my first shot with Linux: need advice!!

[eligen]

I have this old laptop that I'd like to install linux on so that I can familiarize with it. Here are the laptop specs:

Toshiba Satellite 1640 CDT

AMD K6-2+ at 475 Mghtz frequency processor
64 Mb of Ram
12.1 TFT screen
6 Gb Hard Disk
CD Rom integrated
Floppy disk integrated
Graphic card: ATI Rage LT pro 4Mb memory
Sound Crystal enhanced system on board
Integrated 56 Kbps Conexant V90 Fax/modem
1 serial port
1 parallel port
1 ps/2 port
1 USB port

Is it worth a shot? And if so, which version of linux do you advice me to go for? Any advice will be more than welcome!

[Faustus]

I've never had luck with it but I wish you luck.

The one I see the most talk about for the last 6months+ has been Ubuntu, so you might want to start there.

[VenGeanCe]

well if u r a newbie i suggest u 2 go for knoppix cause basically u can run it through CD no need 2 install/copy it and does not disturb system config..i'm also a linux newbie and using it 2 get acquainted with and basically lookin at ur system config knoppix is best suited 4 u.

[Shard92]

Also if you are looking to get familiar with installing ect....the easiest distros to install are either SUSE or mandrake. I installed SUSE 9.2pro on a Pii 400mhz with 196mb RAM and it ran okay. But you might want to go with an earlier version considering the amount of ram you have. they both install graphical interfaces ( or can ) and that can take a lot of resources. In fact not so sure knoppix would run so well with only 64.... seems to me 128 was min but I could be wrong.

[eligen]

Well i bought this old laptop instead of messing with mine because the idea is really to go for linux all the way (i mean, as the only OS) and not worry about damage. I want to remove windows completely and create a working environment with open office applications, browser, etc. That's precisely why i'm asking for advice.

I just found out that the guy who sold me this laptop had a crash and so he replaced the hd and doubled the memory: i got 128 Mb ram and 16 Gb hd...

so what do you say? Can I go for SUSE or Mandrake? Which versions?
I also want to thank the guys who PM'd me with useful links and info...

U R da best...

[LSchafroth]

Can I go for SUSE or Mandrake? Which versions?
I also want to thank the guys who PM'd me with useful links and info...

U R da best...

I tried Mandrake on a P400 with 128Mb of ram and it ran fairly well. Not fast but good. After fighting 27 different ways to open 1 document, or 40 different ways to host something I gave up. There is no easy integration of server/client products without 50 different versions to choose from. Yes, it's nice to have choices but when half don't work with each other it's no fun.

Maybe that's just Mandrake, but it wasn't a experiecne I want to go back to.

LS

[smearbrick1]

Maybe I belong to the dumbass club also, but I have had very little luck with Linux. I have most most recent Mandrake distro on DVD... I installed it on my PII 333 w/ 256 mb RAM. Looks nice... now what? Sorry, just not intuitive enough. I guess I'm not as geek as I thought. (relief)

[VenGeanCe]

well eligen knoppix wud be perfect for ur system config.but if ya want only linux as workin environment get debian.mandrake and redhat r resouce hogs.i haven't tried Suse. u can try ubuntu also

[redwudz]

Don't give up too easily on LINUX. It is complicated in that there are so many variations. It does have a lot of promise, but you have to dig through the many variations to find the one that suits you. Some are very MS like, if that's what you want. Hang around this site a bit longer and someone will give you some better advice. I've used some of the SUSE variations with luck. But you have to keep your mind open, as it is different. If nothing else, a good learning experience.