The Tiger :
I have salvaged an old P-4 (2.6 GHz, 512 MB RAM, 80GB HDD). I'd like to install Linux in it and use it for torrent downloading and web surfing. What is the best looking Linux that would be run by this machine? It would be the best if you could provide a download link to the Distro.
PS: I've never used any computer OS other than windows, and so, please suggest a user friendly Linux.
Thank you so much.
Hi, I realize this thread is getting a little old now, but just wanted to throw in my experience to the mix as well, hopefully be helpful....
Typing this on a 12-yr-old Asus board, 1.3 ghz chip, 1GB Ram, running Ubuntu 11.10. Wireless adapter detected and ran straight out of the box, no issues. Graphics, sound, etc....all working well. So is torrent downloading.
I did try 12.04 first, found it a little too slow for this old machine. I noticed you have a faster chip but less RAM, so not sure if that would balance out or not. But Ubuntu runs pretty well for the basics. Even does Windows shares back and forth with the rest of my network.
Only thing so far I don't like is having to open Dash Home and search for programs, kind of a pain.
I do have to agree with u_gonna_squeal, XP is still the best running OS on these oldies - I've got dual boot on this one and XP is definitely quicker and smoother.