Good Linux alternative for Windows 9x/ME era computers.

This is a version of linux called u-lite. It is based on ubuntu, so it is
completely updatable, and uses the latest programs and browsers easily.
It can use the latest youtube and other flash video sites, for instance,
because it uses a recent version of adobe flashplayer with a modern gecko
based browser, like firefox and kazehakase. Win9x won't do this without
some major hacking.

It uses the lxde desktop so it runs on very low resource computers. You
just need about 32mb of ram, and anything over 486dx with some swap space.
That's all.

I dual booted Windows 98 with various linux for a long time, but I stuck
with mainly Win98 for as long as possible, because many of the linuxes I
used just operated too sluggishly. Unfortunately Win98 got hosed at some
point. I couldn't reinstall it from my oem compaq restore disk because I
had upgraded the hard drive and it would only install on the original
owing to some copywrite protection code. I had to resort to linux. This
caused me to hunt for lighter versions of linux. U-lite thus far is the
best one I have used.

Now some info about linux in general. Like alot of people who resort to
old versons of windows, I don't have alot of money, and linux gives me
access to thousands of good free opensource programs at the end of my
fingertips through synaptic. There are equivalents to most of the
programs I used on Win98, and when it isn't available I can generally run
my old windows 98 programs through a program called wine. I use wine
mostly for my old games.

http://u-lite.org

I am sure there are others. Anyone else had some good experiences
recently with a version Linux?

Now in Linux mode again... and outside of win98.gen forum standards:

The major issue associated with newer Linux compilations when using older
machines will likely be the display used [almost everything else is
supported natively or via readily downloaded support files, e.g., sound
cards, scanners, cameras, USB devices, printers, etc.].
The defaults now generally found in Linux use EDID and DDC to find the
display/monitor. Older monitors will not be found and you will be locked
into 640x480 or 800x600.

Two choices can be used to work around the issue.
Manually editing the xorg.conf file [not for beginners] or using the messa
driver package which includes most of the older display models in its data
base.
A work-around to manually editing the xorg.conf is to install the COMPLETE
messa package [the default installations generally include just a base
installation], use it to create the xorg.conf by setting up your older
display, and then IF NECESSARY install the video adapter specific files
[like for nVidia]. The drivers will use the settings placed by the messa
package related to your display, to setup your older display with the device
specific driver. Workarounds have been found to do such things as install
DirectX and several other issues that Windows users might be familiar with,
or find they need.
IF you want or need to manually setup the xorg.conf [or other conf files
{configuration files}and settings], *make sure* to first install and/or
setup your ability to become "root" in terminal [kind of like MSDOS Mode or
MSDOS Prompt, or CMD].

Presently I have run short term tests on Ubuntu, Xubuntu, Kubuntu, SUSE,
Fedora, Simply Mepis, and Debian [gnome and KDE]. These seem to require at
least 384 megs memory and a 500+ Mhz. CPU to run adequately in a configured
installation. More memory, bigger drives, and faster CPUs are not an issue
in Linux and will make the experience more enjoyable.

There are now several other packages available to run Windows within Linux,
beyond Wine [including VMWare]. Windows users can also install Linux into a
virtual machine in Windows, or create or download "Live disks" [CD/DVD] of
Linux not requiring installation should they wish to find out what Linux has
now become.

--
~
--
MEB
http://peoplescounsel.org/ref/windows-main.htm
Windows Diagnostics, Security, Networking
http://peoplescounsel.org
The *REAL WORLD* of Law, Justice, and Government
_______



"No Alternative" wrote in
message ...
This is a version of linux called u-lite. It is based on ubuntu, so it is
completely updatable, and uses the latest programs and browsers easily.
It can use the latest youtube and other flash video sites, for instance,
because it uses a recent version of adobe flashplayer with a modern gecko
based browser, like firefox and kazehakase. Win9x won't do this without
some major hacking.

It uses the lxde desktop so it runs on very low resource computers. You
just need about 32mb of ram, and anything over 486dx with some swap space.
That's all.

I dual booted Windows 98 with various linux for a long time, but I stuck
with mainly Win98 for as long as possible, because many of the linuxes I
used just operated too sluggishly. Unfortunately Win98 got hosed at some
point. I couldn't reinstall it from my oem compaq restore disk because I
had upgraded the hard drive and it would only install on the original
owing to some copywrite protection code. I had to resort to linux. This
caused me to hunt for lighter versions of linux. U-lite thus far is the
best one I have used.

