Ubuntu on older system

[Bucky Ball]

You will find the CD experience a little slower. Also, there may be some drivers which will not install because running on CD but will install once you're running from hard drive (wireless and graphics mostly).

So, welcome to the community! Burn some ISOs and have fun testing! Hope you find something that suits (I don't doubt you will) and hope you enjoy (and are prepared) for the learning curve. It's not unpleasant.

[Mopar1973Man]

I've found that Lubuntu is a lighter weight option for older PC's and does fairly well with a Single code AMD 939 2.0 GHz and 1 GB of memory. Unity desktop and and Ubuntu is a but too much for that machine.

[kromaz]

When I run Ubuntu off a CD does it write to the hard drive or handled all in memory? Don't want any effect done to the OS currently on the hard drive while testing Ubuntu.

[Impavidus]

When I run Ubuntu off a CD does it write to the hard drive or handled all in memory? Don't want any effect done to the OS currently on the hard drive while testing Ubuntu.

It won't. Unless you command it to do so of course, but the live disk is intended to allow you to test Ubuntu without affecting the currently installed system(s).

[newb85]

Running off a CD or DVD will be slow (limited by the read speed of your ROM). From a USB Won't be as slow. Hard drive is the best option for normal use.

[protoss96]

I am recommending you to install Ubuntu with XFCE4, LXDE ot GNOME desktop enviroment, that will fit your hardware very well.

[kromaz]

I am recommending you to install Ubuntu with XFCE4, LXDE ot GNOME desktop enviroment, that will fit your hardware very well.

Can I choose the desktop environment during install or is this something that need to be done afterwards?

[deadflowr]

Can I choose the desktop environment during install or is this something that need to be done afterwards?

If you use Ubuntu's normal install disk, then no.
But if you use the mini.iso, which does a netinstall, then yes you can choose which desktop you would like to use during install.

Added: It's a little more complex of an install, and requires a tad more attention than a normal install.

[kromaz]

If you use Ubuntu's normal install disk, then no.
But if you use the mini.iso, which does a netinstall, then yes you can choose which desktop you would like to use during install.

Added: It's a little more complex of an install, and requires a tad more attention than a normal install.

Awesome! With the mini.iso can I also install applications the normal install disc offers? Example firefox etc...

[whitesmith]

CDs represent a big performance hit. After you've picked your poison, be sure to install it to an HDD. Today SDDs are so cheap you might want to drop $100 or so and speed up the IO part of the old computer -- if the BIOS supports them. A final 2¢ worth: remember that the prettier the interface, the more power is required to drive it.