Re: [edlug] Amstrad ALT-386SX 4MB memory & Linux

[Roy Bamford <zenadsl6108@xxx.xxx.xxx>]

On 2003.01.28 13:08 stuart.pettie@xxx.xxx.xxx wrote:
> Hi All
>
> I have come into possession of an old Amstrad ALT-386SX protable
> computer.
>
> FDD is a 34-pin connector, power supplied up the ribbon cable, but can be
> replaced with moderm FDD for £100ish.
>
> HDD is 170MB, but might be able to change it for a 0.5Gb HDD, if I can
> find
> one.
>
> I know this machine can run Win3.1 happily.
>
> I would like to put Linux with X-windows on it.
>
> I am wonder if it is worth spending time & money or should I just leave
> it
> running Win3.1.
>
> Not got any *real* use/need for it to change to Linux, but would handy to
> have
> spare machine for digging deeper into the command line side of Linux.
>
> Anybody have any views ?
>
> Stuart
>
>
> ***********************************************
>  Stuart Pettie
>  Software Technician
>  BAE SYSTEMS Avionics LTD.
> ***********************************************
>
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------
> You can find the EdLUG mailing list FAQ list at:
> http://www.edlug.org.uk/list_faq.html

Stuart,

Installing linux on that machine will be very educational.
I have a minimal install of RedHat 6.1 on a 386SX partioned as follows:-

[roy@Minniebannister roy]$ df
Filesystem           1k-blocks      Used Available Use% Mounted on
/dev/hda9                36693     28340      6459  81% /
/dev/hda1                 4969      2766      1947  59% /boot
/dev/hda7                 9902       517      8874   6% /home
/dev/hda8               115950     94984     14979  86% /usr
/dev/hda6                16850      3453     12527  22% /var
Swap:  49168K

You might even fit into 170Mb.

I did a network install by turning off all packages except networking. It 
took over 8 hours.
My one has the benefit of a 387SX and 13Mb of memory too. You may need to 
build a kernel with FPU emulation in it.

Regards,

Roy Bamford






 
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