Now some info about linux in general. Like alot of people who resort to
old versons of windows, I don't have alot of money, and linux gives me
access to thousands of good free opensource programs at the end of my
fingertips through synaptic. There are equivalents to most of the
programs I used on Win98, and when it isn't available I can generally run
my old windows 98 programs through a program called wine. I use wine
mostly for my old games.

http://u-lite.org

I am sure there are others. Anyone else had some good experiences
recently with a version Linux?

Now in Linux mode again... and outside of win98.gen forum standards:

The major issue associated with newer Linux compilations when using older
machines will likely be the display used [almost everything else is
supported natively or via readily downloaded support files, e.g., sound
cards, scanners, cameras, USB devices, printers, etc.].
The defaults now generally found in Linux use EDID and DDC to find the
display/monitor. Older monitors will not be found and you will be locked
into 640x480 or 800x600.

Two choices can be used to work around the issue.
Manually editing the xorg.conf file [not for beginners] or using the messa
driver package which includes most of the older display models in its data
base.
A work-around to manually editing the xorg.conf is to install the COMPLETE
messa package [the default installations generally include just a base
installation], use it to create the xorg.conf by setting up your older
display, and then IF NECESSARY install the video adapter specific files
[like for nVidia]. The drivers will use the settings placed by the messa
package related to your display, to setup your older display with the device
specific driver. Workarounds have been found to do such things as install
DirectX and several other issues that Windows users might be familiar with,
or find they need.
IF you want or need to manually setup the xorg.conf [or other conf files
{configuration files}and settings], *make sure* to first install and/or
setup your ability to become "root" in terminal [kind of like MSDOS Mode or
MSDOS Prompt, or CMD].

Presently I have run short term tests on Ubuntu, Xubuntu, Kubuntu, SUSE,
Fedora, Simply Mepis, and Debian [gnome and KDE]. These seem to require at
least 384 megs memory and a 500+ Mhz. CPU to run adequately in a configured
installation. More memory, bigger drives, and faster CPUs are not an issue
in Linux and will make the experience more enjoyable.

There are now several other packages available to run Windows within Linux,
beyond Wine [including VMWare]. Windows users can also install Linux into a
virtual machine in Windows, or create or download "Live disks" [CD/DVD] of
Linux not requiring installation should they wish to find out what Linux has
now become.

--
~
--
MEB
http://peoplescounsel.org/ref/windows-main.htm
Windows Diagnostics, Security, Networking
http://peoplescounsel.org
The *REAL WORLD* of Law, Justice, and Government
_______



"No Alternative" wrote in
message ...
This is a version of linux called u-lite. It is based on ubuntu, so it is
completely updatable, and uses the latest programs and browsers easily.
It can use the latest youtube and other flash video sites, for instance,
because it uses a recent version of adobe flashplayer with a modern gecko
based browser, like firefox and kazehakase. Win9x won't do this without
some major hacking.

It uses the lxde desktop so it runs on very low resource computers. You
just need about 32mb of ram, and anything over 486dx with some swap space.
That's all.

I dual booted Windows 98 with various linux for a long time, but I stuck
with mainly Win98 for as long as possible, because many of the linuxes I
used just operated too sluggishly. Unfortunately Win98 got hosed at some
point. I couldn't reinstall it from my oem compaq restore disk because I
had upgraded the hard drive and it would only install on the original
owing to some copywrite protection code. I had to resort to linux. This
caused me to hunt for lighter versions of linux. U-lite thus far is the
best one I have used.

Now some info about linux in general. Like alot of people who resort to
old versons of windows, I don't have alot of money, and linux gives me
access to thousands of good free opensource programs at the end of my
fingertips through synaptic. There are equivalents to most of the
programs I used on Win98, and when it isn't available I can generally run
my old windows 98 programs through a program called wine. I use wine
mostly for my old games.

http://u-lite.org

I am sure there are others. Anyone else had some good experiences
recently with a version Linux?

MEB wrote:
Now in Linux mode again... and outside of win98.gen forum standards:

The major issue associated with newer Linux compilations when using older
machines will likely be the display used [almost everything else is
supported natively or via readily downloaded support files, e.g., sound
cards, scanners, cameras, USB devices, printers, etc.].
The defaults now generally found in Linux use EDID and DDC to find the
display/monitor. Older monitors will not be found and you will be locked
into 640x480 or 800x600.

Two choices can be used to work around the issue.
Manually editing the xorg.conf file [not for beginners] or using the messa
driver package which includes most of the older display models in its data
base.
A work-around to manually editing the xorg.conf is to install the COMPLETE
messa package [the default installations generally include just a base
installation], use it to create the xorg.conf by setting up your older
display, and then IF NECESSARY install the video adapter specific files
[like for nVidia]. The drivers will use the settings placed by the messa
package related to your display, to setup your older display with the device
specific driver. Workarounds have been found to do such things as install
DirectX and several other issues that Windows users might be familiar with,
or find they need.
IF you want or need to manually setup the xorg.conf [or other conf files
{configuration files}and settings], *make sure* to first install and/or
setup your ability to become "root" in terminal [kind of like MSDOS Mode or
MSDOS Prompt, or CMD].

