What OS on a Cyrix 266?

[Thebranded]

Hey, after a recent upgrade, i now have a Cyrix 266 lieing around. I want to use it as a internet PC used mostly for BT and the like, but to also have other PCs networked to it so they can use the net. (all of them use XP)

Net is via Dialup. (dont use net at home too much)

Currently it runs 98 with no problems, is there a beter OS to use on it? that will also allow me to do the above?

Cyrix 266
32 Ram
1.2 gig hdd
420mb hdd
8mb Diamond Monster vid
ISA SB16
ISA FM radio

(plan to upgrade HDD later)

also totally new to OS's outside Windows and DOS. So just some thing thats east to install and maintain

[The_YongGrand]

I guess the best choice is stick to the Win98SE. I can't seem to think about any other operating system at that time. Upgrade the ram, and you should be okay. heh heh...

[Ind-PC_student]

Wrong you can use either

Vector linux -- very good for low specs and light gui
quote from [url]www.vectorlinux.com[url]

1. System Requirements

- VectorLinux 4.3 Download Edition (minimum requirements):
Pentium Classic 166 MHz
32 MB of RAM
At least 835 MB free of hard disk space plus 64 MB of swap space.

To have a more comfortable experience with VectorLinux 4.3 we would recommend a 233 MHz (MMX) processor with 64 MB of memory as a minimum.

DSL damn small linuc the iso is just 50MB but can be very usefull and it has some add-ons for extending usability
www.damnsmalllinux.org -50megs of linux power.

minimum requrements as quoted on the dsl wiki.

# 486dx or 100% compatible processor
# 16mb ram (24mb recommended)
# dual-speed CDROM (quad-speed or better recommended)
# 1.44mb floppy drive (for boot floppy, if needed)
# VGA monitor and video card
# a mouse (serial, ps/2, usb)

[moistmule]

it'd run linux fine, you could get Damn Small Linux, DSL, and install it to the HDD, its only about 50megs so you'd have loads of storage space linky: http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/

[glc]

Windows 98SE (not 98 original) and Internet Connection Sharing will do the job just fine without any hardware upgrades. All it needs is a modem and a NIC card, and you will need a switch to connect to it and the other computers. When you enable internet connection sharing, the XP boxes should see it just fine and be able to use its connection. The other option would be some kind of Linux, set up to share the connection, but that machine doesn't really have enough horsepower to run a decent GUI for local Internet use. You would have to set everything up using a command line and let it sit there acting as a poor man's router. If you just want to put it in use as a light use Internet box and a sharing box, stick with 98SE, if you want to experiment and learn, go the Linux route.

[moistmule]

i agree

if you want to get into Linux/look clever then try Smoothwall (2.0 is stable). Its linux based but really easy to use and requires no linux-knowledge But, this would not allow you to make the box a filesharing one, it'd just be a firewalled routery thingy

[ffreeloader]

if you want to get into Linux/look clever then try Smoothwall (2.0 is stable). Its linux based but really easy to use and requires no linux-knowledge But, this would not allow you to make the box a filesharing one, it'd just be a firewalled routery thingy

...And far more secure than using a 9x box for connection sharing. I would recommend the smoothwall install over 98 for internet sharing based upon the comparative security of the two. 9x is so full of security holes it isn't funny. It's a hacked system waiting to happen.

[Thebranded]

I woul like to learn Linux but 98se may end up being hte best bet.

will progrmas like VNC work on DSL or linux in general? this PC will not have a keyboard/mouse or monitor.

Also how would i go about remotely running the dialup? (apart from VNC into the machine) like can you create a desktop icon on the XP machines to cause the cyrix to dialup and connect to the net?

[moistmule]

personally, i think you should go for the smoothwall. it is NOT HARD TO CONFIGURE and COMES WITH A FULL USER GUIDE so you won't get stuck!! It will dial-on-demand so when a user wants to use the internet, it will dial. Also you can control dialup connections via the web interface. anyway, 98se will probibly need to be rebooted more than smoothwall. try it!

EDIT: and smoothwall is a firewall in itself, so you wont need any other hardware/software firewalls

[glc]

If you have DSL, I'd just buy a hardware router and use the old machine as a learning toy/tool - unless you do want to play with Smoothwall. 98SE as a sharing box is fine for dialup, but I don't think I'd trust it in the long run with broadband.

[Thebranded]

nope dont have DSL, (thats what work is for ) ok i'll give smoothwall a go and leave 98se as backup (ie if i cant work out linux) .....hmmm first time in quite a few years i wont have a PC running 98!

thx

[moistmule]

good luck, come back if you have trouble