I wrote this article to promote the use of Linux in restoring old pc's

[killhack95]

http://computersight.com/software/give-old-computers-new-life/

[Wizzup?]

Amiga OS. :D

[Capricorn]

Or you could recycle your old computer, and buy a new one which will run billion times faster and be more energy efficient.

Enjoy your outrageous power bill. :)

[KingKong]

So, I got inspired by this thread and downloaded puppy linux to use on my old comp, the only trouble is that I don't know anything about linux, and hence i have trouble connecting to the wireless internet(with a wireless usb modem, i have an old comp), does anyone know how to fix it?(i don't seem to know what drivers or whatever its called to load)
P.S. Can I get simba on this version of linux?

[Dgby714]

Hehe... I have DSL on my PXE server =P

[KingKong]

Could some one tell me whats a good linux alternative to windows?(i need to be able to do basic stuff like browse the internet using browser(btw i use wireless usb modem), process word documents and be able to use simba :D).

P.S. Preferably i would like it if the os could be installed to the harddisk instead of running from the ram.

[Boreas]

Could some one tell me whats a good linux alternative to windows?(i need to be able to do basic stuff like browse the internet using browser(btw i use wireless usb modem), process word documents and be able to use simba :D).

P.S. Preferably i would like it if the os could be installed to the harddisk instead of running from the ram.

LinuxMint. You can try the LiveCD and install to harddisk. Word documents you can do with OpenOffice (included) and internet is Firefox or chrome; just the same as windows. Simba atm, you need to use the windows version with WINE, I think the guide by Coh3n will walk you through that. The wireless USB may work right away, or may need you to run a simple installer, or may require more work, what model is it? Also what VEN and DEV ID?

To Find VEN DEV
While on linux (livecd)
Go to Terminal and run 'lsusb' without quotes and paste here

While on windows
Right click Computer and choose Manage. Go to Device manager, and find the wireless USB adapter under network, right click and choose properties. Go to details tab, and change drop down to hardware IDs, and paste the VEN DEV (or VID PID) IDs here.

[KingKong]

Is this the version you're talking about: http://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=1581

[Boreas]

Yes, that's it. Which wireless USB do you have?

[KingKong]

The usb is called Netgear WG111v2 Wireless USB, here is the website for the full specs: http://kb.netgear.com/app/products/model/a_id/2557

Here is what it says for the hardware ID's :
USB\VID_0846&PID_6A00&REV_0100
USB\VID_0846&PID_6A00

On the actual usb, it says FCC ID: PY305400026(not sure if thats any help)

[cycrosism]

I'll think i'll stick with windows to avoid spending majority of the time trying to fix errors

And why would I need an old computer anyway, name 1 good thing I could do with an old computer that I can't do with my new, faster computer

[KingKong]

Well, this article is about restoring old pc's, not about comparing an old pc to a new one, which as you said is not as good as a new one.(I might as well do something about an old pc rather than let it gather 10 inches of dust while its in the garage :D). Plus I can learn about different OSes and get used to them.

[Boreas]

The usb is called Netgear WG111v2 Wireless USB, here is the website for the full specs: http://kb.netgear.com/app/products/model/a_id/2557

Here is what it says for the hardware ID's :
USB\VID_0846&PID_6A00&REV_0100
USB\VID_0846&PID_6A00

On the actual usb, it says FCC ID: PY305400026(not sure if thats any help)

http://linuxhcl.com/browse/product+netgear-wg111v2?id=7072
Nice, should be recognized automatically.



I'll think i'll stick with windows to avoid spending majority of the time trying to fix errors

And why would I need an old computer anyway, name 1 good thing I could do with an old computer that I can't do with my new, faster computer

I install linux on my new faster computers to avoid errors :p

[noidea]

I'll think i'll stick with windows to avoid spending majority of the time trying to fix errors

And why would I need an old computer anyway, name 1 good thing I could do with an old computer that I can't do with my new, faster computer

Not all families can afford for everyone to have a new blazing fast pc.
If you have a computer that runs unbearably slow with the windows OS, but runs ok with Linux, why not donate it to someone that only uses a computer for web browsing and the like? It makes no difference to them what OS is on the computer as long as they only need to see the web.

[cycrosism]

Not all families can afford for everyone to have a new blazing fast pc.
If you have a computer that runs unbearably slow with the windows OS, but runs ok with Linux, why not donate it to someone that only uses a computer for web browsing and the like? It makes no difference to them what OS is on the computer as long as they only need to see the web.

I have no use for old computers, I have 2 on them lying around right now that I am about to throw out

[KingKong]

I was wondering if its possible to burn multiple operating systems to one disk and then i get to choose what i want to run upon startup.

[i luffs yeww]

No, but you can burn an OS to a cd, install it, shrink the partition, install another OS onto a blank cd (you can just blank the same cd you used before) and put a different OS onto the cd and install it and then choose at start up after that. Called dual-booting; google it. ;)

[KingKong]

That's what im doing right now, but I wanted to choose what os to run from the cd itself at startup rather than install two operating systems and then selecting, which i infer from your post is not possible.

[Boreas]

You can combine multiple ISOs with a grub menu with this: http://www.sarducd.it/linux.html

However, it means burning a new CD (more likely DVD if you want more than one average sized OS) each time you want to update just one of them. So you might also be interested in an external harddrive based solution such this
http://www.vmlite.com/vboot/instructions.html
or
http://www.amazon.com/iodd-2501-Portable-Virtual-Rom/dp/B0034UFOL8

[noidea]

I have no use for old computers, I have 2 on them lying around right now that I am about to throw out

Why not donate them to less privileged people?

[cycrosism]

Why not donate them to less privileged people?

Because they are old, slow and crappy and I don't really have anyone to donate them to and its easier to throw it out

Also, 1337

[KingKong]

Looks like I have another problem, my chipset is Intel i815 and when I try to boot from the CD i get weird messages, is there a way to fix this or do I have to install a different distro of linux?