How to get started in LINUX

[tightcoat]

I have an old computer that was running Win 98.  It seems to be very messed up.  I have another post about that elsewhere here.  But I have had a curiosity about linux for a while.
I think this is a 386 I don't know how fast it is or how much memory it has. 

Can I convert to linux?  How do I get started.
Right now I can't get Win 98 to open.

[BC_Programmer]

I think this is a 386 I don't know how fast it is or how much memory it has. 

It's not a 386. Windows 98 refuses to install or run on a 386.

You are going to have to find out the processor model, speed, and the amount of memory before any relevant recommendations can be made, however, a computer from the windows 98 era will be unlikely to run any of the later, more "user friendly" Linux desktop Operating Systems.

(Edit: except puppy linux and DSL (*censored* small linux) those seem to run on nearly anything)

[tightcoat]

That was quick.  I've seen this *censored* in several posts about linux.  Can you give me a hint as to the unacceptable word so I can start to look for it?  I'm serious here. I really don't have a clue.  Noe of the words I can think of seem to fit the context.

So can I download the operating system on this machine and burn a disk that will load the system and get the  old computer to boot?  How do I start.

I have a nephew who swears by linux.  He is incommunicado right now or I think he would help me.

[BC_Programmer]

That was quick.  I've seen this *censored* in several posts about linux.  Can you give me a hint as to the unacceptable word so I can start to look for it?  I'm serious here. I really don't have a clue.  Noe of the words I can think of seem to fit the context.

heh, I forgot about that, I have censoring shut off in my profile.

Think, "Dang Small Linux", but instead of Dang, the things beavers make

So can I download the operating system on this machine and burn a disk that will load the system and get the  old computer to boot?  How do I start.

That should work. Here are the download pages for the appropriate ISO disc images:

Puppy Linux: http://puppylinux.org/main/index.php?file=Download%20Latest%20Release.htm

DSL:http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/download.html

Basically, you burn the disk, and I believe these are "live" CDs, which means that when you boot from the disc it starts a fully operational version of the OS. If you want to install it, most have a desktop icon to install it to your hard drive.


There are a lot of distros out there but most of them (Ubuntu, Mint, Fedora, etc) cater to more modern PCs, and don't run quite as well on an older machine. I'm sure there are other usable distributions other then Puppy and DSL, too.

[Salmon Trout]

heh, I forgot about that, I have censoring shut off in my profile.

Think, "Dang Small Linux", but instead of Dang, the things beavers make

You N Americans make me laugh with your "*censored* is a swear word".

[BC_Programmer]

You N Americans make me laugh with your "*censored* is a swear word".

 

[Salmon Trout]

Nobody else censors (or offers to censor) "*censored*" and "*censored*".

[BC_Programmer]

Nobody else censors (or offers to censor) "*censored*" and "*censored*".

It's the forum software. I don't even think you can even configure which words are and are not considered "bad". Not sure though, and too lazy to check.

[Salmon Trout]

It's the forum software. I don't even think you can even configure which words are and are not considered "bad".

And the software was written where? Anyhow, you see Americans writing "H-ll" in uncensored forums, like it was 1850 again.

Anyhow...

http://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?topic=301484.0

[BC_Programmer]

And the software was written where? Anyhow, you see Americans writing "H-ll" in uncensored forums, like it was 1850 again.

quite clbuttic. 

[tightcoat]

BC_Programmer, thank you very much for the clues and for the help.

OK, 

I downloaded and burned DSL (Let the reader understand)  It worked.  I have only run it off the cd so far.
I also learned a little more of what the computer has under the hood
Pentium III
500 MHz
I think 128 K RAM

So now what kind of linux can I run.  I just as well jump in with both feet.

Since I can't get Windows 98 to open is there a way to reformat the hard drive and start over with the new OS?  This computer is probably 11 years old, has always worked just fine until last week and that was my fault.  I can't imagine that there are any old files that I have not loaded over to my current computer.  It is at least 4 years old and if I haven't needed them yet I probably won't.  All I do on this is surf.  It isn't in the room where the real work happens.

Like I said I am green to all this linux stuff but have been curious and so now must be the right time.

[BC_Programmer]

To install it to the HD, there is usually a desktop icon you start after DSL finishes loading and shows the desktop. It will act as a "wizard" of sorts to install it to the HD.

[Cityscape]

BC_Programmer, thank you very much for the clues and for the help.

OK, 

I downloaded and burned DSL (Let the reader understand)  It worked.  I have only run it off the cd so far.
I also learned a little more of what the computer has under the hood
Pentium III
500 MHz
I think 128 K RAM

So now what kind of linux can I run.  I just as well jump in with both feet.

Since I can't get Windows 98 to open is there a way to reformat the hard drive and start over with the new OS?  This computer is probably 11 years old, has always worked just fine until last week and that was my fault.  I can't imagine that there are any old files that I have not loaded over to my current computer.  It is at least 4 years old and if I haven't needed them yet I probably won't.  All I do on this is surf.  It isn't in the room where the real work happens.

Like I said I am green to all this linux stuff but have been curious and so now must be the right time.

If your computer does have a 500 Mhz CPU then I personally would run Lubuntu (http://lubuntu.net/). Lubuntu will run slower than *censored* Small Linux but it will be much better supported in terms of programs and is easier to use. It is a very lightweight version of the most popular Linux distro Ubuntu. I would recommend it for beginners over any other lightweight distro because it has one of the best user support communities. If you have problems with it there will be lots of users online who could help you fix them at http://ubuntuforums.org/. If you use *censored* Small Linux it'll be a lot harder to find help.

[SilentAssasin64]

Like Cityscape said, LUbuntu would work on that machine.  XUbuntu would probably work as well.

As mentioned, the community support for the various Ubuntu spin-offs is top notch.

I haven't used DSL or Puppy Linux is ages, so I can't really comment on how well they've been doing as of late.  I just know DSL is still one of the most popular full out-of-the-box distros (full meaning ready to go after you install it, not like Arch or Gentoo). 

[Cityscape]

XUbuntu would probably work as well.

It may be but it would be really slow, the OP would be better off Lubuntu. I've tried Lubuntu and it is quite nice.