Discussion, talk and tips
https://forum.puppylinux.com/
I've never tried Linux before. This is the first time I'm going to try Linux
Excuse me, I have no experience with Linux, but I loved it and wanted to try it
My question is
which
distribution is suitable for the computer
computer specifications screenshot
lenovo thinkcentre mt-m 9389-cto
@Puppy Linux - as you have an older, lower spec machine, maybe try this one:
https://sourceforge.net/projects/zestyp ... o/download
whatever version of Puppy you try.
Try using it without trying to install it to the internal drive of the computer.
Use it installed on a USB stick or burn the ISO image to a CD or DVD.
Boot the computer from one of these installs and see how you like it and how it runs.
If computer can boot from a USB install.
That would be best to use.
If the Puppy you installed on the USB is not what you like.
Delete the install and install a different Puppy version and try it.
Making a USB or CD to boot Puppy the first time
viewtopic.php?t=5192
This section of the forum has good info to know:
viewforum.php?f=184
Although @ozsouth is correct that your computer is low spec, it is a 64 bit cpu and can run 64 bit Pups. I have several of that class running successfully. Since you are new to Puppy Linux take a look at this:
viewtopic.php?t=6953
viewtopic.php?t=5192
Try this one since it has added help files:
wizard
@Puppy Linux :-
wizard wrote: ↑Sat Dec 03, 2022 3:59 pm@Puppy Linux
Although @ozsouth is correct that your computer is low spec, it is a 64 bit cpu and can run 64 bit Pups. I have several of that class running successfully. Since you are new to Puppy Linux take a look at this:
viewtopic.php?t=6953
viewtopic.php?t=5192Try this one since it has added help files:
wizard
Yup; I concur.
My mate - just hit 75, and a real tech "dinosaur" if ever there was one - has an elderly Dell Inspiron 530s 'slimline' desktop from the Vista era with that exact same CPU! His Vista install became very, very sick - wouldn't update, wouldn't run properly, and he had no specific need for Windows. I installed Puppy on there for him several years ago; as long as he's got a working browser, that's all he really wants. Currently, it's got Bionic64 on there; haven't managed to get over to his for nearly 3 years, what with COVID buggering everything up, but I see no reason why Fossa64 wouldn't run on there.
You should have no problems with that machine. Grab a handful of Puppies.....and just try 'em out. See what ya like the look of, and most importantly, find out which ones play the 'nicest' with your hardware.
We're always here, so.....any probs, don't hesitate to drop us a line. Just remember one thing, please; one thread, one subject. Open as many threads as you need to.....a thread crammed with lots of different questions gets confusing for everybody, REAL fast!
Mike. 
ozsouth wrote: ↑Sat Dec 03, 2022 2:53 am@Puppy Linux - as you have an older, lower spec machine, maybe try this one:
https://sourceforge.net/projects/zestyp ... o/download
I'll give it a try
bigpup wrote: ↑Sat Dec 03, 2022 6:19 amwhatever version of Puppy you try.
Try using it without trying to install it to the internal drive of the computer.
Use it installed on a USB stick or burn the ISO image to a CD or DVD.
Boot the computer from one of these installs and see how you like it and how it runs.
If computer can boot from a USB install.
That would be best to use.
If the Puppy you installed on the USB is not what you like.
Delete the install and install a different Puppy version and try it.Making a USB or CD to boot Puppy the first time
viewtopic.php?t=5192This section of the forum has good info to know:
viewforum.php?f=184
I haven't tried any version yet
Because I don't know what version is suitable for my device
Can you help me choose the most suitable one
There is probably no "perfect" version, many will work just fine. I recommend this one first because it has the detailed help files a new user will need.
https://sourceforge.net/projects/friend ... o/download
wizard
Ditto what's been written before, emphasizing try several first from a USB-Key. As your probably currently running Windows, read the post here, about the simplest way to deploy Puppys to a USB-Key. https://www.forum.puppylinux.com/viewto ... 522#p40522
My recollection is Wizard has done a very good job in building a newby friendly Puppy, easing the learning curve from Windows. https://www.forum.puppylinux.com/viewto ... 902#p43902. I'm not running it right now so don't recall to what extent this advice applies to it. But my general recommendation is that newbies install two applications: Setup>Puppy Packages Manager, type the following into the search box:
xfe (note the spelling and you'll want the themes). This is a duel-pane with optional tree view file-manager, kind of like Windows xplorer lite. Screen shot here, viewtopic.php?p=43817&sid=8b45ac46c1f0d ... 32c#p43817 Puppy's default file-manager, rox, is the best, but it has some quirks and a so learning curve.
xfce4-appfinder . This is an application launcher which, in addition to the name of the application, provides information about what it does. It also provides a search bar: typing into it a term such as 'edit' will generate a list of all applications providing an editing function. Also install the xfce_read-jwm.pet from here, https://www.forum.puppylinux.com/viewto ... 513#p21513 which also shows appfinder's GUI.
You can place launchers to both of those on your task bar.
Although your computer has only 2 Gbs of RAM, up-grading to 4 Gbs will not cost much. https://www.mrmemory.co.uk/memory-ram-u ... /m55e-9389. As it's a desktop even someone 'all thumbs' like me can manage to install/replace memory cards. With 4 Gbs the 'world is your oyster'.
Until then, just keep this in mind. Puppy and most applications you'll run under it are light on resources. The exceptions are Web-browsers. Just opening any will require roughly 120 Mbs of RAM (+30 for some) but every graphic intensive web-page will eat up another 100 Mbs of RAM. Web-sites store 'cache' on your computer for each page you open (so that they don't have to transmit it again the next time you view that page). This can quickly build up. Under Puppys by default that cache uses RAM. Although there are other ways to work-around that, the easiest is to use portable web-browsers you'll find here, https://www.forum.puppylinux.com/viewforum.php?f=90. These are like Window's portable programs: they aren't installed so you can run them from anywhere. But one of the best feature of portables for Puppys is that they are 'self-contained'. Run from outside of Puppy --e.g. from what Puppys see as /mnt/home or a different drive or partition-- web-cache is automatically directed into the web-browser's own folder and not into RAM.
The link I provided above is for Friendly-Fossa64 and it already contains XFE file manager (as well as Firefox browser and VLC media player). Appfinder is a great addition (it will be in the next Friendly-Fossa64 release).
Mikeslr is correct about more ram improving your system. The Thinkcentre can use either pc2-5300 or pc2-6400 desktop ram. You currently have 2, 1gb pc2-6400 sticks, so you should buy 2, 2gb pc2-6400's. If you have access to Ebay, I recently bought about 10, 2gb sticks from this sellers auctions, average price was about $1.75ea US.
https://www.ebay.com/str/3cpartssuperma ... 3561.l2563
wizard