Linux mini-distro for 486

lemonadesoda · Aug 12, 2007

I'm an NT expert, but a linux newbie. I'd appreciate any tips for the following machine.

1./ Old compaq laptop 486/75Mhz 16MB RAM

2./ Currently running WFW 3.11

3./ Want to upgrade OS to slightly more modern but needs to operate with this older machine with limited RAM

4./ My options seem to be (based on minimum spec. requirements): NT 4.0, Windows 95 OSR2.5, or a very small "linux distro".

Do you have any tips? Most of the linux distros require 128MB and P3. Can anyone suggest anything for this old 486? If not, I think I'll try NT 4.0 since it is "inbetween" win95 and win98.

Wile E · Aug 12, 2007

I think damn small linux may be what you're after. http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/

Dippyskoodlez · Aug 12, 2007

Wile E said:
I think damn small linux may be what you're after. http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/

Yep linux may be your only option.

Windows 3.11 was damn cool tho :rockout:

With only 16mb of ram, I would suggest as little GUI as possible.

Dandel · Aug 12, 2007

it's going to be sort of hard to find something for that machine.

Here's some things to note.

1) can you get some more ram, namely enough to bring that up to about 128mb, if you can, you can try puppy linux.

2) if you can't do that there are plenty of other operating systems you can try.
Reactos - Open source Windows, but keep in mind it's still alpha, but it's main aim is to be compatable with windows. ( can run on a 486 with 16mb of ram )
Syllable - yet another open source OS, but it will only run on pentium or better with at least 32 mb of ram)
FreeBSD - similair to linux on usability, but keep in mind that ram is the hitch on this operating system also.
Minuet OS - tiny operating system, no clue on what it can run on, but 486 is a possibility.

Dippyskoodlez · Aug 12, 2007

Dandel said:
1) can you get some more ram, namely enough to bring that up to about 128mb, if you can, you can try puppy linux.

Maximum will most likely be 64mb or less.

Especially if its a laptop.

7mm · Aug 21, 2007

I'm Kin'da Fresh To The Linux Too, But I've Heard So Far About Xubuntu Linux, As It's Made For Older Systems. Sure DSL (Damn Small Linux) Is Always Going To Be Your 1st Option.

System Name	ICE-QUAD // ICE-CRUNCH
Processor	Q6600 // 2x Xeon 5472
Memory	2GB DDR // 8GB FB-DIMM
Video Card(s)	HD3850-AGP // FireGL 3400
Display(s)	2 x Samsung 204Ts = 3200x1200
Audio Device(s)	Audigy 2
Software	Windows Server 2003 R2 as a Workstation now migrated to W10 with regrets.

System Name	The ClusterF**k
Processor	980X @ 4Ghz
Motherboard	Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD5 BIOS F12
Cooling	MCR-320, DDC-1 pump w/Bitspower res top (1/2" fittings), Koolance CPU-360
Memory	3x2GB Mushkin Redlines 1600Mhz 6-8-6-24 1T
Video Card(s)	Evga GTX 580
Storage	Corsair Neutron GTX 240GB, 2xSeagate 320GB RAID0; 2xSeagate 3TB; 2xSamsung 2TB; Samsung 1.5TB
Display(s)	HP LP2475w 24" 1920x1200 IPS
Case	Technofront Bench Station
Audio Device(s)	Auzentech X-Fi Forte into Onkyo SR606 and Polk TSi200's + RM6750
Power Supply	ENERMAX Galaxy EVO EGX1250EWT 1250W
Software	Win7 Ultimate N x64, OSX 10.8.4

System Name	Dell XPS 15 9560
Processor	I7-7700HQ
Memory	32GB DDR4
Video Card(s)	GTX 1050/1080 Ti
Storage	1TB SSD
Display(s)	2x Dell P2715Q/4k Internal
Case	Razer Core
Audio Device(s)	Creative E5/Objective 2 Amp/Senn HD650
Mouse	Logitech Proteus Core
Keyboard	Logitech G910

Processor	AMD Athlon II X4 630 (3.5ghz)
Motherboard	GIGABYTE GA-MA790XT-UD4P
Cooling	Sunbeam Core-Contact Freezer
Memory	2x2g A-Data DDR3 1600
Video Card(s)	XFX Radeon HD5770
Case	Coolermaster HAF 932
Power Supply	FSP FX600-GLN
Software	Win7 x64 pro

System Name	Dell XPS 15 9560
Processor	I7-7700HQ
Memory	32GB DDR4
Video Card(s)	GTX 1050/1080 Ti
Storage	1TB SSD
Display(s)	2x Dell P2715Q/4k Internal
Case	Razer Core
Audio Device(s)	Creative E5/Objective 2 Amp/Senn HD650
Mouse	Logitech Proteus Core
Keyboard	Logitech G910

Linux mini-distro for 486

lemonadesoda

Wile E

Power User

Dippyskoodlez

Dandel

New Member

Dippyskoodlez

7mm

System Name	Chip
Processor	AMD FX 4100 @ 3.60 GHz (2 x 2MB L2, 8MB L3)
Motherboard	BIOSTAR 880GZ (850 SB)
Cooling	Stock AMD
Memory	2GB + 4GB @ 1333MHz
Video Card(s)	Color Master AMD Radeon HD 5570 1GB DDR3
Storage	WD Green 2TB (SATA 2.0)
Display(s)	20" Samsung SyncMaster 2033sw (15000:1)
Case	Regular White
Audio Device(s)	OnBoard : Realtek Integrated Digital HD Audio
Power Supply	ATX UMAX 550W
Software	Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit