What does Linux Mint need to operate?

[Gramps]

Hello all!

I'm brand new to linux and pretty new to computers. I've only been using computers for a year now. I have a pretty old computer; it is a Pentium 800 mhz. and has 256 mb RAM and a 30 GB hard drive. Will Linux Mint work on this? Do you have a forum for beginners? I am 59 years old and the old brain is not as quick as it used to be. Is this operating system going to be a good choice for someone my age? One of the young fellas in town told me to try Linux Mint.

Sorry to take up your time,

Gramps

[clem]

Hi,

Linux Mint comes as a live CD, which means you can start your computer with the CD inside it, and it will run the system even before it's installed. Because of your hardware specs, it might be very slow.. however, once it's installed on your hard drive, it should run fine.

Linux is said to be hard and complex. However, I find it easier to use than Windows. If I was to recommend an OS to my grandmother, it would be Linux with Gnome, and not Windows... no virus, no registry cleaning, no antispyware, no defragmentation... in fact, you don't need to know much about Linux to be able to enjoy it. Well, she can't see the screen (she's quite old), so that solves the problem

Linux Mint is a good option for novice users, as it comes installed with a lot of things you would have had a hard time installing yourself (mp3 support, reading DVD discs etc..).

PS: Don't be sorry to take anyone's time. You'll meet a lot of people on the forums and on the IRC, not only from the Linux Mint community, but Linux users in general.. you'll see, people are usually very welcoming and eager to help.

In brief, if you're not "used to" windows, you should find Linux Mint quite easy.

Good luck and enjoy your first steps under Linux.
Clem

[sgstarling]

I'd like to add that I've spent 2 months with Ubuntu, and then recently switched to Linux Mint.

I'm very happy I did.

[900i]

My Minty system is my "slow" laptop in my sig and it is well up to the job .

[quickstart]

I'm running Linux Mint Bea here on my old 800 Mhz AMD, 256 MB ram, 20 gig hard drive, viewed through an old Dell 17" crt monitor. So, yes, yours should be ok too. The only problem was playing a dvd movie. The software would try to play it, but no joy. I'm pretty sure this is due to my pc's lack of a separate
graphics card. I've had probs in the past with screen resolutions due to this.
On the whole though, this is one of the best Linux distros I've used and I've gone through plenty, including various BSD's, and lately Open Solaris.

[Gramps]

My computer has Windows 2000 on it at the present. It was a system that was going to be trashed by the quarry I was working at. Asked for it and they gave it to me. Opened it up and blew the rock dust and dirt out of it. Cleaned up the case exterior and it looked real nice. Bought a new keyboard and mouse at Wal-Mart and away we went. The Windows needs to be re-installed I've been told. I don't care for the problems I've had with it and think what Microsoft charges for it is robbery. Costs most of a weeks wages to purchase Windows 2000. Have a young fella, who I allow to hunt on my land, that helped me get started with the computer. He said he would help me install your Linux and get started with it for a bit. Don't have internet, to far out in the hills and poor phone lines. Writing to you from the "rent the internet" shop in town.

Thanks from the Missouri Ozark hills - Missouri - US of A
Gramps

[jonpackard]

Welcome to Linux Gramps! I found your story to be an inspiration. It's really great that your friend is helping you get started with Linux. A lot of people have the misconception that Linux is an operating system for computer experts. The fact is, most people have been using Microsoft Windows for most of their lives and trying something different sounds difficult to them. I think you will find Linux Mint to be easy to use and a great alternative to using Microsoft Windows.

[bob]

Gramps, I'm nearly 62 and picked up Linux after retirement. Right now, I'm quint-booting Fedora Core 6, Mandriva 2007, Mint, Ubnutu and PCLinuxOS and am moderator for two different distro forums. If you have the time and interest, you'll really love linux and the community will be more than happy to fill in the gaps as you learn. So, hang in there kid - it's gonna be a fun ride!

[Fragadelic]

Hello all!

I'm brand new to linux and pretty new to computers. I've only been using computers for a year now. I have a pretty old computer; it is a Pentium 800 mhz. and has 256 mb RAM and a 30 GB hard drive. Will Linux Mint work on this? Do you have a forum for beginners? I am 59 years old and the old brain is not as quick as it used to be. Is this operating system going to be a good choice for someone my age? One of the young fellas in town told me to try Linux Mint.

Sorry to take up your time,

Gramps

You'll have no problem running Mint on that PC. In fact I have more PC's in the house with lower specs than that one. The laptop I'm posting this with is just about the same as your PC.

This forum is for everyone. Beginners to expert! We're all here by choice.

Ask anything you need to and I'm sure I won't be the only one offering up answers. Lots of good folks here that are more than willing to help you and anyone else out.

Welcome to the wonderful world of Linux.

[clem]

Lots of good folks here

That's right. Some kind of a little community got here on these forums. I'm starting to remember some of the nicknames that come here often and I have to say I'm very happy with the general ambiance that you guys created.

Remind me to look into that avatar problem and to fix the forums for that. It wouldn't harm if we could put a face or an avatar on each other

Clem

[clem]

I changed my login to clem by the way... some people called me root and I was a bit too impressed by that

[Fragadelic]

Just don't allow linked avatars since we had problems with them for various reasons.

Try to find a set of penguin related ones and let folks pick their own from there.

You caught me by surprise - seeing clem instead of root - lol.

I'm here to stay. I really like Mint - it feels like home.