Very old friends laptop, shes convinced it needs binning, but i dont think so, I dunno the spec, I havent looked yet.

I think with a lightweight operating system, if its capable of running internet (with plugins) and gaim, shell be happy as can be.

Whats the lightest quickest smallest linux distro about?

estimate laptop spec: 400mhz 64ram, no gfx

TBH, I think Win98 or 2000 is probably your best bet on such hardware. Take the usual steps to cut it down of course.

With a stick of ram, it could run any modern Linux w/o a problem. Thing is the super lightweight distros make use of esoteric environments that have a bit of a learning curve. See if somebody on TF has some ram and you can go nuts. 128mb is plenty if you tweak your services, to run KDE or Gnome.

But since ya asked, Id probably just install Ubuntu from the "alternate" iso with Openbox environment. Dont forget "obconf" and "obmenu" as well.

Feather Linux runs on pentium 166s lol comes with dillo, is debian so can install gaim with a quick apt-get install gaim. and yeah... generally really lightweight.

Ive run KDE on a 200mhz chip. Its all about the ram.

goddman i had ubuntu running smooth with xcfe on 64 meg of ram on a 233mhz processor.

if there is a will there is a way.

shes clever and good with pcs so the linux environment wont be a problem.

I might just try ubuntu then, cos ive got the disc here.

Dont forget to disable unnecessary services like CUPS.