Presently I have run short term tests on Ubuntu, Xubuntu, Kubuntu, SUSE,
Fedora, Simply Mepis, and Debian [gnome and KDE]. These seem to require at
least 384 megs memory and a 500+ Mhz. CPU to run adequately in a configured
installation. More memory, bigger drives, and faster CPUs are not an issue
in Linux and will make the experience more enjoyable.

There are now several other packages available to run Windows within Linux,
beyond Wine [including VMWare]. Windows users can also install Linux into a
virtual machine in Windows, or create or download "Live disks" [CD/DVD] of
Linux not requiring installation should they wish to find out what Linux has
now become.




Yep . I've switched over to Linux also (at least 95%)

I have found that most old machines that had win9x on them will run

either Puppy Linux or Dam_ Small Linux quite well

MEB wrote:
Now in Linux mode again... and outside of win98.gen forum standards:

The major issue associated with newer Linux compilations when using older
machines will likely be the display used [almost everything else is
supported natively or via readily downloaded support files, e.g., sound
cards, scanners, cameras, USB devices, printers, etc.].
The defaults now generally found in Linux use EDID and DDC to find the
display/monitor. Older monitors will not be found and you will be locked
into 640x480 or 800x600.

Two choices can be used to work around the issue.
Manually editing the xorg.conf file [not for beginners] or using the messa
driver package which includes most of the older display models in its data
base.
A work-around to manually editing the xorg.conf is to install the COMPLETE
messa package [the default installations generally include just a base
installation], use it to create the xorg.conf by setting up your older
display, and then IF NECESSARY install the video adapter specific files
[like for nVidia]. The drivers will use the settings placed by the messa
package related to your display, to setup your older display with the device
specific driver. Workarounds have been found to do such things as install
DirectX and several other issues that Windows users might be familiar with,
or find they need.
IF you want or need to manually setup the xorg.conf [or other conf files
{configuration files}and settings], *make sure* to first install and/or
setup your ability to become "root" in terminal [kind of like MSDOS Mode or
MSDOS Prompt, or CMD].

Presently I have run short term tests on Ubuntu, Xubuntu, Kubuntu, SUSE,
Fedora, Simply Mepis, and Debian [gnome and KDE]. These seem to require at
least 384 megs memory and a 500+ Mhz. CPU to run adequately in a configured
installation. More memory, bigger drives, and faster CPUs are not an issue
in Linux and will make the experience more enjoyable.

There are now several other packages available to run Windows within Linux,
beyond Wine [including VMWare]. Windows users can also install Linux into a
virtual machine in Windows, or create or download "Live disks" [CD/DVD] of
Linux not requiring installation should they wish to find out what Linux has
now become.




Yep . I've switched over to Linux also (at least 95%)

I have found that most old machines that had win9x on them will run

either Puppy Linux or Dam_ Small Linux quite well

On Mon, 04 May 2009 15:02:12 -0500, philo wrote:

MEB wrote:
Now in Linux mode again... and outside of win98.gen forum standards:

The major issue associated with newer Linux compilations when using
older
machines will likely be the display used [almost everything else is
supported natively or via readily downloaded support files, e.g., sound
cards, scanners, cameras, USB devices, printers, etc.].
The defaults now generally found in Linux use EDID and DDC to find the
display/monitor. Older monitors will not be found and you will be
locked into 640x480 or 800x600.

Two choices can be used to work around the issue.
Manually editing the xorg.conf file [not for beginners] or using the
messa driver package which includes most of the older display models in
its data base.
A work-around to manually editing the xorg.conf is to install the
COMPLETE messa package [the default installations generally include
just a base installation], use it to create the xorg.conf by setting up
your older display, and then IF NECESSARY install the video adapter
specific files [like for nVidia]. The drivers will use the settings
placed by the messa package related to your display, to setup your
older display with the device specific driver. Workarounds have been
found to do such things as install DirectX and several other issues
that Windows users might be familiar with, or find they need.
IF you want or need to manually setup the xorg.conf [or other conf
files
{configuration files}and settings], *make sure* to first install and/or
setup your ability to become "root" in terminal [kind of like MSDOS
Mode or MSDOS Prompt, or CMD].

