Recommended OS for the T42?

[trylgsk]

Im looking to be able to play some old games, write some documents on it, and run some old software on it, maybe also old versions of FL studio? Internet is not really needed.

SPECS:
1.7ghz Intel Pentium CPU
60gb IDE HHD
1gb DDR ram
64mb ATI gpu (i forgot which exact model)

[dr_st]

Windows XP

Unless you want to play DOS / early Windows games natively - then you may consider Win98, but it will not be as smooth and as stable an experience.

[Gonzaleitor]

I have one with Win 98SE. I use it for older games, but not DOS. The chip is not Soundblaster compatible.
Maybe XP is a better option, depending on what are you looking for.

[dr_st]

I have one with Win 98SE. I use it for older games, but not DOS. The chip is not Soundblaster compatible.

Yes, good point. However, it is Soundblaster compatible inside a Windows command prompt, isn't it?

[Enig]

If I only had a T42, I would dual boot 98SE with either XP or 2000.
XP probably being the easiest in terms of compatibility with games and programs.

As for DOS games on 98SE with AC'97 based sound.
While not specifically using a T42, I remember it to be very hit and miss - way back in the day. Some games would work ok, while others would refuse to have any sound at all. Also, MIDI music in games that use it, is probably not going to work at all. ..ie. Doom without music
But again, this is just from memory.

Note: Windows 98SE will refuse to install or even boot if you pass 1GB memory (apparently some people have issues beyond 512MB). This would limit you in terms of memory upgrade, but I believe there is a workaround to limit how much memory the OS actually sees. Let me know if you need it.

If your T42 has 64MB VRAM - that would make it either have a Radeon 9000 or 9600. Those things have some grunt (for the day), especially the 9600
So, Windows games all the way from 1996 to 2004 or maybe even 2005 for the 9600 are likely playable. By 2006 you start seeing games outclassing it and requiring more VRAM.
Pretty nice retro windows gaming machine IMO.

[Gonzaleitor]

I have one with Win 98SE. I use it for older games, but not DOS. The chip is not Soundblaster compatible.

Yes, good point. However, it is Soundblaster compatible inside a Windows command prompt, isn't it?

I didn't try that, but it may be. As Enig stated above, some games are compatible, but bangers like Doom or DN 3d are not. For those games I use a 600e, with the Crystal chip. Maybe the T 42 can run somewhat decently a DOS Box, but I didn't try that so I'm not sure.

[dr_st]

That strengthens my feel that XP is preferred on this generation. On a high-end Pentium M, many DOS games will already play with good performance via DOSBox (the emulator), sound, MIDI and all.

[Enig]

That strengthens my feel that XP is preferred on this generation. On a high-end Pentium M, many DOS games will already play with good performance via DOSBox (the emulator), sound, MIDI and all.

As a single OS system then XP for sure - and the system has the power to run early XP games well.
Adding Win98 would add some more compatibility for early windows games. I think we need input from trylgsk on priorities here

Getting back to DOS games, then Even a slightly older system would be preferable for the SB compatible hardware. I think the T22 was one of the last to have this feature - unsure about drivers though.
(I much prefer the sound and ease of use of the much older ESS1688 chip in my 96/97 TPs).

Edit: Emulation is great if the software is what interests you. Personally I'm just as much invested in the hardware side of things - if not more so

[tinue]

The T40/41/42 supports a lot of retro operating systems: Windows 98, ME, NT 4, Windows 2000, Windows XP and even OS/2 Warp 4.52. All of these are fully supported with drivers for pretty much all system devices, except maybe a fingerprint reader.
I personally like this system exactly because of the range of operating systems that I can play with. The T42 is sort of the latest / fastest laptops to run Windows 98, for example.
Which one to choose? If you are interested in the operating system itself, then obviously choose the one that you want to play with. If you want to actually use the system, then I would try Debian Linux, as it still supports this system fully. 1GB RAM might be tight, though; I think I used Debian with a 1.5GB T42.
If I could only install one, I would use Windows 98 or maybe ME (the latter is much simpler to install). For me, Windows XP is not really "retro" enough...

[karotlopj]

Personally, I would run FreeBSD, although it would have to be an i386 version as the T4* series are 32 bit.

[Gonzaleitor]

Also You can dual boot 98se and XP. You would get the Best of both worlds.