suggest a good OS for my old laptop

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apoorva84

In the zone
hi i have a very old laptop thats running windows 98se...its really slow and applications like firefox, opera, winamp take ages to start and run...hangs very frequently...

i tried using DSL(damn small linux) unfortunately, my graphics driver wasnt recognised by DSL and i was getting a hazy display, and i couldnt read anything on the screen.

i also googled "best os for old computers" and got a handful of useful links esp puppylinux,slax etc

i mainly use my old laptop to surf the net and read pdfs..occasionally listen to music...

i have a desktop, so this laptop isnt of much use, but still my dad wont let me dispose it..

i want something with the ease of use of windows and also something that runs fast and wont hang.

i am giving the link to my configuration(generated from cpu-z):*www.mediafire.com/?9bydwtgygtm

kindly help me out..
 
yogeshm.007

yogeshm.007

The real Bond
Keeping in view the configuration, i think you are better off keeping win 98.

To gain speed, format + install might help. Also *only* install the software you need.
 
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apoorva84

In the zone
^^^

i have installed only essential applications...opera browser, winamp,winrar, nod32 for win98se and foxit reader.

also, ccleaner which i use on a regular basis

apart from these applications, there isnt anything else on my laptop...

thats why i was wondering if there's a better and faster alternative to win98se.
 
gopz

gopz

In the zone
Some people might laugh at my suggestion, but why dont you try Win95 + office 98 + adobe reader 4

Assuming that the drivers are available :)
 
yogeshm.007

yogeshm.007

The real Bond
apoorva84 said:
^^^
i have installed only essential applications...opera browser, winamp,winrar, nod32 for win98se and foxit reader.

also, ccleaner which i use on a regular basis

apart from these applications, there isnt anything else on my laptop...

thats why i was wondering if there's a better and faster alternative to win98se.
Click to expand...
Try older version of opera and also make sure you use winamp 2.x. Even my PC cant run latest winamp in full glory.

NucleusKore said:
You can install Xubuntu. See it here
*xubuntu.org/home
Click to expand...
-1; I this that would be even slower on that machine...

BTW I just wonder if apoorva84 also has a PC, why would be still want to use that laptop; even if he cant dispose it off, he can just use the PC and let the Laptop in the showcase :cool:

Which OS did your laptop came with?
 
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yogeshm.007

yogeshm.007

The real Bond
yogeshm.007 said:
-1; I this that would be even slower on that machine...
Click to expand...
oh god, how come think become this ;)

NucleusKore said:
First try then think. See if you have a Linux User Group near you *wikiwikiweb.de/LugsList
Click to expand...
I'm not against linux in general. I myself am a linux user since 2002 and have been *only* using linux/openSUSE at home for the last 2-3 years ( probably the main reason why i've not kept track of registry tweaks for windows:) ). It was just the thing that given his configuration, xubuntu seems not the better option.

If he wants he can install xubuntu, who am i to stop him. BTW he at least will have to run a one program less on linux than on windows (the anti-virus, that is) :cool:
 
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apoorva84

In the zone
@nucleusKore: i will try xubuntu

@gopz:good suggestion:have to search the net for windows 95 now...obviously, i wont be able to get a legal version

@yogeshm: i use the laptop simply because i dont have to sit at the computer desk everytime i want to check my emails or browse the net...with the laptop i can relax on a sofa and do the same....but more importantly, i am using the old laptop now cause there's some problem with my pc..apparently the motherboard's I/O is gone and the service center is taking a while to repair it/replace it.
 
MetalheadGautham

MetalheadGautham

AFK
never, EVER, install Xubuntu as an OS for slow computers. It may be lighter than Ubuntu, but thats about it. Its barely faster.

I recomend Vector Linux, but its only for those people who are experienced with linux. Its learning curve is a week long, so if you are inexperienced with linux, prepare to suffer for one week.

Vector is faster than Damn Small Linux if you plan to use windows 98 like hardware. It also looks great, and the way Xfce is packaged in it, its much MUCH btter than Xubuntu.

You have www.linuxpackages.net for all your program needs in Vector Linux. That website offers you everything, from 99% of the programs to even a support forum where you can discuss about programs, ask help with using programs, get advice, etc.

But then again, the overall learning curve is expected to be a week.
 
nitish_mythology

nitish_mythology

OSS Enthusiast!
Even I am searching for a perfect Distro for my 'Cyrix 4'.. rayraven recommended me Zenwalk.
Even I am new to Linux so fear the learning curve!
 
M

mehulved

18 Till I Die............
try FVWM on ubuntu and disable unnecessary services.

I have a good idea. Send me an old PC, I will do the RnD and tell you poeple. I don't have access to such a hardware :(
 
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M

mehulved

18 Till I Die............
apoorva84 said:
i tried using DSL(damn small linux) unfortunately, my graphics driver wasnt recognised by DSL and i was getting a hazy display, and i couldnt read anything on the screen.
Click to expand...
Try vesa or vga drivers
apoorva84 said:
i am giving the link to my configuration(generated from cpu-z):*www.mediafire.com/?9bydwtgygtm

kindly help me out..
Click to expand...
I don't see any info regarding the graphics chipset. If you can give output of lspci from the terminal.
And I think you should definitely give Puppy a try.
 
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apoorva84

In the zone
@aditya.shevade====yes, i read somewhere on the net that debian + openbox will be fast...

@MetalheadGautham=====already tried DSL.havent heard of this vector linux, but then again just like nitish, i think getting a hang of things itself will take time...

@iMav====have to download SLAX today and try it...

@mehulved====i cant see anything on the screen when i boot DSL, it looks blurred and hazy, so, i cant do anything,so your suggestion of trying VGA drivers wont work here..

secondly, my graphics module----neomagic magicgraph 128XD

@gopz=====got a link to download windows 95 iso, definitely not legal...hopefully this should solve my problem..if not, i'll experiment with the different flavours of linux already mentioned...
 
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