Is it possible to put linux on an old computer that when it turns on, it doesn't start up?

I have an old computer that when i try to start it up, the screen is just blue. It used to run windows 99. Would I be able to put a version of linux on it. If so, what steps would I have to take. I was thinking ubuntu but I am an open (source) guy. Desperate try for a joke.Is it possible to put linux on an old computer that when it turns on, it doesn't start up?
It sounds like win98 (not 99 :) is having some type of issue. I would try Xubuntu it is pretty good on low resource pc, I use it on my old dell latitude 500mhz w/ 256m it is usable.



Download the ISO from here http://www.xubuntu.org/get then burn the image to a cdrom then boot it on your pc it should install right over your old windows. Make sure you use an image burn option or utility like imgburn http://www.imgburn.com/ don't just burn the file to a disk it will not work :)



Go into your BIOS and set your CD-rom for first boot device if necessary if it does not seem to recognize your bootable disk.



See if you can install in graphics mode, if so then your pc may be ok and just be a windows corruption issue. Follow the steps here it's a piece of cake http://developer.novell.com/wiki/index.p鈥?/a> if your HDD is borked then you will most likely get an error on the install.





cheersIs it possible to put linux on an old computer that when it turns on, it doesn't start up?
The computer may be faulty so all the effort to load linux on it will be a waste of time.



If it has a CD/DVD drive on it, try booting with a bootable CD. Any will do, like an operating system CD.