What is the best modern-ish OS to install on older computers? (Parameters within)

TheFireTheft
Tue, 10 Dec 2024 17:09:48 +0000

By "modern-ish" I mean support for wifi, USB, etc. Maybe modern is the wrong word, but "not prehistoric" fits better? I primarily want to use these machines for some old school mudding. Bonus points for a browser that works with encryption to make web browsing somewhat usable.

Computer #1: "Ole trusty"

This one came with the OG Windows NT. I've toyed with FreeBSD installs from version 4 to 7 or so. Right now I believe it has Windows 95 or 98.

Compaq / Pentium

3.25" disk drive

Broken CD-ROM and I haven't found a plug-and-play replacement yet, even though I've tried 3 or 4. I can get it to work by forcing the tray open and closed, but I'm certain the tray is going to snap soon.

I've replaced the hard drive with a compact flash

Right now it has a PCI LAN adapter, but I have the option to replace this with a wifi adapter (Linksys I believe)

Computer #2: "MTV was still cool"

This one's running Windows 3.1 at the moment. It's going to be much tougher to get a network connection going. Is it possible to do some sort of modem-to-wifi bridge?

Compaq / 386

5 1/2" and 3.25" disk drives, no CD ROM

Compact flash HD

It has a modem, I'm not sure how fast. I'm also not sure how many expansion slots are left.

Comments URL: https://tildes.net/~comp/1kld/what_is_the_best_modern_ish_os_to_install_on_older_computers_parameters_within

Votes: 18

Comments: 19