PAE
PAE
AMD introduced PAE support for Athlon processors, though it applies to both Athlon 64 and newer models.
These processors should support PAE, but ensure your motherboards (BIOS) do too. Remember PAE is relevant only when you have more than 3-4 GB of RAM—it enables OSes and apps to utilize over 4 GB. With just 1.5 GB, the OS can function with or without PAE. I recommend using Windows 2003 32-bit on this setup. You should be able to run older Firefox versions (or customized Firefox), Opera, and games smoothly under 2003, as they’ll appear as if running on Windows XP or via compatibility mode. If you need a copy of Windows 2003 for testing, let me know.
The instructor expressed a preference for Linux, but isn’t particular about the specific version. Should I choose Xubuntu, Mint Cinnamon, or another option? P.S. I still have my original Windows 2003 installation disc.
I recommend mx-linux or Antix for this older configuration—they’re also offered as 32-bit versions and are Debian-based. Another compact option I find appealing is Salix OS, which runs on Slackware. It should perform well with an Athlon processor.