OK, so I'm typing this on Linux right now. Let me point something out: Our household has 2 computers I can use. One is my Linux laptop, which would kick bootay if it had a faster CPU and some decent Gfx, and the desktop, which runs Windows 2000 Pro on a 1.4GHz Athlon (still outdated) and an NVidia 5200 Pro Gfx card with 128MB VRAM. And only 256MB of physical system RAM, not counting the 768MB paging file. Now for the dilemma:
Lately, Windoze has been dozing off even more than I'd expect it to, which is really something. I'm having to endure 10-minute startups just to burn a CD from iTunes (which Linux can NOT run, even with Wine), and 1 in 3 startups crash. The only reason I'm even using it is because it has a faster CPU and a better graphics card. And lately, since I'm not allowed to repartition the hard disk, I'm thinking about installing an embeddable Linux distro (and PLEASE, not Damn Small after all I've been through with it). That way, I could play my newly compiled-from-up-to-the-minute-source-code version of SuperTux, which now requires a 3D accelerator. So, what do all the gaming experts think? Should I:
1. Install an embedded Linux distro (and if so, name one, no Damn Small or coLinux, tried both of them and failed), or
2. Ask to reinstall Windows, start over again, and leave some space for a permanent distro, probably Kubuntu (which might not work)?

But seriously, I'd try the reinstall. It sounds like there may be some issues with either virus/spyware problems, or even problems with the data retrieval from the drive. (Too fragmented, perhaps?)

It may be that 256 MB of RAM just isn't enough, too. It sounds like you're pushing the envelope with that system. (RAM is pretty cheap these days...)

Clean up the system, see how that runs, and if you get performance improvements, maybe try to do a Linux install. If you don't see a good gain from cleaning up the system, then I wouldn't waste my time on running Linux too.

Just get a Mac like LGM hinted :P Its much easier and less hasel..

Heh, nice idea if we weren't so short on funds. LGM's advice (all of it) souds pretty sage. I'll pester my parents for more RAM.

Sounds like RAM to me. 256 isn't very much. Most games require 512 minimum, 1 gig+ recommended. And probably when you try to use iTunes, it uses more RAM than you have, taps into the swap, and therefore slows down the program, causing possible crashes.

So I launch TT first, so it can use physical RAM, then iTunes? Should that work?

If I got a mac I would put linux on it the day I get it.

I would reinstall windows, however, save some space for linux. I would reccomend Xubuntu which is Ubuntu running the awsomely low resource XFCE. Simply-

Download a NORMAL Ubuntu CD. (Not Kubuntu)
Install it normally.
Open Synaptic.
Install the "xubuntu-desktop" package.
Log out and choose XFCE in the GDM session dialog, then log in!

Itunes for windows is a hog, get Winamp or some other low-resource player.

PS: DJ, I know how to dual-boot windows xp/nt/2000 and linux, so if you want to know, just ask.

I would dual-boot the Desktop, I know how, but again, I can't screw the HD up. I was planning on reinstalling and adding a partition, but again, that's a no.
Good news: More memory might be on the way.
EDIT: More good news: My dad just bought 1 GIG of memory!

Last edited: Saturday, January 28, 2006 at 2:33:46 PM

This is what I think:
http://www.funnyjunk.com/p/0419-gif.html

Steps to a better computer
1: Trash the computer you have now.
2: got to Apple.com and get a Mac.
3:Just do it.

Last edited: Saturday, January 28, 2006 at 3:23:07 PM

^ Ummmm.... No. Why do I need to buy a mac when I already have an awsome PC with linux that can do the same thing?

Last edited: Saturday, January 28, 2006 at 3:32:40 PM

^ Was he talking to you? ;)

Yeah, you can get 512 megs of RAM at FutureShop (Is that in the U.S. Too?) for $60 Canadian (About $50 US)
Get RAM while it's cheap!

OR you can go on ebay and stock up for 8cents . Although, shipping from Singapore might be a bit costly... :)

Try pricewatch.com = dirt cheap
but seriously
The machine you have is ok but it would fair better with more ram
but consider this and tell your folks I just got a server for $219US
and a desktop for my boss for $323
Prebuilt and ready for an OS
I went to AscendTech.com which I found on Pricewatch
Very happy so far
and like I said in email I went from downloading Ubuntu to TT in under an hour

I'm good, thanks... 1024MB RAM for $100.

You from the US? If so, you can buy from newegg.com. I just bought a Geforce FX 5500 256 MB for $60.