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The Laptop Challenge

Tuesday, 24. April 2007, 10:11:08

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I just posted this in the #Techie Group forum, so I thought 'd post it here too - the more help the better...

Originally posted by me:

I need some help/advice. I have obtained a rather ancient laptop from work (it was being thrown out), and I wish to try to bring it up to date. I need advice on if this is actually possible given its specs, and if so what software would be best to do this.

I'll give you the specs first - feel free to laugh/cry/run away

  • Intel® Pentium® with MMX™ technology at 133MHz
  • 64MB RAM
  • 1.35GB HD
  • 10x CD-ROM
  • 1 USB Port
  • Windows 95
  • 2 PCMCIA slots

The make/model is a Toshiba Satellite Pro 440CDT, and further details can be found here.

Bear in mind that I already have a "decent" laptop, and so this is just something to play with. I do want to make it as "useful" as possible. It'll only be used for Office work/Internet browsing if that's possible. I guess my first port of call is upgrading/changing the OS? Is there anything that will run on these specs? And cost is also an issue - I'm looking for free (or as near to) solutions.

Is there something I can do to this beast to make it useful, apart from using it as a doorstop.

I await your responses - let me know if you need anymore details.

The Charming Monkey - Part 6Spelling Glee

Comments

csant 24. April 2007, 20:28

It all depends on your inclination, the time you want to spend on it, and what you ultimately really want to do with the machine - but *I* personally would try to run something small and light on it, and for me the choice would be somewhere in the Linux or UNIX world.

Some people have successfully been running OpenBSD (you need to uncheck this first), Damn Small Linux or some other Linux on it. You might also want to check out Linux on Laptops or TuxMobil for some inspiration. YMMV :smile:

seaempty 24. April 2007, 21:15

Thanks for the advice - I was thinking about going along the Linux route, and I'll definitely check out those links.

What about Ubuntu? Is that a bit more resource hungry?

csant 24. April 2007, 22:15

Ubuntu is certainly "in" at the moment - but with 1.35GB HD you need a really *small* distro if you don't want to run out of disk space just with installing the system. And forget about GNOME or KDE desktop environments (if not specially tweaked and configured to their minimum) - I'd rather reccomend to go for something smaller and lighter - again, de gustibus non est disputandum: but I would even go for larswm... After all, all you want the WM to do is to manage windows: there just aren't resources to do much more than just that.

seaempty 25. April 2007, 07:17

Ah right - the only reason I mentioned Ubuntu is that I read somewhere that it could run on a smaller HD if needs be - but I can't find that anywhere now I'm looking for it.

I think I actually only want to run Opera on it. I figure that most applications that I need are on the 'Net (like Google Docs, for example).

The Laptop already comes with a network card, but what are the chances of getting a wireless card to work on this machine?

Will that in mind, what Linux variation would be best suited?

Also, what are your thoughts on PuppyLinux (another recommendation I've had).

Hope you don't mind answering all theses questions!

csant 25. April 2007, 20:06

Chances of getting WiFi working on it? Slim (and you know this is an euphemism...) - but as always, YMMV.

I don't know which distro to reccomend - but some document I linked earlier mentioned Damn Small Linux as being run successfully on the machine. Of the other distros Distrowatch lists as suitable for old machines, Puppy Linux and VectorLinux might be worth a try - I don't really know the others. Both distros, BTW, have had Opera in their repositories - not sure about the latest status, though.

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