What hardware will LINUX run on 386/486 ?


 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Operating Systems Linux What hardware will LINUX run on 386/486 ?
# 1  
Old 07-03-2009
What hardware will LINUX run on 386/486 ?

I'm really new to this and I want to learn UNIX/LINUX and saw the post about setting up a server to use everyday to practice. I have an old 386 PC and a 486 PC sitting around. Can they be reformatted and used to run UNIX/LINUX on as a network.
# 2  
Old 07-03-2009
Short answer: Yes
Long answer: Yes, but it'll take some time to install and you'll have no eye-candy.

AFAIK, the only distributions still supporting 486 CPUs are Slackware and Debian. Maybe even Ubuntu, but don't expect the GUI to be responsive. If you've got a whole lot of time, you could try Linux from Scratch. On a P90 it took me 2 weeks from zero to a half-way decent system (including some BLFS software)

Also, I don't think the BIOS' on those systems can cope with dates > 1999-12-31, so expect some oddities there.
# 3  
Old 07-03-2009
Question Minimum Linux Hardware for Newbie

I'm going to be taking two computer maintenance class in the fall so I can learn to build and maintain my future systems. what is the minimum hardware requirements I can use to run some version of Linux (easiest version for a ground floor newbie). So if I run across some smoking deals on used systems, I'll know what I need to buy

thanks for the help

PS I'm so new, I start CIS 105 class and a "Microsoft Command Line" Class this coming Tuesday. That's so I can take the 2 computer maintenance classes and a Linux class in the fall
# 4  
Old 07-03-2009
Minimum requirements for Debian are: 486, 48 MB RAM, ~250 MB HDD (not including swap space). But that means: no GUI, no eye candy, and a good knowledge of what you're doing.

For beginners it's probably better to start with OpenSuSE/Fedora/Ubuntu/Mint, and work you way down. But for those to feel good you'll need (guesstimating here) a P3 ~1GHz, 512 MB RAM, and about 1 GB HDD space.

If you've got a reasonable system already you could give VirtualBox or VMware a try.
# 5  
Old 07-03-2009
thanks for the information. I just got my Book in the Mail for my "MS command Line" class. I have to go buy a USB 3.5 floppy drive. boy haven't had to use a 3.5 floppy disk for a couple of years.

thanks again the info is really appreciated
Login or Register to Ask a Question

Previous Thread | Next Thread

6 More Discussions You Might Find Interesting

1. UNIX for Beginners Questions & Answers

Bash script won't run because hardware won't produce display

Can anyone offer any advice on how to modify the script below to work on a new system we have, that has no graphics capability? We admin the system through a serial RAS device. I've tried running the below script through the RAS and through an ssh -X session. It failed with something like "GTK... (3 Replies)
Discussion started by: yelirt5
3 Replies

2. Hardware

Does this hardware works with Linux

Hello folks, I pretend acquire this hardware: 1-Motherboard Asus Skt1151 - H110M-A/M.2 (https://www.asus.com/pt/Motherboards...cifications/); 2-Intel i5 6400 2.7Ghz QuadCore Skt1151; or 2-Intel i5 6500 3.2Ghz QuadCore Skt1151; 3-Dimm 8GB DDR4 Kingston CL15 2133Mhz; Obvious I pretend... (1 Reply)
Discussion started by: enodev
1 Replies

3. SCO

Recommendation for hardware to run SCO OSR 5.0.7 natively

Looking for a modern server to run SCO OSR 5.0.7 without VM (native), h/w must have manufacturers warranty. Requirements would be to accommodate light loads of up to 15 users, app does not take more than 30 - 40 MB of RAM and data stored takes up to 15 - 20 GB, no internet connections... (3 Replies)
Discussion started by: migurus
3 Replies

4. UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

With Linux do Hardware Brands Matter?

We have run software on Dell Servers w/ Windows and seen the performance degrade overtime. We switched to an IBM server w/ AIX and have not seen the same performance degradation over time. In fact, the IBM servers are at least five years old and continue to preform well at the same level. How... (2 Replies)
Discussion started by: bggibson
2 Replies

5. UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

Linux on custom hardware

I would like to configure a bare minimum Linux with internet browser on a system with Flash & RAM (but no harddisk or any other nonvolatile storage). Please advise. (5 Replies)
Discussion started by: rherb
5 Replies

6. UNIX Desktop Questions & Answers

Where can I find a Unix OS that will run on a 386 processor?

Hey, can anyone recommend a URL (or website) where I can download a basic (or old) UNIX OS that will run on an ancient laptop that has a 386 processor, 4MB of RAM and a 40MB harddrive? Your help and suggestions are much appreciated! :confused: (4 Replies)
Discussion started by: methudrez
4 Replies
Login or Register to Ask a Question