openbox on older computer ?

[Muppet]

Hello,

i would like to ask if openbox 2011.8 can be installed on a pentium III, 667Mhz, 256cache and 1Gb memory.

i am using this computer for simple task , like internet, mail, typing a letter. so no server ambitions for instance.

i have tried pclos2011.6, but i found that this was to much for this older type of computer.

greetings,

Willem

[Taco.22]

Hi Muppet,

Welcome to the wonderful world of PCLinuxOS, and its light footprint relatives.  Openbox, either full or Bonsai, would be ideal for a machine of your specs.  It gives you all the functionality, but without the weight.  However it is equally at home on modern architecture as well, so don't be afraid to continue with it if you upgrade your hardware.
 
If you have any queries don't hesitate in asking.  No such thing as a "stupid question".

Taco.22

[parnote]

Muppet,

Openbox should do quite nicely on that older computer!

parnote

[AndrzejL]

Hello,

i would like to ask if openbox 2011.8 can be installed on a pentium III, 667Mhz, 256cache and 1Gb memory.

i am using this computer for simple task , like internet, mail, typing a letter. so no server ambitions for instance.

i have tried pclos2011.6, but i found that this was to much for this older type of computer.

greetings,

Willem

You could even run KDE4 on this machine if patient enough (I do not recommend it - I am just saying that if You turn off all the waterfalls You can try it) but definitely anything else should work cool on it. XFCE / LXDE / ZEN etc... Choice is quiet big to be honest.

For me older computer means Pentium 2 - 360 MHz and 440 MB of RAM (Maxed out ), 2 MB Neomagic graphic card and Cirrus logic (ISA!!) sound card... . I run LXDE on it and I can watch avi videos / check mail / browse internet / IM...

Your machine should be just fine with whatever it is that You will choose from PCLinuxOS range.

In my signature You will find My Specs link. Some of my machines have similar configuration to Your gear. You should be fine .

Andy

[T6]

yes, that is not a really old pc

you can run on it anything but kde4

gnome, e17, xfce or lxde are good options apart form openbox

[Taco.22]

yes, that is not a really old pc

you can run on it anything but kde4

gnome, e17, xfce or lxde are good options apart form openbox

Everything is relative - where I am you would be hard pressed to find anything that old.  They just get junked.  I recently fished four 2.6ghz P4s out of a rubbish skip, plus CRT monitors.  One of which is now my main test 'puter with three versions of PCLinuxOS installed on a 40gb drive, plus space for another if needs be.  The other two - who knows, one may wind up being my main machine!  The forth one I set up for a friend with the installed Windows intact, but with Puppy linux on a stick and PCLinuxOS on disc.  I should be hearing back from him soon!

The fifth computer I fished out of that skip was a 450mhz P3, with 128mb of RAM.  I scavenged the hard drive and junked the rest.  No way in a pink fit I will be able to find a home for it anywhere around here.  Plus most of the bits don't translate to P4.  Breaks my heart to do it, but that is the reality.

I also find that the older the hardware, then the lighter the OS.  OB has the edge because it doesn't push the extra desktop layer.  On a P3 that makes all the difference.  On a screaming duo-core it makes it super fast.  I'd put OB on a supercomputer if I had one - all the same apps run on it, why waste cpu power on the system?

I guess what it boils down to is what you want to see on the screen.  Some people like lots of bling - icons, panels, widgets, and so on.  Some of us want to see nothing!  I started using conky so I could tell whether my computer was on or not!  Then I figured wallpaper might help.  And that's it.  Nothing more.  Each to their own, but on light weight hardware I would definitely go the lightest system.    

 

[Muppet]

hello,

thank you for the welcome words.

fabulous to see the the answers. i have installed openbox 2011.8 currently.

do i have to use synaptic after the installation to upgrade or leave it just as it is ?

i am a real newbie on linux and have a lot to learn..........

Willem

[Taco.22]

hello,
do i have to use synaptic after the installation to upgrade or leave it just as it is ?
Willem

Yes, that would be a good move.  Just hit the "reload" button, then "Mark all upgrades".  That way you'll know you have the latest system.  From memory the updates for OB Bonsai were only about 30mb, so for the full version maybe twice that.  Don't quote me on that though - just a stab in the dark!

[billy7720]

Hello,

i would like to ask if openbox 2011.8 can be installed on a pentium III, 667Mhz, 256cache and 1Gb memory.

i am using this computer for simple task , like internet, mail, typing a letter. so no server ambitions for instance.

i have tried pclos2011.6, but i found that this was to much for this older type of computer.

greetings,

Willem

Yes sir, it can! I'm running Openbox 2011.8 on an HP ze1110 that only has 256mb of ram! It's running nearly flawless and it's just wonderful. I also had Zen Mini running on it but it seemed to have issues with changing what the keys would do so I ran over to the Openbox "Bonsai" mini download which is not even 300MB.

It works wonderfully. I've also been online with that old HP ze1110 without any issues.

Have fun!

Looks like you got it running. Wonderful. Enjoy yourself. I know I am

[T6]

pclinux is a rolling release distro

this means that we get updates almost weekly for sure, sometimes 2 or 3 times per week

synaptic is your friend here, it will keep your install in order for as long as you like

i kept a install in good shape for 3 years and then i changed some hardware and didn't had internet connection so i was forced to reinstall, that second install is working on place since 2009

my netbook is the same, since september last year, always strong, fast and stable

[Muppet]

synaptic has done the upgrade. 110 files to upgrade since release.


after a few minutes the screensaver comes in and turns the screen black.
were can i adjust the time or turn this off ?
(i have search in the controlcenter but could not find this option........)

Willem

[melodie]

Hi Willem,

Add this at the end of the file $HOME/.config/openbox/autostart.sh :

# the screen will never be off
xset dpms 0 0 0 &

of if it is already there (not sure, I don't remember... ) just uncomment it, then logout, login, it should do the trick. It has been provided by one of the members who is also one of the very good testers.

[Yankee]

i am a real newbie on linux and have a lot to learn..........

Look below, my computer is a PIII technically.   Runs fine.   Upgrade occasionally
with Synaptic, ask a question occasionally, should be very good with your computer.

regards,

FF

[Muppet]

hello everyone, thank you for all the great replies on the topic. very helpfull. great to see alternatives for using this computer..

melodie, your answer is going for me a little to fast. perhaps you could instruct me which program or where i could find the suggested file ?...........

greetings,

Willem

[melodie]

melodie, your answer is going for me a little to fast. perhaps you could instruct me which program or where i could find the suggested file ?...........

Yes sure : I said "at the end of the file $HOME/.config/openbox/autostart.sh "

which means :

/home/willem/.config/openbox/autostart.sh

Do you know about the hidden files and directories ? Their name start with a dot : .config, .local, and so on... You can unhide them in file managers by using the menu "View > Display hidden files", and in the console by typing "ls -A".

Regards,
Mélodie