want to install Linux on 486, 8 MB RAM

[kazoo]

I've been investigating Linux for a few months now, and had planned to put it on this old IBM ThinkPad as a way to get started with Linux. I can't figure out how to get Linux onto the thing.

Here's what I have:
486 with Windows 3.1
8 MB RAM
about 700 MB hard disk space
3.5" floppy drive
2 PCMCIA slots
phone line modem

I have an external CD drive that connects via the PCMCIA slot, but I can't get Windows to recognize it. I tried to put Damn Small Linux on it by copying from floppy, but couldn't get it to work. Re: the ext CD drive, I think I have some port assignment messed up, b/c it won't recognize it. Re: the modem, I have cable internet, which as far as I know, I can't connect to with an old fashioned phone modem. I have an Ethernet card for it, but again, the port assignments are messed up, I guess.

I'm perfectly willing to wipe Windows off the machine, if that would help. When I was trying to get it to recognize the cards, I got an error message saying I needed to insert the Windows 3.1 disk in order to continue. ARGH.

So I guess my question is: if I format the disk, wiping windows clean gone and starting over, can I get Linux onto the machine w/ the 3.5" floppy? My concern is that I can currently at least access the floppy, and I don't know if formatting the whole thing will keep me from doing that much.

[oz]

Here's a poll that was taken for favorite distros for older computer hardware:

http://www.linuxforums.org/forum/cof...-hardware.html

However, I don't think any distro will run on just 8 MB of RAM. Maybe someone will correct me if that's wrong. Some really old versions of a few distros might.

[kazoo]

Bummer! Well, maybe I should decide if spending a little $ for some ram is worth it. Maybe I should just sell all my old equipment (for like $10! ) and try to buy a newer old laptop. LOL.

[oz]

Here ya go...

Damn Small Linux claims it will run on a minimum of 8MB of RAM if you want a "command line only" box:

Minimum Hardware Requirements - DSL Wiki

[kazoo]

Right -- DSL, which I tried previously to install, but I was trying to do it with Windows 3.1. Soooo... my questions are:

1) could I install DSL if I wipe the hard drive clean? Having never done that, I don't have a concept of what it's like -- for example, if the computer will still recognize the floppy drive, thereby allowing me to install DSL.

2) The minimum requirements listed at that DSL webpage said I need a CD-ROM. I have a CD-ROM, but it's external (connects via PCMCIA card), so I don't think it's something I can count on to install DSL, right? When I tried to hook the CD drive up under Windows 3.1, that's when it said I needed the Windows 3.1 install disk, which I don't have. I guess this makes me a true POW (Prisoner of Windows)? LOL.

So if someone thought I could format my hard drive and install DSL via the floppy disk, and later hook up my CD drive via DSL, I would do it. Would I format the drive, and then reboot the computer w/ the boot floppy in the drive? Do I have to do something to the BIOS boot sequence stuff before I format?

[oz]

I'm pretty sure you'll need a working CD drive to install DSL.

However, Debian offers a floppy/network install:

Debian -- Booting from floppy disks and installing using the network

Not sure about hardware requirements with Debian, though.

[kiran_cyberpro]

Damn Small Linux will fit this configuration. I can boot DSL installed in my 128mb thumb-drive and with a old PC.

Regards, Kiran. K

[kazoo]

Thanks everyone for replying! I revisited the deli Linux page -- it said 16 MB ram required for graphical environment, which I would like to have, so I decided to get myself more RAM and was able to buy it for fairly little $$. If I can manage to install it then I'll revisit this page and go from there, maybe select a different Linux package since I'll have more RAM.

Thanks again for taking the time to reply.

[oz]

so I decided to get myself more RAM and was able to buy it for fairly little $$.

Good move, as that opens up other options. Post back if you have any other questions.