Best OS for slow computer

[rdagger]

A friend has a 266MHz 128MB RAM Pentium computer that they want to use for email and Internet.
What would be the fastest operating system?
I was thinking maybe Windows 98SE Lite.  Are there any Linux versions that are optimized for slow computers?

[TMS]

Linux will run on a toaster, but unless the person knows *nix I would use 98 or NT4

[CCM]

Definitely 98SE.  LIke the previous poster said, unless you (or your friend) already know Linux it wouldn't be worth it.  I've never been a big fan of NT4...

[JoyMonkey]

If you want to see if a Linux distro would be an option, give Slax a quick try:
http://slax.linux-live.org/

It's a 'live cd', so you don't need to install anything and it won't touch your hard drive. Just drop it into your cd drive and reboot.

[missioncontrol]

98 SE is my recomendation too

[ha-Y-n]

98SE

[ChadTower]

With 98 you're going to have to drop more RAM in that thing or the OLD hard drive is going to be dead in a month from all the page swapping it's going to have to do.

[rdagger]

If you want to see if a Linux distro would be an option, give Slax a quick try:
http://slax.linux-live.org/

It's a 'live cd', so you don't need to install anything and it won't touch your hard drive. Just drop it into your cd drive and reboot.

I've used Fedora and RedHat and they seem slower than Win98.  I'm downloading Slax right now to give it a test.  Since it doesn't require installation I figure it couldn't hurt.  My guess is I'll probably end up just going with the Win98se with the free version of Windows 98 Lite.

[markb]

I'll go against the grain a little and go for XP. I've installed it on several machines which were around about 300mhz with 128mb ram and it runs okay as long as you start disabling stuff like screensavers, wallpapers etc.

[ha-Y-n]

I'll go against the grain a little and go for XP. I've installed it on several machines which were around about 300mhz with 128mb ram and it runs okay as long as you start disabling stuff like screensavers, wallpapers etc.

no sp1 or sp2, either

[rdagger]

I tested Slax at work on a 300 MHz Pentium with 288 MB RAM and it works very well.  Very cool how you just pop a CD in and you have a computer with Internet and an Office suite.  Since it is on a CD there is no worry of viruses or the user messing it up.  Not sure how well it will run with less memory.

[USSEnterprise]

As far as Linux, Ubuntu is the easiest IMO. I had version 4.10 running one a 233MHz and 64MB and no real problems.

[CCM]

With 98 you're going to have to drop more RAM in that thing or the OLD hard drive is going to be dead in a month from all the page swapping it's going to have to do.

128MB is PLENTY for windows 98se.  Infact, the minimum ram requirement for 98se, iirc, is 16mb.  I've had computers run for years with 98se and 64mb ram with no problems or hard drive crashes.

[rdagger]

The problem with Win98 is that is is not quick (especially while using Internet Explorer 6 and anti-virus software).  It also has security issues, can easily be damaged by spyware or viruses and will no longer be supported by Microsoft soon.

I'm already the guy who peole call when their computer isn't working.   I could always make an image of a Win98 drive as soon as it is up and running as a back up.  Still I was looking around to see if there was an OS that would run fast (like if you were to install Windows 3.1 on a 266 MHz it would fly).

Slax might be a solution if there is a way to speed up the boot time.

[JoyMonkey]

Slax might be a solution if there is a way to speed up the boot time.

If you like the way Slax performs on the machine you could try installing Slackware on a hard drive to get it to boot faster, Slax is basically just a minimal version of Slackware running on a live cd.
Or you could try something like Damn Small Linux.

[daywane]

I have Knopix on disk
Works great on some PC.
All but mine . the Modems I have do not work with knopix
I will try the others listed. maybe I will get lucky.... No more virus's 
Joy Monkey ... you always surprise me... I thought you were a DOS mainly person.
never would have thought you liked Linux