Old Pc/ System

I just got an old PC, Sony Vaio. Funny thing is that it's still better than the one I used to have back in the day but seems pretty much useless now. It Has XP, it is a sony vaio pcg-8m2r, Has about 1gb ram and 40gb. I would like to use it for a couple of minimum things. I was considering switching it to linux to be able to get into routers which I cant do with windows. But I still havent figured that out yet. A concerning issue is that it has two users and it states it has windows registered. I think that means warranty and wouldn't want to lose it. I'd like that to be cleared before I switch. Seeing that it's xp I highly doubt that but still didn't want to touch anything till I was sure it's safe to change it and had some guidance. My main purpose would be to install linux use a couple of modified softwares and then probably switch back to windows or if it's recommended keep it. Depending of it's convenience. It is only 40gb so I suppose I'm highly limited. The main reason I would actually switch xp is because it has a special internet card I have to install to even read the internet and though it reads the wifi it doesnt connect to the wifi. Shooting a type of driver error which I think with a different system it would be gone, I've read and been told. Another option is downsizing the router but it would make the internet slower, not worth it. What I would like in the system is mostly one that doesnt consume much space and resources since it is an old pc and doesnt have the resources for modern versions. I would use it for basics like watching a movie since it does have a 15inch and looks pretty good. I would mostly use it for typing documents on word, browsing, and background work like downloading and perhaps minor software activities. Whatever decision is decided on the system. I would need guidance on how to install it and how to go about it.

You could try 'Puppy' Linux, I guess.

Puppy was designed, right from the outset more than 15 years ago, to live on, and run from, a flash-drive. This way, you could run a small, lightweight Linux without disrupting the XP install, if you wish to keep it.

Puppy is contained within 3 or 4 highly-compressed, "read-only" files. At boot, Puppy creates a 'virtual' RAM-disk and copies the contents of these read-only files into it, and runs entirely in RAM for the duration of the session. At shut-down, you have a choice; you can either create what's called a 'save-file', and keep any additions/configuration changes you may have made during the session. Or, you can choose to let the session evaporate into thin air.

At the next boot, Puppy will once again copy the read-only files into the RAM-disk. It's like having a brand-new system, every time you boot. IF you choose to create a save-file, Puppy will automatically 'update' the contents once every 30 minutes; she doesn't continuously read from/write back to the flash drive like most systems would. The idea of this is to prolong the life of the NAND flash 'cells' in the flash drive.

Just an idea, you understand.

Mike. 

okay but will I still use it for programs? I'd be looking to use to for router programs which I think takes a long time to process.