Which installation

[bigpappajohn1984]

I am currently running Windows XP on a laptop that is a Dell Inspiron B120 with a 1.4 GHZ and 248 MB or RAM. Would a Linux Distro work on this computer? Or am I better off just totally upgrading systems?

[nujinini]

I am currently running Windows XP on a laptop that is a Dell Inspiron B120 with a 1.4 GHZ and 248 MB or RAM. Would a Linux Distro work on this computer? Or am I better off just totally upgrading systems?

Hi bigpappajohn1984!

Yes that machine can pretty well run on Linux. You can perhaps take a look at this thread to help you make your choice.

http://www.linuxforums.org/forum/cof...-2010-a-3.html

You don't have to upgrade your systems to make it run smoothly on linux. Not unless you really are up to a systems upgrade. I would defer to the wisdom of the gurus regarding this point however.

[bigpappajohn1984]

I am familiar with Jaunty Jackelope (Ubuntu) but which distro do you think would be good for this machine?

It looks like arch would be a good selection, but I have never used that before, and would like to get the best Linux distro, for the machine....

[rokytnji]

Jaunty Jackelope (Ubuntu)

On my 248 mb of ran laptop which is a IBM A22 model. Ubuntu was to heavy for the ram and it ran like molasses. It will install. But I wouldn't use a gnome desktop or even KDE or even XFCE on that Laptop. If you want Ubuntu you might want to look at something like Mint 9 LXDE


Edsit: Found LXDE version of Ubuntu 9.10 download.

If ya want 10.04 version. You can find it here.

[bigpappajohn1984]

I have never even heard of this before, but it definitely looks like my system meets the minimum requirements so hopefully this will run, and not be sluggish! Since Ubuntu is all that I have run, is it similar to the setup and command processes, or a total re-learning process for me?

[nujinini]

Mint 9 LXDE

Edsit: Found LXDE version of Ubuntu 9.10 download.

If ya want 10.04 version. You can find it here.

Mint?

One of my favorites

Since Ubuntu is all that I have run, is it similar to the setup and command processes, or a total re-learning process for me?

Similar....and yet a little laid-back, IMO

Hope it serves your needs. Good luck!

[rokytnji]

Different file manager than Nautilus. It uses a lighter file manager called PCmanFM. Still uses sudo. There is a bit of a learning curve learning the different desktop but lots of documentation. I didn't suggest a fluxbox desktop version because LXDE is easier for a ex Windows user to identify with. Give it a shot. You'll probably like it. I like nujinini think Mint LXDE would be a better way to go as Mint comes with codecs and alot of stuff already enabled and Mint is compatible with Ubuntu because it is based on Ubuntu with more bells and whistles. Whatever you decide though. Just dip your toe in.

[bigpappajohn1984]

I went with mint, and haven't been able to do much yet. I have run the install twice and every time, I can't make it past the screen where you choose a user name, password etc. The last option I have on the screen are tick boxes that say, "Auto log-in" "Require userame and password..." and there is a 3rd box, but I don't remember what it say. Anywho, when I get to this screen, the "Quit" and "Back" options are lit up at the bottom, but the "Forward" options is grayed out like I haven't chosen all of the options yet, but I have selected all I can see.

It is a valid username, valid password so I know that is not what is preventing me from proceeding. Any suggestions?

Well this time I was attempting the install (3rd try) I saw a gray slider bar on the side of the page which would have allowed me to see the other options. But the 2nd I clicked on the slider bar, my resolution resized and now the install box is minimized in the taskbar and I am trying to get it back up so I can see what is going on.

[rokytnji]

Did you Md5sum the iso before you burned the cd?

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/HowToMD5SUM

Are these problems occuring while running as a live cd?

Live CD - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[bigpappajohn1984]

I did not Md5sum before i burned the cd. I didn't know I needed to!!!! Yes the problems are occuring while running as a live cd. I used boot & nuke to completely reformat a hard drive, and now am running off the mint cd to install, and am getting these errors.