Help finding old versions of Linux

[JScalfani]

i tried to install a copy of red hat 9.0 today but for the graphical interface it needs at least 400mhz but my laptop is only rockin a 333mhz. Does anybody know if older version like 7.0 or 8.0 require a lesser processor and if so can anybody direct me on where to find an old copy to download.

 

[drag]

Old versions are crappy versions. Almost month by month linux is getting better and easier to use, unfortunately Distros like Redhat use full-fledged desktop enviroments that require the extra power that todays computers can put out.

Not all of them are like that though, give Slackware linux a try. It's a bit harder to set up, mainly in the X windows department, but it's up to date. Avoid using full fledged desktops like kde or gnome (you can install them if that makes it easier, just don't use them), use something like fluxbox or IceWM. Then you will still have pretty good speed.

If you don't like Slackware, or Debian try using SuSE, I don't know what the minimal requirements are for it, but otherwise it's much like Redhat. Otherwise You can gotto Linuxiso.org and they have some 7.X iso's aviable.

 

[drag]

howcut






(stupid for doublepost)

 

[Spyro]

I wouldn't recommend using an old version. I have a 333mhz desktop that runs debian unstable just fine.

 

[Sunner]

Another vote for Debian.

 

[civad]

Debian OR Vectorlinux

The latter is Slackware-based; and you will be amazed by the responsiveness of the SOHO version.
This is from personal experience:
I use debian on my desktop and Vector v. 3.2 on my laptop. The lappy is PII 400 Mhz system btw.

 

[RedFox1]

Try RedHat 7.3

I ran that on my Bentley laptop (and mine is a Pentium 133). The old versions of Gnome/KDE are usable, and not too bloated.

You may have to carefully upgrade a few packages to get some recent software to install and get some security updates.

-Russ

 

[sciencewhiz]

Redhat 7.3 is still a very nice distro. Yes, linux is getting better by the day, but if he wants a full desktop environment, it's hard to go wrong with Redhat 7.3.

You could also use any other distro (including redhat 9) with a lighter weight window manager, such as XFCE or fluxbox.

 

[leolaw]

BTW, the old version of RedHat is still on the Redhat's FTP server

I think Debian is a good distro to try if you know how to make it runs on your computer. Give it a try. Don't try to stick with Redhat all the time, otherwise, Redhat would become Microsoft soon

 

[rjain]

Be VERY careful when using old distro versions. They aren't always as dilligent about security updates for them especially if the bug disappeared in a newer version without being detected. Non-security bugfixes are a lost cause, of course. I recommend Debian, as well. It has the same "full" desktop environment as RedHat, except that Debian has more apps with it, which means no fumbling around the internet looking for a package compiled for your old release of RedHat or trying to compile the source and realizing that it can only build with newer libraries.