REALLY old computer

[Axxon95]

Just wanted to share this.
I finally went out to the shed with my father and looked at all of the computer parts(omg there are tons), and I found this computer completely in tact. I had to replace Windows 98 though.
Ubuntu 10.04 Minimal + LXDE
CPU: Intel Pentium 200MHz with MMX
RAM: 80MB SIMM
GPU: S3 Virge GX(reverted to 2.1 Software Raster but oh well)
Audio: Ensoniq AudioPCI(1370)
LAN: Realtek 8029(AS) 10Mbps
Modem: Some random Conexant 56k modem.
1x 1.44, ZIP, CD-ROM.
It even has 2 USB ports! An I/O in the back attached to internal USB connectors.

I am also taking in suggestions for other Linux distros. I am comfortable with CLI.

[lykwydchykyn]

Sounds like a good candidate for TinyCore.

I spent some time testing operating systems on an old windows 98 computer or two a few months back, and blogged about it:

http://www.alandmoore.com/blog/2012/...ossible-tasks/

There are options outside the Linux world, if you want to try some interesting things.

[King Dude]

Intel Pentium 200Mhz?! EEEEK!

[mastablasta]

actually 200mhz were quite good CPUs at the time.

what about Slitaz? should also run a bit better as it has lower sytem requirements.

DSL - though they are probably still using old kernel.

[King Dude]

actually 200mhz were quite good CPUs at the time.

Yeah, at the time. Now, not so much. If I were to guess the minimum processor speed requirement, it would be about 400-500Mhz. With 200Mhz I'm not sure if you can do much of anything with, even if you use a CLI environment. HOWEVER, you may be able to build a MAME Arcade machine out of the computer.

http://mamedev.org/

[mastablasta]

i think the last Mars rover has 250 mhz pentium (pIII). so it seems you can use it for soemhting else than just acrade.

edit: i was wrogn the PCU is equivalent or close to to 200-250Mhz pentium

though DOS games do run nicely on such old hardware. and there was plenty of good ones back then...

[Axxon95]

A few days ago I had FreeDOS on it and was running a collection of DOS games, but with not a lot of audio goodness.
I originally went out into the shed to find the 2 Sound Blaster 16s we had out there but came in with 2 machines. Pentium 200MHz and K6 223MHz.
I'm probably going to have a 2 HDDs for the Pentium, for Linux and FreeDOS.

[King Dude]

i think the last Mars rover has 250 mhz pentium (pIII). so it seems you can use it for soemhting else than just acrade.

edit: i was wrogn the PCU is equivalent or close to to 200-250Mhz pentium

Yeah, but I meant as a normal user you wouldn't be able to do much of anything.

[Erik1984]

actually 200mhz were quite good CPUs at the time.

what about Slitaz? should also run a bit better as it has lower sytem requirements.

DSL - though they are probably still using old kernel.

Highlighted the essential part

[mastablasta]

it could also be used as some kind of backup maschine. though probably the size of HD isn't big enough to do that. maybe as a game server for an older game