iB::Topic::DSL running X on 16MB of RAM

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Topic: DSL running X on 16MB of RAM

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livingdaylight Offline

Group: Members
Posts: 7
Joined: Sep. 2005

Posted: Sep. 27 2005,18:13

Quote (adssse @ Sep. 26 2005,21:26)

I grabbed this from the wiki for reference.

Minimum Requirements for DSL with X-windows

* 486dx or 100% compatible processor
* 16mb ram (24mb recommended)
* dual-speed CDROM (quad-speed or better recommended)
* 1.44mb floppy drive (for boot floppy, if needed)
* VGA monitor and video card
* a mouse (serial, ps/2, usb)

Recommended Specs

* Pentium 200mhz
* 64mb ram
* 8x CDROM
* 1.44mb floppy drive (for boot floppy, if needed)
* VGA monitor and video card capable of handling at least 16 bit color
* a mouse with a scroll wheel

Thx for that. That makes it clear. So, in theory i should be able to run X on my laptop but its really gonna be dragging its heels along.

What i'd do for a little extra memory. I can't believe what people are charging even for 16mb of Ram?! For an old laptop like this.

If someone does know of a real cheap contact for memory for old systems (toshiba tecra 510cdt) i'd be grateful. But i haven't seen anything cheap enough to warrant putting my hand in my pocket.
For the current prices i might aswell just buy a better laptop with higher (required/desired) specs. Defeats the purpose otherwise.
Anyways, i'm rambling now.

thank you again,

livingdaylight

sarah

Group: Members
Posts: 73
Joined: Sep. 2005

Posted: Sep. 28 2005,00:14

Having successfully just got DSL up and running on a Toshiba Satellite 100CS with 16MB RAM, I will vouch that it can be done. My machine currently runs like a sloth from a HD install, but I will be increasing the swap when I get a chance, and I am hoping that it will make a difference. I didn't have a CD-ROM and I was unable to coax that baby into running straight from zip drive.

It is astonishing the difference between a P166/48MB ram running from a zip drive vs a P75/16MB RAM running from a HD with 48MB swap. I was lucky enough to find a laptop for AU$50 at a garage sale which has some serious problems with a dead CD-ROM and a HD that's throwing up error messages on boot, but I knew I could run DSL, and as you have already noticed, it was cheaper to buy that machine than to buy RAM for the 100CS.

It can be done though, to get X running on such a low spec machine, and I will be putting full details up on the other thread later, but as was stated earlier, the performance leaves a lot to be desired, and I'm going to be doing some customising of the window manager to draw every little bit out.

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