Xubuntu 9.04 install problems

[sameepkunja]

Hi everyone,

This is my first with Linux so please forgive me if I ask some very dumb questions!
I have a Pentium III, 733 MHz computer. So after reading on the web, I thought that Xubuntu may be a good option as I and more so my kids are thoroughly frustrated with Windows 2000, it keeps crashing when connected to the internet and kids want to play some online games. I downloaded Xubuntu 9.04 and tried to install the same with a boot CD option. I have faced the following problems 1) the mouse does not work, the pointer is frozen in the centre of the screen. 2) the entire writing on the screen is not displayed and I am unable to see all the buttons like <next>, <quit> etc and I have to go by trial and error method to select the correct option. 3) I want to install xubuntu in a dual operating system mode with Win2000 atleast initially until I am a bit more familiar with linux. Though, I select this option, when the PC boots initially, I did not get the option for Xubuntu 4) finally, when xubuntu loads after fresh install, nothing seems to be working. neither the mouse or any of the applications as despite pressing keys nothing seems to happen on the screen though the caps lock and num lock indications on the keyboard work.
I have two hard disks 80GB and 10GB. I want to use the 10GB completely for Xubuntu if required. Also is my choice of Xubuntu correct for the PC of my configuration.
Kindly help me with replies meant for Actual 'dummies' like me.
Thanks very much
Sameep

[coopstah13]

usually the limiting factor with older machines is memory, how much do you have?

[devils casper]

Hi and Welcome !

Boot up Xubuntu and press Alt+Ctrl+F2. Does it switch to command line mode? If yes then log in there and execute this

sudo lspci | grep -i vga
free
df -h

Post output here.

[sameepkunja]

usually the limiting factor with older machines is memory, how much do you have?

The memory I have is 128Mb

[reed9]

128 is probably too little to run any of the *buntus well. I suggest trying a lighter distro, like Antix or Vector Linux Light.

[sameepkunja]

reed 9 Thanks very much. I have downloaded the Vector linux standard but yet to install it. Should I go ahead or download Vector linux light and not waste time with the standard version.

[sameepkunja]

I donot get the option of buntu at all during bootup. I get only the default windows option.

[coopstah13]

128m is too low for any of the standard buntus for sure, you could run in that but you'd have to be experienced, you should go with a lighter distro.

[reed9]

The Vector Linux website lists 128mb RAM as the minimum for the standard edition. So it should run, but I don't know how performance will be. One thing I didn't think of before, Vector Linux uses a boot manager called LILO, which is a little more difficult to set up for dual booting than GRUB is.