Hello all, my first post since registering 11 months ago!
@Mike_Walsh you have identified my needs correctly:
Can I install it easily?
Will it boot without any fuss?
Will it auto-connect to my network & can I get on-line immediately?
And one more: Can I try it first from a Live DVD?
I run WinXP on two old computers, an IBM ThinkPad (circa 2003). and a Dell Desktop (circa 2006). Both work quite well considering their age but not so well on the internet. Some videos do not play and some web sites state that my browser needs to be updated. As you know better than I, Firefox ESR 52.9.0 (32-bit) is the end of the line for XP users.
I did have a Sony Vaio running Win7 which sadly died of tea tsunami (twice!) and I have not been able to find a replacement keyboard. So that was replaced by a ThinkPad T420 running Win10 which I do not get on with.
I hoped firstly to move the IBM ThinkPad to Linux OS which I would like to use for access to the internet and simple word processing.
Phase two would be to tidy up the HDD of the Dell desktop moving a substantial amount of old files to archive. That would allow me to keep WinXP which suits my CAD software etc as a dual boot running alongside a “new” Linux OS.
I have tried some versions of Puppy:
Puppy – 4.3.1 loaded to both IBM R40e laptop and to a Dell GX270. Web Browser didn’t work.
Precise Puppy – 5.7.1 loaded to IBM R40e laptop. Web Browser SeaMonkey 2.19. Not working .
Puppy Tahr 6.0.51 loaded to IBM R40e laptop. Web Browser, Pale Moon 25.8.1. Works in part but, for example, won’t run youtube videos and appears to need updating to cope with current websites?
Xenial Pup 7.5 – 32 bit. Does not load to IBM r40e. Hangs at Boot Kernel. Not tried with Dell.
Bionic Pup 8.0 – 32 Does not load to IBM r40e. Hangs at Boot Kernel. Runs OK on Dell GX270.
I don’t know enough to understand why so after a bit of reading tried antiX 19.3.Base as a Live DVD.
This worked OK on the Dell desktop. Had to take pot luck with options, for example chose “Safe Video Mode”, got to Firefox 78.3.0 ESR – 32 Bit. antiX 19.3.Base ran OK for half a day connected to web via ethernet. I was quite pleased with it but could not find the equivalent of “My computer” or “This PC”.
…….
Source: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/761956/why-wont-puppy-play-with-my-old-thinkpad/