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View Full Version : Linux distro with smallest footprint


kevdog
April 24th, 2008, 05:15 AM
Ok I know I'm opening myself up to a lot of comments, but what linux distro could be run requiring an extremly low memory footprint. I have a really old computer -- 15 years old -- and would like to see if I could get something up and running. Really only need it to surf internet and maybe play videos. Wired networking. Nothing else to crazy. I think it has like a 2-3 Gb HD.
myusername
April 24th, 2008, 05:22 AM
it probably won't be able to play videos...specs?
Harii
April 24th, 2008, 05:35 AM
Which distro all depends on how much ram you have.
Lower than 128 ram video will suck!

It might help to know make/model and some hardware info.
but it sounds like debian with a really small wm.
way old hardware works great if you can max the ram.

jwm--window manager or even smaller
links2--web browser
zmjjmz
April 24th, 2008, 05:36 AM
15 years old?
Basic Linux maybe?
Syrtis
April 24th, 2008, 06:27 AM
I would try Puppy Linux, I'm using it on an old Pentium 1 with 64mb Ram and it runs really well and comes with a ton of productivity programs it's pretty sweet.
SirThom
April 24th, 2008, 06:43 AM
I think one of the older ones fits on a bootable floppy. It's probably text based though.
SuperSon!c
April 24th, 2008, 06:52 AM
damn small
colorcol
April 24th, 2008, 07:22 AM
you can transplant a uclinux to your computer ,haaaaa
it is used on MCU^^ usually
colorcol
April 24th, 2008, 07:23 AM
damn small

oasis?
i like them too^
BrokeBody
April 24th, 2008, 07:40 AM
I have a really old computer -- 15 years old -- and would like to see if I could get something up and running. Really only need it to surf internet and maybe play videos.


Maybe play what? :mrgreen:
BrendanM
April 24th, 2008, 07:59 AM
It's not a Linux distro, exactly, but you can run Minix (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minix) on a 286 with 20 MB of HDD space and 2 MB of RAM.

You might also try DeLi Linux (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deli_Linux) which has a 486 w/16 MB of RAM as it's recommended specs, it will run with less. DeLi even has a GUI!
SuperSon!c
April 24th, 2008, 01:07 PM
oasis?
i like them too^

:D
zmjjmz
April 24th, 2008, 01:33 PM
It's not a Linux distro, exactly, but you can run Minix (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minix) on a 286 with 20 MB of HDD space and 2 MB of RAM.

You might also try DeLi Linux (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deli_Linux) which has a 486 w/16 MB of RAM as it's recommended specs, it will run with less. DeLi even has a GUI!

The Minix wiki/docs/whatever says it needs 16MB RAM. You can probably get Minix 1 though.
EvilMarshmallow
April 24th, 2008, 01:40 PM
www.damnsmalllinux.org

I tried it out, it's pretty decent, even has a liveCD version that fits on one of those business card-sized CDs.

Comes with a built-in browser, ssh/ftp server, etc... might be a video player although I don't recall.
chucky chuckaluck
April 24th, 2008, 02:27 PM
puppy's pretty small,too. i think both puppy and damn small come with either mplayer, or xine-ui.
fstephens
September 6th, 2008, 10:10 PM
I think Slitaz is the smallest usable distro at about 25MB. It's very impressive for it's size and looks nice too.
Link and reviews at the bottom of this page:
http://linuxlatitude.blogspot.com/2008/07/beyond-basics.html