How well does Ubuntu run on a Dell Dimension 8200?

[aufan19]

Hi everyone,

My family has a Dimension 8200 (from around 2002) currently running Windows XP Home. My dad remarked that it was getting slow, and that he needs to get it replaced soon. I suggested that he could install Ubuntu on it and keep the computer. I showed him Ubuntu running in a VM and he seemed to like it. The only specs I have so far are a Pentium 4 processor, 1.5GB of RAM, and I believe some type of Intel graphics card. I'll update the specs when/if I am able to get more info. I know that Ubuntu is perfectly capable of running on those specs, but since this computer was made well before Dell started shipping Ubuntu systems, I am concerned about hardware compatibility.

Does anybody have Ubuntu running on an 8200? What kinds of experiences have you had?

[WinterMadness]

if it makes you feel any better, im currently using my backup Dimension 3000. It runs fine. Seems like a computer that shouldnt have EVER had any bloated windows on it.

It has less than 1gb of ram, and has some unknown video card(i assume intel), pentium 4 and such. Basically my computer illiterate mom picked it out, so that should tell you something.

I should work fine, and if it dosent theres always a way to make it work. Thats the beauty of linux.

[sox fan Matt]

I second this..I about had the same model..it ran fine.

[coffeeaddict22]

Run a live CD on it before you install; that should pick up any major issues.

[abn91c]

+1, run the live cd first. test all the hardware, if the dell has an i845 video card compiz will be an issue, there are solutions for that here in the forum. make sure you select the "try ubuntu" option in the live cd, don't go straight into the install like many new users do. It is best to run the installation from the live cd desktop

[leonhook]

i have the same model and it works fine with ubuntu
i have had some trouble playing dvds and can't get this to work, for some reason, but thats a different matter.

but all in all its works great on the dell dimension 8200

[salvador24]

I am running Ubuntu Server edition on a heavily modified Dimension 8100 without any problems, and that's even older than your machine! I use it as a NAS, torrenting appliance, firefly server, mpd server, as well as sbnzbd client. Still has stock 1.5ghz Willamette P4 with 768mb RDRAM. I have added a PCI SATA controller as well as a PCI USB 2.0 card to at least give some more storage options. Currently the computer has 4 HDD in it with a grand total of 2TB of storage! I had to remove the front panel to add more fans to cool all the HDDs... That said, I have NO compatibility issues even with lots of modifications. Ubuntu runs on this ancient piece of hardware like a champ! I would have junked this computer long ago if it weren't for Ubuntu, but now it serves in integral role in my network!