Old box, old problem

[arinlares]

So, I have this fairly old Windows desktop, probably 98 or 2000, but it doesn't read USB devices. It has the USB ports, but I don't think it has the drivers to run the device. So, what I figure I'll do is run the Ubuntu live cd/wubi install (not the whole system, and only if it won't read the cd off of the BIOS). It then hit me: Will this work? Will I be able to run USB devices in Ubuntu that won't run in Windows? I might run Xubuntu, if it is faster. I also need to know the system requirements for Ubuntu/wubi.
How would I get Xubuntu installed? I would appreciate fast responses, as I am testing ubuntu on my old box this weekend.

[zmjjmz]

What are the specs?

[logos34]

Maybe you have a hardware problem, because at the very least you should have legacy usb support. If your board supports usb2.0, Win2k has a driver download to supoort that too.

But get away from win98/win2k if you can...there's bound to be a lightweight flavor of linux out there that will run just fine on your machine, however modest the specs.

Forget wubi. Go for dedicated install. There's a way to get it on your computer even if it doesn't support cdrom boot.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SmartBootManager
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Installation/FromWindows

[arinlares]

yeah, the way to install without CD boot capability was the wubi method I menitoned. I'm not sure about the specs, so I'm downloading the Xubuntu live cd AND my ubuntu live cd. I'll check the specs of the computer, and run accordingly.

[logos34]

If at some point you want a dedicated linux installation, here's how to transfer it without reinstalling:

http://lubi.sourceforge.net/lvpm.html

goo luck

[K.Mandla]

Moved to Installation and Upgrades.

[arinlares]

i might just go dedicated install anyway, depending on how Xubuntu/Ubuntu works on my computer. If its 98, can I still install Xubuntu on a full dedicated hard drive(not sure what to call it)?

Confirmation: it is a 98. Can Xubuntu be installed on it?