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Question

Need help installing Ubuntu on a Win98 machine

Jan 12, 2015 4:55AM PST

I've been tasked with installing the latest Ubuntu Linux version on an old HP Pavillion 8562 currently running Win98 and I'm having a lot of trouble. I've downloaded the 32-bit version of Linux but I can't think of how to put it on the PC. It doesn't fit on a CD, and the machine isn't networked in any way. I tried putting it on a thumb drive, but the PC can't see the drive because it's missing the drivers. I don't even know if a PC this old can run Ubuntu. Any advice?

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Does it have to be Ubuntu?
Jan 12, 2015 5:02AM PST

There's a Light version called Lubuntu that fits on a cd. After installation you can add and remove programs to fit your need. Check it out => http://lubuntu.net/

Digger

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Answer
Re: Linux
Jan 12, 2015 5:13AM PST

Given then Windiws 98 had a maximum supported RAM-size of 512 MB (you had to limit it in msconfig if it happened to have more installed, so practically nobody had that) it's unlikely that it will run Ubuntu. Be sure to check the system requirements!

If the BIOS can't be set to boot from a USB-stick (did you check?) you can forget about the USB. That leaves a version of Linux that fits on a CD indeed.

Kees

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Seem to remember...
Jan 12, 2015 5:18AM PST

that 98 wouldn't boot from usb but 98SE would.
Dafydd.

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Depends on the BIOS.
Jan 12, 2015 5:34AM PST

Windows 98 SE had reasonable support for USB (modem, mice, printer), but booting is a different story.

Kees

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Been a long time Kees,
Jan 12, 2015 5:42AM PST

although I do have a 98 machine stacked in my spare bedroom. I really must dig that out.
Dafydd.

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Re: Windows 98
Jan 12, 2015 5:53AM PST

I brought mine to the recycling when I bought a PC with Windows 7 in 2010. My XP machine from 2007 replaced the Windows 98 one (physically). And I still have that on the same location upstairs, connected to a scanner and used to backup to.

Kees

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Answer
Kees noted the smaller machines back then. Look at this.
Jan 12, 2015 5:19AM PST
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To add another limitation to what others have said
Jan 13, 2015 1:43AM PST

I suspect your machine won't support a Linux version with a PAE kernel. Even the later 32 bit versions support larger amounts of RAM requiring that the CPU support PAE. From memory, I think Linux Mint 12 or 13 was the last to offer a non-PAE version. If you look around, you may find some tweaks that allow intervention during the installation to turn off PAE but I think it's probably more hassle than it's worth. Good luck anyway

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Answer
Lubuntu is what you want
Jan 13, 2015 8:56AM PST

You download the ISO and then burn that image file to a CD. If you have very little RAM, there is also an alternative and a minimal text based installation, which then allows use of the fully graphical system. It's all explained at the Lubuntu site.

http://lubuntu.net/