Not quite. The instruction set, be it RISC or CISC, is hardware dependent. Specifically, it is determined by the type of processor.

All CPUs used in PCs (Intel, AMD, Cyrix, etc.; doesn't matter) are CISC-based, and although the newer generations of these CPUs incorporate RISC functions, they are not true RISC chips but CISC-RISC hybrids. True RISC-based CPUs architectures include the PowerPC, SPARC, and Alpha processors.

In order for any operating system to run on either type of platform, it has to be written specifically for that platform, or ported to that platform. The Good Thing is that the Linux OS is available for all of the above platforms.

The newer versions of Linux distros are, in general, too bloated to use on Pentium systems of that era, especially if you choose one of the default installation options. You definitely can run the new versions on such machines, but in order to get the most performance out of boxen that old you'll need to do a custom install in order to avoid installing resource-hungry components that you don't really need.

Your situation is a not quite normal though, because you originally said that you wanted to install Linux on a quad-processor ALR system. That could pose a bit of a dillema, because quad-processor support in the newer versions of Linux is definitely better than in older versions, but regardless, you might have to jump through some kernel-compile hoops to get things to happen on such a beast.

Don't forget that power saving butiful processor created by digital, the strongarm

Avoiding installing Desktop Enviroments (KDE/GNOME) and if you wish to use X use a farly minimal window manager. Apache etc. should work well and a GUI isn't really needed. X does run fine on a 200mhz box ( Set a 133mhz up as an X-Terminal Last week ) .

200Mhz is fine for a linux box really as long as you don't want all the bells and wistles.

Actually, I wouldn't install Windows Server 2003 on anything!:eek:

Seriously, though, would I be better off with a different distro for the 200 MHz box? I'm not nessasarily "dedicated" to Mandrake, it's just what I downloaded. I'm not at all opposed to trying a different distro, I just haven't. I'm not really interested in bells and whistles, this machines' only purpose in life will be a webserver, and maybe a firewall for the rest of my machines. I have already seen lots of suggestions for a distro, but which one will play the best with the 200 MHz machine? Just a reminder, this is an ALR Revolution 6X6 server with quad 200 MHz, 512 kb Pentium Pro processors.

No halm in trying mandrake, Just try to make it a very minimalistic install.. If you don't succseed you can always try another distro.

I think im with Aykon that slackware may be your best bet. But the real trick really is making certain you don't install to much, and not having more services running then needs be... I personly bleave SSH would be a great service to have running since you could use your current windows box for interfacing with the machine by putty(google it, easy to find) it might be more convenient then having to change machines all the time, Plus you can use your current web browser etc to search for stuff on running and configuring linux insted of installing one (dunno how well moden webbrowsers work on that processing power)..

So go minimal, and if you don't succseed, try another distro..

Definatly don't install Gnome or KDE, desktop enviroments.. Fluxbox, Blackbox, twm (exceedingly old ), sawmill or window maker should all be great choices for window manages, ( I would suggest window maker... I have a soft spot, Its a clone on NextSTEP/OpenSTEP that mac os x is based on ).

Try installing firefox if you have enough room, It might run ok..

Yup, after reading what you have said and what Paul has said, Slackware with a minimal install would be quite well suited to your purposes. And as for what X to use, I find myself more prone to using FluxBox when needing an environment of this type. In a weird way it is sort of remniscient of OS/2 Warp...but that may be my own delusional view.

Try slack out and of course, don't be afraid to ask questions here, I love helping folks try out Slack!

Slackware sounds like a winner to me. I've found somewhere to download it, http://lmlinux.com/distros/slackware/, but which version do I need? Do you think I should go ahead and download the most recent, 10.1, or an older release, since this will be run on an older box?

Possibly another bit of information that maybe I should've included to begin with, is some of the equipment I plan to interface with the server. Mainly, a Meridian "CD-NET" CD-ROM tower. This unit currently has a 166 MHz Pentium based Mobo in it, although I plan to try to upgrade it to 200 MHz, and 14 SCSI CD-ROM drives. I would like to be able to use this unit as a "network storage device", with the CD-ROM drives "visible" to internet users. Think Slackware will handle this? What OS should I run on this box? It currently has Windows2000 Server on it.

Thanks for all of everyones' help so far!