I need OS advice for some retro rigs! \ VOGONS

I need OS advice for some retro rigs!

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First post, by Arctic

Posted on 2017-05-05, 01:12

Arctic Offline

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01. Dual Pentium 3 1.0EB GHz / 2048MB SD133 CL2 / Epox EP-D3VA / TEST CARD Geforce FX 5200 128MB / or any suggestions?
02. Pentium III-S 1400MHz (Tualatin-512k) SL6BY / 512MB SD133 2-3-2-8 / Asus TUSL2-C / Voodoo 5 5500 64MB AGP 2x
03. Mobile Pentium II-PE 366MHz (Dixon) / 224MB SD66 CL2 2-2-2 / ThinkPad 600E (440BX) / NeoMagic MagicMedia256AV (Thinkpad 600E)

I already have Windows 98SE running on most of the others, so I don't really need another one. Any suggestions?
Should I install Windows 95 on system 03 since it has no 3D accelerator anyway?

What about OS/2?

Last edited by Arctic on 2017-05-05, 12:31. Edited 1 time in total.

Reply 1 of 9, by Jorpho

Posted on 2017-05-05, 01:26

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I always say: decide what you're going to do with these systems, and choose the OS accordingly. If they're just going to go in a corner and collect dust, then it doesn't really matter what you choose. I guess I'm not much fun. 😜

If you have some burning need for the Windows 95 experience, then go ahead and install it, but I can't see any particular advantage that would give you on a system with 224 MB of RAM.

If you install OS/2 then it is very likely you will spend half an hour poking at it and then never use it again.

Reply 2 of 9, by luisile

Posted on 2017-05-05, 19:09

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Best answer what you can get...

Reply 3 of 9, by Arctic

Posted on 2017-05-06, 09:19

Arctic Offline

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Jorpho wrote:
I always say: decide what you're going to do with these systems, and choose the OS accordingly. If they're just going to go in a corner and collect dust, then it doesn't really matter what you choose. I guess I'm not much fun. 😜

If you have some burning need for the Windows 95 experience, then go ahead and install it, but I can't see any particular advantage that would give you on a system with 224 MB of RAM.

If you install OS/2 then it is very likely you will spend half an hour poking at it and then never use it again.

I am not a beginner in this area. So creating problems and solving them is part of the hobby for me.
Installing an OS that I have never used before will most likely create problems. Solving them is fun! 😁

I am not trying to build a machine with a purpose per sé...

So no recommendations besides Windows 98 and Windows XP?
I was hoping to hear something along the lines of:

"If you have an xyz, you should totally install OS blah.
Then you could check out yaddeeyah and such."

Last edited by Arctic on 2017-05-06, 09:24. Edited 1 time in total.

Reply 4 of 9, by xjas

Posted on 2017-05-06, 09:22

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That dual P3 would probably make a fantastic Haiku machine. 😁

twitch.tv/oldskooljay - playing the obscure, forgotten & weird - most Tuesdays & Thursdays @ 6:30 PM PDT. Bonus streams elsewhen!

Reply 5 of 9, by Arctic

Posted on 2017-05-06, 09:28

Arctic Offline

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xjas wrote:
That dual P3 would probably make a fantastic Haiku machine. 😁

Yay! Thank you for your response!
I will check it out 😀

Reply 6 of 9, by Jorpho

Posted on 2017-05-06, 16:09

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So, you're just looking for random operating systems that will cause problems?

Plan 9
Solaris
BeOS
NetBSD
OS/2
Syllable
Breadbox Ensemble
ReactOS
Darwin x86
Android x86 / RemixOS
QNX
EDIT: MenuetOS

I don't think it matters what you try to install them on, since using non-recommended hardware will cause more problems.

Last edited by Jorpho on 2017-05-08, 01:35. Edited 1 time in total.

Reply 7 of 9, by jade_angel

Posted on 2017-05-08, 01:17

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Of those, NetBSD should be a pretty smooth experience, actually. The others? Various levels of sticky. Though I do rather like OS/2 - pure crazy sentimentalism. It's what I had on my first "real computer".

Main Box: Macbook Pro M2 Max
Alas, I'm down to emulation.

Reply 8 of 9, by RetroGamingNovice

Posted on 2017-05-13, 07:50

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At 224MB? You can get away with minimal Debian Stable if considering any Linux distros.

Bare minimum required RAM for Debian is 128MB with just the console.
With a desktop, you need 256MB.

PC hardware: Ryzen 5 4500, 32GB RAM, 1TB SN 570 Linux drive, 500GB 970 EVO Plus Windows drive, 2TB 970 EVO Plus games drive, 1TB 870 EVO extra storage drive, RX 6600 GPU, EndeavourOS/Win10 dual-boot

Reply 9 of 9, by chinny22

Posted on 2017-05-13, 18:57

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System 1 I would go with Win2k and play Win9x games on it
System 3, Stupid fast Win3x? http://ps-2.kev009.com/pcpartnerinfo/ctstips/edda.htm

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