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OS for low end computer

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Started by Bloodhound, Feb 05 2012 03:57 AM

70 replies to this topic

#1
Bloodhound
Posted 05 February 2012 - 03:57 AM

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So I'm looking for an operating system that can run under 256 MB of RAM and a 533 MHz processor and that can be booted or installed from USB (preffered) I've seen many but don't know what's best. Its for my dad and he usually just surfs the internet to check mail.
Everybody put three fingers in the air. The sky is falling, the wind is calling, stand for something or die in the morning. Section 80. HiiiPower.

#2
Bloodhound
Posted 05 February 2012 - 05:09 AM

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Or if anybody can help me fix an error with explorer.exe at startup on WindowsCE that doesn't allow me to use the netbook anymore.
Everybody put three fingers in the air. The sky is falling, the wind is calling, stand for something or die in the morning. Section 80. HiiiPower.

#3
Vonix
Posted 05 February 2012 - 06:38 AM

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Have you tried Ubuntu?
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#4
iGhost
Posted 05 February 2012 - 06:56 AM

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Don't use ubuntu, but i recommend CentOs and google some others.
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#5
B4NND1T
Posted 05 February 2012 - 07:09 AM

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Damn Small Linux
aka DSL 
-----BEGIN GEEK CODE BLOCK-----
Version: 1.3 - GM d- s+:- a-- C++(++++) 
UBLS*+++ P+ L++ E? W++ N+ o-- K w++ 
O- M- V- PS+++ PE Y+ PGP t 5 X+ R+ 
tvn+ b++ DI-- D++ G+ e h r++ y+
------END GEEK CODE BLOCK------

#6
Bloodhound
Posted 05 February 2012 - 07:47 AM

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Nevermind. I can't boot from USB. Going to the trash.
Everybody put three fingers in the air. The sky is falling, the wind is calling, stand for something or die in the morning. Section 80. HiiiPower.

#7
d12345678910111213nn
Posted 05 February 2012 - 09:43 AM

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Why wouldn't you be able to boot from usb? If you can it's worth installing linux, but deffinitely not ubuntu, it's one of the most heavy weight distros I've ever used. If you want an intermediate challenge I'd try arch linux, you get to start from a simple base linux install then choose what you want so it isn't cluttered. You could also try puppy linux and all of those other light weight/feature distros.

#8
d3m0nwu1f
Posted 05 February 2012 - 09:49 AM

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One older motherboards don't support this because at the time of their release people weren't doing it so it was cheaper to leave it out.

You may be able to enable it by entering bios and reshuffling the boot order to put USB up top on the list

#9
d12345678910111213nn
Posted 05 February 2012 - 09:56 AM

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You could update your bios too.

Anyways, I just realized Ubuntu's the Windows of Linux.

#10
Bloodhound
Posted 05 February 2012 - 03:44 PM

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There's no bios from what I can see and arch Linux is too complicated for a man like my father. I would have already entered bios and changed the boot priority if I could.
Everybody put three fingers in the air. The sky is falling, the wind is calling, stand for something or die in the morning. Section 80. HiiiPower.

#11
d3m0nwu1f
Posted 05 February 2012 - 05:08 PM

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Last solution, and really, last resort would be to use another pc to install the OS to a hard disk, then transfer the hard disk to the little computer.

This would install it but may cause errors unless you can get a network connection to get the correct drivers

#12
Chris230291
Posted 05 February 2012 - 05:13 PM

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can you install via SSH?

id just install on the HD from a different machine. i heard that will cause problems with windows though.

Download iForum X Here

#13
d3m0nwu1f
Posted 05 February 2012 - 05:17 PM

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How would you run SSH with no operating system on the target computer?

#14
B4NND1T
Posted 05 February 2012 - 05:19 PM

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View PostBloodhound, on 05 February 2012 - 03:44 PM, said:

There's no bios from what I can see and arch Linux is too complicated for a man like my father. I would have already entered bios and changed the boot priority if I could.
I'm reasonably sure there has to be a BIOS. May need to flash it though. 
-----BEGIN GEEK CODE BLOCK-----
Version: 1.3 - GM d- s+:- a-- C++(++++) 
UBLS*+++ P+ L++ E? W++ N+ o-- K w++ 
O- M- V- PS+++ PE Y+ PGP t 5 X+ R+ 
tvn+ b++ DI-- D++ G+ e h r++ y+
------END GEEK CODE BLOCK------

#15
Bloodhound
Posted 05 February 2012 - 05:24 PM

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Thanks for the help. But I don't think I wanna go through more difficulties above my level.
Everybody put three fingers in the air. The sky is falling, the wind is calling, stand for something or die in the morning. Section 80. HiiiPower.

#16
Chris230291
Posted 05 February 2012 - 05:33 PM

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View PostWolvy, on 05 February 2012 - 05:17 PM, said:

How would you run SSH with no operating system on the target computer?


he said he had windows CE.
i use SSH to update my linux media player and install stuff.

Download iForum X Here

#17
iGhost
Posted 05 February 2012 - 05:34 PM

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View PostBloodhound, on 05 February 2012 - 05:24 PM, said:

Thanks for the help. But I don't think I wanna go through more difficulties above my level.
Make a chameleon USB :3
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#18
Chris230291
Posted 05 February 2012 - 05:36 PM

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yes but if his hardware isn't capable of booting from a USB, then it's no good.

Download iForum X Here

#19
Bloodhound
Posted 05 February 2012 - 05:40 PM

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Damn netbooks without CD drives. Lol.
Everybody put three fingers in the air. The sky is falling, the wind is calling, stand for something or die in the morning. Section 80. HiiiPower.

#20
Chris230291
Posted 05 February 2012 - 06:25 PM

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well if your installing linux for him, just take the drive out and install on it from another machine.

only do that if you definitely cant boot from an external source.

Download iForum X Here

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