linux won't install

[croquet]

I am trying to install Linux on either of 2 fairly old PCs running windowsME. one has 20G drive, the other 10G.
I have tried Ubuntu, Fedora, Mandriva. the iso burns just fine but the installation always hangs, usually after the first question (language). [the first question takes a long time to come up. I have spent a long time staring at black screens - there seems to be no indication that anything is happening.

[MikeTbob]

Hello and Welcome.
You could try starting the installer in textmode. When you boot the CD and you see the Boot: prompt, just type in "linux text" without the qoutes.

[D-cat]

I would probably try the Xubuntu Alternate CD. Definitely use something with a text installer anyway. What do these machines have for RAM? I ask because you might want something even lighter than XFCE (*buntu with Fluxbox seems to work nice) if less than 256MB.

[MikeTbob]

I would probably try the Xubuntu Alternate CD. Definitely use something with a text installer anyway. What do these machines have for RAM? I ask because you might want something even lighter than XFCE (*buntu with Fluxbox seems to work nice) if less than 256MB.

Good idea, I didn't think about the RAM count.

[oz]

Welcome to the forums!

The text version, as suggested above by the others, always works for me whereas the liveCD version usually manages to fail for one reason or another. Let us know what ends up working for you.

[croquet]

thanks all. I tried the Ubuntu 9 text installer, which froze at the first screen. Did my previous aborted attempts to use live cd mess something up?
You were right, it only has 120 meg of RAM. Do have to fdisk and risk losing the windows that works? If so, is there some special way to fdisk for Linux install?
thanks. I have no formal training in computers but I do know where the power button is.

[oz]

You were right, it only has 120 meg of RAM.

With that amount of RAM, you'd probably have better luck with Puppy, or Damn Small Linux. I don't think Ubuntu would perform well on that amount, even if you manage to get it installed. If it has to be Ubuntu, perhaps a RAM upgrade is in order.

[D-cat]

Do you know what the processors are? If they're older than a Pentium II, you may need to make sure you get the i386 or i586 builds as a i686 kernel may refuse to boot.

Additional suggestions are Antix (Use the "pt1" for an older than PII processor)
and Vector Linux Light

[minthaka]

Don't forget the PuppyLinux and TEENPup 2008

[croquet]

Thanks everyone. I'll try those things: if nothing works, no big. the machine was a donation to a croquet club, not something I need to use myself.
It would be nice if this thread was used as a link on the home Linux page:"how to install on an old computer". There may be a bunch of pensioners, kids etc who could get second-hand machines and would like to be able to use the free OS. so many useable computers go to the trash because older versions of windows are not supported. Thanks all.