Running on PowerBook

Forum: Laptops
Topic: Running on PowerBook
started by: Bidi

Posted by Bidi on Nov. 29 2004,02:27

I just wanted to know if a PowerBook with 100Mhz, 32MB Ram would be able to run DSL with relative ease? It doesn't have a CD-ROM drive, which means I'll have to install DSL to it's 775MB HD, which shouldn't be a problem. My main concern is the processing speed and if PowerBook had the math co-processor (which I know is need to run this distro).

Posted by littlepenguin on Nov. 29 2004,03:43

'Scuse me, but do you mean the Powerbook that Apple makes? If it is one, then sorry. Apples have a PowerPC proccessor, and Damn Small Linux will only work on Intel/x86 proccessors.

Posted by SaidinUnleashed on Nov. 29 2004,04:09

I think he's talking about an old IBM Powerbook.

If so, it should run, slowly, but it should run.

I hope you aren't paying much for that, though

-J.P.

Posted by Bidi on Nov. 29 2004,13:35

Quote (SaidinUnleashed @ Nov. 28 2004,23:09)

I think he's talking about an old IBM Powerbook.

It was actually the Apple Powerbook. I didn't know DSL didn't run on Apples. For some reason I had it in my head that it would work. Time for google... Either that or not buying it.

Posted by skaos on Nov. 29 2004,14:34

Does it have a powerpc processor? (If it's 680x0, just forget it.) If it has, is it based on pci or nubus? If it is pci, there are several powerpc distros, e.g. yellow dog or mandrake - but I doubt that they will run well on this laptop - both memory and disk probably will be a problem - you could try one of the older versions of Yellow Dog, 2.0 or 2.3 (I have installed ydl1.2 on a pmac 6100 using icewm and it works ok).

If it is nubus based, you need a special kernel which you can find here: < http://nubus-pmac.sourceforge.net/ >
Some more info about linux and nubus macs: < http://www.sonic.net/~mroeder/beowoof/index.html >

Posted by AwPhuch on Nov. 29 2004,16:03

The only linux distro that will run effectively on any MAC/Apple achitecture is < YELLOWDOG LINUX >, it might actually run on that machine..but will be incredibly slow...unless you could kick the ram up some!

Brian
AwPhuch

Posted by skaos on Nov. 29 2004,17:13

If you ditch KDE and Gnome and use something lighter like Fluxbox, Icewm or Fvwm it should work ok (the box I mentioned above have 40 MB). Another thing is that I don't understand how to install it without a cd drive ....

Posted by SaidinUnleashed on Nov. 29 2004,17:35

honestly, i wouldnt get that laptop.

Its an Apple. Its really slow.

Basicly it sucks.

Posted by Mechcozmo on Dec. 19 2004,01:58

It uses a different processor and therefore wouldn't run. And I would beg to differ that it is slow because it is an Apple and it sucks. It can run System 7.5.5 from Apple (free download, something Microsoft hasn't done) very well and can connect to the internet, etc.

Posted by AwPhuch on Dec. 20 2004,05:06

Quote (AwPhuch @ Nov. 29 2004,11:03)

Yellowdog has been compiled and engineered to run on MAC type processors

Brian
AwPhuch

Posted by Bidi on Dec. 20 2004,19:48

I just gave up on the PowerBook idea. There aren't many distos that can run on it and the few that can aren't made for the older ones. Right now I'm just trying to get my older 486SX laptop in working conditions again. It works, but the screen tab broke (the metal one that's also used as a ground). I've tried a few things with not much luck. The best I've come up with is using washers to sandwich the broken tab in.

Posted by SaidinUnleashed on Dec. 20 2004,21:24

But at just 100mhz, even YD will crawl.

Posted by AwPhuch on Dec. 20 2004,22:26

Quote (SaidinUnleashed @ Dec. 20 2004,16:24)

But at just 100mhz, even YD will crawl.

True

Brian
AwPhuch