Yes- you must have an operating system-your engine analogy is apt.
You should be able to get Win 98 or 95 from a computer-savvy friend, and it
would work well with this computer.
You could also use Linux Fedora Core 1(About $15.00 from Free PC Tech), but
there is a fairly steep learning curve. Again a computer-savvy friend may be
able to help here. The advantage is that there are thousands of free
programs including many games.
In the states, people are discarding even faster computers than this, and a
little searching may find a better, free computer, but this one would be
fine for anyone who wants to learn.
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***


I have been offered one "Pentium 1 range (90-180)" from a government office.
I was told it has no operating system.  I was cautioned that while I may
SOMEHOW be able to obtain (they didn't know how) an operating system for
this computer, I may have trouble getting most software to work with this
older system.  Some of the pre-school software I have states on the label
that it will work with "Windows 3.1 or higher"; another set states it will
work with "486MHz or better".

I know almost nothing about computers. This is probably a dumb question and
I can already hear some of you roll your eyes, but do I need an operating
system?  I assume it would be kind of like having a car without an engine,
but thought I'd ask anyway.  Is this computer a dinosaur that I'll regret
acquiring?  How can I get an operating system (preferably free, but legal)
for it?  I read quite some time ago about a free system called Linux, I
think.  Can I/should I use this OS with a Pentium 1.

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