Could I start a webserver using DSL

Forum: Other Help Topics
Topic: Could I start a webserver using DSL
started by: totalshredder

Posted by totalshredder on Dec. 31 2004,01:32

Here's all the specs I can remember:

Compaq Presario CDS 972 (bought in 1995 new)
Processer: Pentium 75 (75 mhz)
RAM: 85 MB
Hard Drive: 400 MB (DSL is only 50 MBs, so I should be fine there, right?)
LAN: Realtek RTL8139 PCI
Has a Floppy
4x CD-ROM Drive
14.4k Modem (haha)
(Has run windows 95, pretty well)

First off, tell me whether I could run a webserver off of that. If not, could I run DSL with GUI on it?

Also, I heard I would need a boot floppy. I downloaded the file that would be needed to make one, but there's a problem, from the 4 computers I have with me here, none have a working floppy drive (the laptops are newer so they didn't come with one, and the two PCs just keep asking me to format, but that won't work, I think somebody stuck something in them, or messed them up). I might just have to have a friend make the floppy for me, but any help on doing this without a floppy would be great. If I were to get a friend to make the floppy, how would they do it?

EDIT: I think I can get past this floppy problem, I am going to burn rawwrite to a CD, as well as the floppy image, then I am going to run it from DOS mode or win3.1(from the old PC). Then I can have to boot floppy, which I can then use for booting DSL. I'll get back to you guys on what happens. Don't use this as a reason to not post help though!!! (I really want to know, and this might not work)

Thanks for any help, and if you gave me any other tips for DSL on the computer I am trying to set up, they would help me a lot. Thanks in advance!!

Luke D

EDIT: If I could get the 400MB drive to work, I would be able to load a larger HD in a flash. ;)

Posted by ke4nt1 on Dec. 31 2004,03:15

Is the computer able to boot from a CD ?
If not, get the boot image from the repository...
and try a fresh floppy disk, as it's common to see that error message
if the floppy your trying to use is bunk..

The "monkey web server" , built into DSL, would run nicely on that box ..
And I see no reason why you can't get into "X" either..

I have a toshiba laptop, p100 , with 40MB's of ram, and I get X ..

No reason to think you can't do both, and surf the net,
and manage files.. 400MB of HD is fine for lots of webpages,
extensions, and DSL..

You lan card should be no problem, and I bet that your 14,400 is a true
modem, so give it a shot as well, if you can..

Let us know how it goes..
DSL "likes" boxes just like yours..

73
ke4nt

Posted by totalshredder on Dec. 31 2004,03:52

Thanks Kent,

The installation went great! I had to do some work in DOS, to finaly create the boot disk, but with some work(one full play through my favorite CD) I was looking at a GUI. I haven't connected to the internet yet(I havent gone downstairs with my computer... "downstairs" is where the router is) but I plan on doing that next!

I do have three problems/questions.

The first is that the monitor shows about 16 colors(great). It's a good monitor (32bit color), I don't know exactly why that didn't work. Maybe it had to do with the fact that when I booted it up it asked me a question about my monitor, and I just picked the first option. We'll see what happens when I try again.

Second, is that I want to know if there is some type of freeware program that will let me completely format my C drive and make it linux native. could I use fdisk? or the "format C:" command in dos? I think I want to completely install DSL onto the computer.

And last, I couldn't open up pathetic word, or Xpaint, or some of the other programs. I was, however, able to open the pac-man game and the bash and Csh shells... more of the simple stuff.

I'll get back to you guys on the status of the computer. This thing really made my day.

Thanks a lot!

(is there an outside shot that I could run age of empires II on DSL? haha, I'm just about to play the game, it's a family favorite that we play using all of our computers. Annother one would be cool ;).)