bryyando Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 So a while back we had this laptop that we dropped. The cd drive fell out and we lost that forever, there is no battery, the screen only sometimes works, and we're missing about 5% of the keys on the keyboard. Well rummaging around my house I found a keyboard, mouse, and a lcd monitor. So now I want to restore life to this little laptop so my parents can use it so they don't have to use mine. . I have never used linux and so have my parents but I heard good things about linux and it should be perfect for what I want to do. A link to the the distro and a tutorial would be very much appreciated. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/118141-need-help-choosing-linux-distro/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
snakeeyes Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 what r the laptop specs? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/118141-need-help-choosing-linux-distro/#findComment-836900 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bryyando Posted July 28, 2008 Author Share Posted July 28, 2008 It's an old compaq presario 700 http://pcworld.about.com/news/ Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/118141-need-help-choosing-linux-distro/#findComment-836963 Share on other sites More sharing options...
dillon31292 Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 I prefer Fedora. Ubuntu hassles you more when it comes to installing applications and drivers, it's like dumbed-down Linux. (which makes it annoying, rather than easier on the user) SUSE is supposed to be good too. If you want to go for a similar OS, get UNIX-based Solaris. It's shiny, and actually has support. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/118141-need-help-choosing-linux-distro/#findComment-836983 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bryyando Posted July 28, 2008 Author Share Posted July 28, 2008 what about xubuntu? I'm looking at pendrivelinux.com and this seems somewhat what I'm looking for. It's supposed to be good for older computers, and I can install from a flash drive Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/118141-need-help-choosing-linux-distro/#findComment-837008 Share on other sites More sharing options...
snakeeyes Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 I can't find a link to your specs, that link takes me to some news or something, please post specs? also do u want something really easy, medium, or difficult? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/118141-need-help-choosing-linux-distro/#findComment-837047 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bryyando Posted July 28, 2008 Author Share Posted July 28, 2008 these are the specs more or less: Compaq Presario 700 900-MHz AMD Mobile Duron CPU, 256MB of RAM, 64KB L2 cache, Windows XP Home, 14.1-inch active-matrix screen, integrated Via ProSavage KN133 graphics chip with 16MB of SDRAM, 20GB hard drive, 8X DVD-ROM drive, built-in V.90 modem and network adapter, touchpad pointing device, 7.6 pounds (including AC adapter and phone cord). One-year parts and labor warranty, free unlimited 24-hour toll-free technical support. I want something really easy and simple seeing how its for my parents. Something that allows web browsing, videos, pictures, and support for Vietnamese. I suppose something that could install itself on to the hard drive on the laptop but like I said no cd drive. It broke off Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/118141-need-help-choosing-linux-distro/#findComment-837051 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kane Adams Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 Might try one of these but not sure how your going to get it on there unless you have some usb cdrom? http://www.thinkgos.com/downloads Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/118141-need-help-choosing-linux-distro/#findComment-837076 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bryyando Posted July 28, 2008 Author Share Posted July 28, 2008 i read that you can install from a pendrive. or something of that sort http://www.pendrivelinux.com/ Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/118141-need-help-choosing-linux-distro/#findComment-837081 Share on other sites More sharing options...
snakeeyes Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 I think u should try pendrivelinux then but if can get a cdrom then try debian stable, once setup, its really easy to use Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/118141-need-help-choosing-linux-distro/#findComment-837121 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kane Adams Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 I have never used linux and so have my parents but I heard good things about linux and it should be perfect for what I want to do. Don't think Debian would be to good for them. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/118141-need-help-choosing-linux-distro/#findComment-837169 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandro17 Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 Don't think Debian would be to good for them. And why not? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/118141-need-help-choosing-linux-distro/#findComment-837264 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kane Adams Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 Well one it is not users friendly to new users. ubuntu yes Debian no. And old people can hardly turn on the computer and you want them to use Debian? lol Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/118141-need-help-choosing-linux-distro/#findComment-837279 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandro17 Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 Well one it is not users friendly to new users. ubuntu yes Debian no.And old people can hardly turn on the computer and you want them to use Debian? lol Sorry, makes no sense to me. They should only *use* Debian, not administer it, if I understand correcly (that should be left to their son). Besides, it is a myth that Debian is difficult (it was difficult at the time of Woody). Is Ubuntu easier? I find it damn difficult, with all its bugs and issues. Last but not least, bryyando's parents need Vietnamese support. I suppose there is nothing better than Debian from that point of view. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/118141-need-help-choosing-linux-distro/#findComment-837302 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bryyando Posted July 29, 2008 Author Share Posted July 29, 2008 Well seems like we can't do it anymore. It doesn't seem to support usb boot, and somehow the internet no longer works with the wireless card or the Ethernet port Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/118141-need-help-choosing-linux-distro/#findComment-837383 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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