Presently I have run short term tests on Ubuntu, Xubuntu, Kubuntu,
SUSE,
Fedora, Simply Mepis, and Debian [gnome and KDE]. These seem to require
at least 384 megs memory and a 500+ Mhz. CPU to run adequately in a
configured installation. More memory, bigger drives, and faster CPUs
are not an issue in Linux and will make the experience more enjoyable.

There are now several other packages available to run Windows within
Linux,
beyond Wine [including VMWare]. Windows users can also install Linux
into a virtual machine in Windows, or create or download "Live disks"
[CD/DVD] of Linux not requiring installation should they wish to find
out what Linux has now become.




Yep . I've switched over to Linux also (at least 95%)

I have found that most old machines that had win9x on them will run

either Puppy Linux or Dam_ Small Linux quite well

darn-small linux runs good, but is a little too feature-lite for me to be
interested in it. Puppy runs great but I didn't think program repository
selection was very good.

On Mon, 04 May 2009 15:02:12 -0500, philo wrote:

MEB wrote:
Now in Linux mode again... and outside of win98.gen forum standards:

The major issue associated with newer Linux compilations when using
older
machines will likely be the display used [almost everything else is
supported natively or via readily downloaded support files, e.g., sound
cards, scanners, cameras, USB devices, printers, etc.].
The defaults now generally found in Linux use EDID and DDC to find the
display/monitor. Older monitors will not be found and you will be
locked into 640x480 or 800x600.

Two choices can be used to work around the issue.
Manually editing the xorg.conf file [not for beginners] or using the
messa driver package which includes most of the older display models in
its data base.
A work-around to manually editing the xorg.conf is to install the
COMPLETE messa package [the default installations generally include
just a base installation], use it to create the xorg.conf by setting up
your older display, and then IF NECESSARY install the video adapter
specific files [like for nVidia]. The drivers will use the settings
placed by the messa package related to your display, to setup your
older display with the device specific driver. Workarounds have been
found to do such things as install DirectX and several other issues
that Windows users might be familiar with, or find they need.
IF you want or need to manually setup the xorg.conf [or other conf
files
{configuration files}and settings], *make sure* to first install and/or
setup your ability to become "root" in terminal [kind of like MSDOS
Mode or MSDOS Prompt, or CMD].

Presently I have run short term tests on Ubuntu, Xubuntu, Kubuntu,
SUSE,
Fedora, Simply Mepis, and Debian [gnome and KDE]. These seem to require
at least 384 megs memory and a 500+ Mhz. CPU to run adequately in a
configured installation. More memory, bigger drives, and faster CPUs
are not an issue in Linux and will make the experience more enjoyable.

There are now several other packages available to run Windows within
Linux,
beyond Wine [including VMWare]. Windows users can also install Linux
into a virtual machine in Windows, or create or download "Live disks"
[CD/DVD] of Linux not requiring installation should they wish to find
out what Linux has now become.




Yep . I've switched over to Linux also (at least 95%)

I have found that most old machines that had win9x on them will run

either Puppy Linux or Dam_ Small Linux quite well

darn-small linux runs good, but is a little too feature-lite for me to be
interested in it. Puppy runs great but I didn't think program repository
selection was very good.

On Mon, 04 May 2009 14:44:05 -0400, MEB wrote:
.. Older monitors will not be found and you will be locked
into 640x480 or 800x600.

I have more issues finding drivers for newer lcd displays than older ones.

Two choices can be used to work around the issue.
Manually editing the xorg.conf file [not for beginners] or using the
messa driver package which includes most of the older display models in
its data base.

IF you want or need to manually setup the xorg.conf [or other conf
files
{configuration files}and settings], *make sure* to first install and/or
setup your ability to become "root" in terminal [kind of like MSDOS Mode
or MSDOS Prompt, or CMD].


this worked for me with my newer lcd displays, yes. My old display on
the windows 98 machine, just defaulted to 1028x768 fine.

Presently I have run short term tests on Ubuntu, Xubuntu, Kubuntu,
SUSE,
Fedora, Simply Mepis, and Debian [gnome and KDE]. These seem to require
at least 384 megs memory and a 500+ Mhz. CPU to run adequately in a
configured installation. More memory, bigger drives, and faster CPUs are
not an issue in Linux and will make the experience more enjoyable.

this version doesn't uses gnome or kde so it runs with much lower system
specs.

There are now several other packages available to run Windows within
Linux,
beyond Wine [including VMWare]. Windows users can also install Linux
into a virtual machine in Windows, or create or download "Live disks"
[CD/DVD] of Linux not requiring installation should they wish to find
out what Linux has now become.

