can't find any that I like better. 2) You can install any version of Windows from XP downward. Every linux distribution in the world (that uses 32 bit processor) should work fine. Solaris I've not used, but should be similar to Linux specs. There is also BSD. 3) The difference between x86/64 and i386 is about the same as the difference between a four lane highway and a two lane highway. It doesn't affect the speed, but more traffic can flow at the same time (with 64 bit). The hardware, the OS, and the applications all have to be able to use 64 bit processing, in order to benefit from it. 4) Install videos can be found all over youtube, and on several other websites as well. There is a getting started guide for Ubuntu online. Also, there is a Linux Starter Pack you can download. I am putting the links below.

1) For god's sake, please DON'T use Ubuntu for this kind of PC. The installation will crash! Don't waste time downloading something which will fail (Like what happened to me). Lightweight ---------------- If you want an extremely lightweight Linux, I recommend Slax (If you have little Linux knowledge), Puppy Linux (If you've used Linux for a while) and Arch Linux (If you seriously know what you're doing). But if you don't want any graphics, go for Pocket Linux. Medium Weight ----------------------- One of my personal favorites are Gentoo. It has a nice interface, although it kinda requires a bit of Linux knowledge. Zenwalk is fast too, but not for newbies. What may be suitable for you is - Fedora! It runs beautifully on nearly everything. Extremely user friendly and very good for beginners. Open SUSE is also good as Fedora, maybe you might want to give that a try as well. Heavyweight ------------------ Do you just hate the fact you can't install Ubuntu on this machine? Well, there's XUbuntu. It targets for older computers like yours. You know what, my PC is just like yours only thing it has a 30GB hard disk instead of 60GB. But XUbuntu got boring after a while. It takes like 1.5 minutes just to start up. So, what do I recommend? Complete newbie = Fedora or Open SUSE Intermediate = Gentoo Linux Expert = Arch Linux Too complicated? Take the test here: http://www.zegeniestudios.net/ldc/index.php?select_lang=true 2) Windows XP requires roughly 128MB of ram. 256MB should run well. Linux, I've already explained above. Windows server? Sure, it will run. Solaris? Well, I'm not so sure my friend. ;) 3) x86 was a term used for the Intel 8086 processor series. Because they had the i086, i186, i286, i386, i486, i586 and the i686, the term x86 means that software can run on those kind of processors. In other words, it can be run on Intel machines. x64 is a term used for 64-bit processors. But you're using 32-bit. So don't download anything that has the word "64-bit" or "x64" in it. Download stuff like "x86" or "i(0-6)86". 4) Help? Fedora has all the help you need. :)

Puppy Linux would be a good choice. It's small enough to run in completely in RAM on that computer, but is also full-featured. You could also check out Slax.

1. You need a version of linux that can run on 256 MB ram. That will limit you to one of the lighter versions. See the first link below for some ideas. 2. Xp = yes windows server not on 256 MB ram linux; see #1. solaris not according to the solaris website. See the second link. 3. x86/64 is the 64 bit version of cpus and software. i386 is the 32 bit version. See the third link. 4. This is the most important question. When you decide which version of linux you are going to install google for the name of that linux and you will find a lot of instructions on how to install and run linux. You can also google for any youtube videos for that version of linux. Good luck

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