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System requirements

jss
2004-10-26
2013-04-01
  • jss

    jss - 2004-10-26

    When you start using a more slimmed down kernel (2.6-tiny?), what will the system requirements be? I tried the current release on a ancient 386 SX with 3 MB ram, but it rebooted as it was finishing loading the kernel.

     
    • jss

      jss - 2004-10-26

      Update: Added more RAM, it now has 8 MB total. It still reboots though. Is Small Linux compiled for 386?

       
    • James Coxon

      James Coxon - 2004-10-27

      Small Linux is compiled for 386, however the use of the 2.4 kernel is probably the cause of the problem. What are the errors? (if you can see them). I am working on a new version of small linux with a 2.2 kernel which may solve the problem - however due to real life commitments its going to be a while, sorry.
      I personally have a 386 with 8mb but I would like to get it to boot on at least 4 mb...
      James

       
    • jss

      jss - 2004-10-29

      Looks like I said it wrong above - it reboots as it's finishing the kernel boot process. I can't see any error messages, it just sits there for 1-2 seconds.
      I tried out a number of other small floppy distributions, and the only one that didn't reboot (in the way described above) was Fd Linux, but that one can't be installed to the HD.
      Btw, I have one request for the next version: Could you make the build environment available? (It will be much easier compiling programs to run in Small Linux.)
      Anyway, I think I'll try out NetBSD on it in the meantime. :)

       
      • Ilkka Nieminen

        Ilkka Nieminen - 2005-04-01

        You probably need to use the `old disk-only driver on primary interface driver (CONFIG_BLK_DEV_HD_IDE) so kernel recompilation is needed. I also had reboot problems with old 386 laptop even when using quite old distros (e.g. RH3.0.3). That's why those floppy-only distros/no hd support worked I believe.

         
    • James Coxon

      James Coxon - 2004-11-02

      Hey,
      The build environment is actually the prebuilt uClibc developement systems available at http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/libs/uclibc/root_fs_i386.bz2
      I actually take the uClibc libs directly from here which eases the compliation of all the over programs. Basically if you compiled a program in this development system you would be able run it on small linux.
      In regards to the reasons why your computer rebuilts i'm not sure. As nearly all other distros do the same I guess its something to do with your hardware.
      Sorry for not having an answer
      James

       
    • Santos Gomez

      Santos Gomez - 2007-09-11

      Ihave an AcerNote 760i Laptop with 4MB of ram, i guess is everything fine until it finish install.. the system reboot and never start.

      This is the only one distro wich tries to install well.. all the other distros hangs because the memory. If you can solve this.. i know you're going to help a lot of people with this kind of laptops.

      Bye.

       

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