If you have windows, you can do this yes. I run win3x in a vmware. wine
doesn't run windows as it is a windows emulator for running windows
applications.

--
~
--

On Mon, 04 May 2009 14:44:05 -0400, MEB wrote:
.. Older monitors will not be found and you will be locked
into 640x480 or 800x600.

I have more issues finding drivers for newer lcd displays than older ones.

Two choices can be used to work around the issue.
Manually editing the xorg.conf file [not for beginners] or using the
messa driver package which includes most of the older display models in
its data base.

IF you want or need to manually setup the xorg.conf [or other conf
files
{configuration files}and settings], *make sure* to first install and/or
setup your ability to become "root" in terminal [kind of like MSDOS Mode
or MSDOS Prompt, or CMD].


this worked for me with my newer lcd displays, yes. My old display on
the windows 98 machine, just defaulted to 1028x768 fine.

Presently I have run short term tests on Ubuntu, Xubuntu, Kubuntu,
SUSE,
Fedora, Simply Mepis, and Debian [gnome and KDE]. These seem to require
at least 384 megs memory and a 500+ Mhz. CPU to run adequately in a
configured installation. More memory, bigger drives, and faster CPUs are
not an issue in Linux and will make the experience more enjoyable.

this version doesn't uses gnome or kde so it runs with much lower system
specs.

There are now several other packages available to run Windows within
Linux,
beyond Wine [including VMWare]. Windows users can also install Linux
into a virtual machine in Windows, or create or download "Live disks"
[CD/DVD] of Linux not requiring installation should they wish to find
out what Linux has now become.

If you have windows, you can do this yes. I run win3x in a vmware. wine
doesn't run windows as it is a windows emulator for running windows
applications.

--
~
--

No Alternative wrote:
On Mon, 04 May 2009 14:44:05 -0400, MEB wrote:
.. Older monitors will not be found and you will be locked
into 640x480 or 800x600.

I have more issues finding drivers for newer lcd displays than older ones.

Yeah, that appears at times, though with the numerous
newsgroups/forums/etc.. one can generally find SOMEONE who has already
worked out the necessary generic settings.

Two choices can be used to work around the issue.
Manually editing the xorg.conf file [not for beginners] or using the
messa driver package which includes most of the older display models in
its data base.

IF you want or need to manually setup the xorg.conf [or other conf
files
{configuration files}and settings], *make sure* to first install and/or
setup your ability to become "root" in terminal [kind of like MSDOS Mode
or MSDOS Prompt, or CMD].


this worked for me with my newer lcd displays, yes. My old display on
the windows 98 machine, just defaulted to 1028x768 fine.

The defaults for these [on the test machines with the mentioned
compilations] turned out to be 800x600 with only 640x480 as an option
until running the messa config.

The idea for the original comment was for the many Windows converts
who end up complaining about no support for their older CRTs or screens,
going the various support forums or otherwise and being told how to
MANUALLY edit the xorg.conf.
The messa utility gives them the more comfortable and familiar "pick
from the list" they had with Windows.


Presently I have run short term tests on Ubuntu, Xubuntu, Kubuntu,
SUSE,
Fedora, Simply Mepis, and Debian [gnome and KDE]. These seem to require
at least 384 megs memory and a 500+ Mhz. CPU to run adequately in a
configured installation. More memory, bigger drives, and faster CPUs are
not an issue in Linux and will make the experience more enjoyable.

this version doesn't uses gnome or kde so it runs with much lower system
specs.

Right. There are numerous compilations with plainer GUI interfaces.
I suppose that is the hardest for many to understand, the ability to
download one GUIed version and install another GUI while having the
ability to switch back and forth, or mix and match among the various
offerings related to the GUIs...

There are now several other packages available to run Windows within
Linux,
beyond Wine [including VMWare]. Windows users can also install Linux
into a virtual machine in Windows, or create or download "Live disks"
[CD/DVD] of Linux not requiring installation should they wish to find
out what Linux has now become.

If you have windows, you can do this yes. I run win3x in a vmware. wine
doesn't run windows as it is a windows emulator for running windows
applications.

I suppose what I originally wrote was somewhat misleading.. the idea
is to note the ability to use their familiar "Windows" [which is really
based more upon familiar applications than the actual OS]. Between the
emulators and the virtual machines, they need not leave their
comfortable Windows, yet they don't NEED the newest computer to *use*
another Microsoft OS ... and yet still be able to progress to a newer OS
in which they can do the things they now can't in Windows 9X.. using
such things as Open Office, Kommander or Gnome Commander [based upon
their favourite file managers] or staying with the pre-configured
Nautilus {like Explorer}, and other like/similar applications.