Is this a big problem?

[kb]

im trying to install debian im from the u.s and went to install mirror, and followed this: /dists/stable/main/disks-XXXX/ which one do i have to d-load i386, or alpha? (im trying to boot it from a floppy) and from there where do i go?

http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/

[eco2geek]

Although you're supposed to be able to install Debian fairly easilly over the network, I haven't tried it -- I just downloaded and burned the first 3 ISOs from a local Debian mirror. You boot off the first CD to start the installation. You need the i386 version.

[kb]

all i do is just d-load the first 3 isos? and then what?

[Gnu Penguin]

What is the i486SX chip you are currently using?
Is it a i486SX-25?

You never said what the clock speed was of your processor.

The reason I am asking is that I have a i486DX2-50 sitting in front of me.
It has 168 pins
It seems as though it would be compatible with a i486SX-25.
It runs with a system bus speed of 25Mhz


If the chip I have is compatible with your motherboard, then it is yours.

Please let me know if an i486DX2-50 will work with your mobo, and I will send it to you at no charge.

Please note that the chip is also untested, and I do not know if it will work.

You get what you pay for, I guess.

[kb]

i wen to the site and downloaded the first three now what?

[kb]

Although you're supposed to be able to install Debian fairly easilly over the network, I haven't tried it -- I just downloaded and burned the first 3 ISOs from a local Debian mirror. You boot off the first CD to start the installation. You need the i386 version.

I have a question i d-loaded the first one and its about 500 megs. how are three of them going to fit in one cd unless i use a dvd.? im not sure what to do.

[eco2geek]

Um, no offense meant, but you do realize that each of those ISOs are meant to be burned to a separate 700M blank CD-R, don't you?

Actually, I don't understand why you're so intent on using your old 486SX in the first place. IMHO, dealing with a modern Linux distro on a '486 (even a DX4/100) in anything but text mode can certainly be done, but it would be an exercize in frustration. Way too slow. I have Debian Woody on a P266 and it's frustratingly slow running X Windows.

But a computer with a ~500MHz CPU will run Knoppix just fine, from personal experience.

I don't know what country you live in, but in the US, old computers are plentiful and dirt cheap.

If your case is in good condition, you don't even have to buy a whole "new" computer. You could buy a used AT-style motherboard and a Pentium-level CPU from eBay for cheap and replace the 486 motherboard.

If you're in a hurry to install Knoppix, why don't you simply repartition the hard drive on the computer you're using now (which I assume is faster than a 486)? Or buy a second hard drive? Knoppix will fit on a ~5GB partition, which is tiny by today's standards.