Vintage laptop memory upgrade question

[fruitcake]

Laptop hardware question from a novice:

"100MHZ CL2" means what?

I am upgrading the 64MB RAM memory on an IBM [edit: it's a Thinkpad] 380Z laptop to something larger in order that it can more happily run Puppy Linux (which requires 128MB to properly run in memory). 

The label on the new memory stick states "100MHZ CL2". 
The stick looks the right physical size and has the requisite 144 pins. 

If the old one is something other than 100MHZ CL2, should the new one work?

[Thor]

According to the Crucial website

CL — CAS (column address strobe) latency, which is the number of clock cycles it takes before data starts to flow after a command is received. Lower CL is faster. Modules with different CL can be mixed on a system, but the system will only run at the highest (slowest) CL.

Lots more information on that site.

[Lonewolff]

If it is a Thinkpad 380Z you are going to have issues with your upgrading as it wont support more than 96Mb of RAM and only has one slot.

[fruitcake]

Yes, it is a Thinkpad.  The backstory: I'm using Linux because the HDD is FUBARd, shook itself to bits in a pannier.
I use the laptop to read pre-saved PDFs and to do word processing. Don't need a browser.

So, does anyone have a Linux distro that will run entirely in 64MB RAM? (This will probably be an old Linux)

[tonycollinet]

Try Damn Small Linux.

[Martin109]

Vector Linux LITE might be worth a try too.  Scroll down the page for info.

Main features: LITE Edition: Pentium 166 or better, 64MB RAM minimum, 1.8GB hard drive space for full system - more for your data.