jjlax328 Posted January 26, 2007 Report Share Posted January 26, 2007 Hey guys,I know this question will probably lead to many different responses but I'm a fairly new computer user.I have an old desktop computer a friend gave to me, from about the mid 90's.From what I see on it:Dell DimensionPentium 2450 mhz128 mb ram18 gig HDThe previous owner had Windows XP installed on it, and when I tried starting it up...the machine just crawled along. Took like 10 minutes to open a program!I was wondering what would be the best Windows OS to install on an old P.O.S. machine like this one.I would need something basic, with a small footprint in memory I am guessing due to the old machine and slow processor.Willing to try anything now just to get this up and running at a "decent" rate!Im really just looking for something lightweight that wont bog the machine down.I would really appreciate any suggestions and thanks in advance for your help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb Posted January 26, 2007 Report Share Posted January 26, 2007 Welcome to the Windows Forum!This is an interesting question, indeed. What I would recommend is to install the original OS that came with this Dell machine (but not if it was Windows 95, 98, or ME). If you don't have the original OS that came with this Dell, then I would recommend Windows 98SE or 2000. Both 98SE and 2000 are relatively stable operating systems, however both are no longer supported by Microsoft, so you will be operating in an insecure area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted January 26, 2007 Report Share Posted January 26, 2007 You will never get much performance from a machine with a specification like that - certainly nothing that comes anywhere near what you can get with a modern machine.I would query whether it is worth your time, effort and money to continue with this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan2273 Posted January 26, 2007 Report Share Posted January 26, 2007 You could try a Linux OS on it.http://iso.linuxquestions.org/version.php?...linux_mint_2.1_ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coreper Posted January 26, 2007 Report Share Posted January 26, 2007 i would use Win2000 Pro'cause this is a great OS: fast, simple, easy: it works faster than WinXP, its almost as easy to use as WinXP, the Graphic User Interface [GUI] is easy to navigate and looks really simple [classic Windows style]and the Pro version, because that can do just a little more [dont really remember what, but hey> Pro is always better!] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biohazard Posted January 26, 2007 Report Share Posted January 26, 2007 At first i would say windows 98 because thats what the machine was probably made for, but on thye other hand 98 was the biggest piece of crap windows ever made so I agree with the post above me in windows 2000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catgate Posted January 26, 2007 Report Share Posted January 26, 2007 At first i would say windows 98 because thats what the machine was probably made for, but on thye other hand 98 was the biggest piece of crap windows ever made so I agree with the post above me in windows 2000You never tried W95 then??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cozofdeath Posted January 26, 2007 Report Share Posted January 26, 2007 I would say Windows 2000 also. Theres many reasons, but I recently installed it on a machine similar to yours for the same reason you are and I'm very happy with the results. There are many other speed tweaks you could do but having the ntfs file system is a very good thing to have. Of course if you just want the speed Windows 95 or Linux is probably the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cstrikedish Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 At first i would say windows 98 because thats what the machine was probably made forThat is more suit to you. Win98 needs low configure and it is stable, which i used for long time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tk27 Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 add 128m of ram and you'd be perfect with w2k (dont forget to upgrade bios to latest 'a').otherwise w98.good lux Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seshomaru Samma Posted February 2, 2007 Report Share Posted February 2, 2007 Depends what you want to do with itIf you just want to go on the internet , use an IM , edit/view pictures and write some word docs, the ideal OS is PuppyLinux , it runs entirely from RAM and is fast as the devil. It's also very easy to install and infact you dont need to install it , it will run from a CD-ROM just as fast. It's Virus free and has many programmes you can download easily.DSL is another option ,though it is slightly more difficlut to install.If you must use Windows , then 98 is your best bet , though if I'm not mistaken MS doesn't support 98 anymore. If you get a virus , you're on your own.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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