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Topic: New Here, and I already have a stupid question

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Bidi

Group: Members
Posts: 43
Joined: Nov. 2004

Posted: Nov. 14 2004,07:23

First I'd like to introduce myself, my name is Stefan. I just started playing around with Knoppix based Linux, had some (very limited) experience with Red Hat. My dad then got a tip from a friend of his about the Knoppix LiveCD (and how it was way better then other Linuxes). I like it better. I have an HD install on one of my personal computers. I then started searching the net for Knoppix stuff and ended up here. So that's pretty much it.

Now for my stupid question.

I have this 9 year old Compaq laptop here at home that hasn't been used in aobut 3 years (suprisingly it still works). It's a 486/SX (33Mhz), 16Mb RAM, 252Mb HD. I was reading the FAQ and already have a pretty good idea on how to floppy-only install DSL. So my big issue here is what to do with CPQDOS, the stupid antique Compaq BIOS system. I'm pretty sure it's going to be a problem since I've deleted it before and the computer wouldn't even turn on.

I just want to do this on this laptop because like I've said before, it's 9 years old and Win3.11 isn't really something that does anything anymore in this world. I've read the minimum requirement FAQ and I saw new future for that piece of crap.

Thanks everyone in advance,
-Stefan

roadie

Group: Members
Posts: 59
Joined: Dec. 2003

Posted: Nov. 14 2004,07:47

There was a post a while ago concerning a 486SX, problem is no math-coprocessor.
Not sure if a solution was found, try a search of the forum.

roadie

Bidi

Group: Members
Posts: 43
Joined: Nov. 2004

Posted: Nov. 14 2004,16:46

I did a search before and go one hit. I think it was "skoas" (something along those lines) that recompiled the 2.4 kernel to work with a 386/486 with no coprocessor. He mentions it works with DSL 0.7.0. I'll try to use that with the 0.8.4, I'll also try remastering DSL and remove some of the stuff I know i'm not going to use, like spreadsheets, pdf, etc... This should make it even smaller, after all, with a 250Mb HD space is an issue. Running it compressed is also out of the question.

My biggest problem is the CPQDOS files, I really don't konw what do to with them and still make the computer work.

cbagger01

Group: Members
Posts: 4264
Joined: Oct. 2003

Posted: Nov. 14 2004,20:20

If I remember correctly, DSL 0.8.x uses a different kernel version than DSL 0.7.x

Try using the recompiled kernel with DSL version 0.7.3 for your best chance of success.

AwPhuch

Group: Members
Posts: 1404
Joined: April 2004

Posted: Nov. 15 2004,03:12

Quote (Bidi @ Nov. 14 2004,11:46)

My biggest problem is the CPQDOS files, I really don't konw what do to with them and still make the computer work.

http://www.faqs.org/faqs....50.html

It appears all those are is just hardware config files for DOS..you can safely wipe the drive using dban http://awphuch2000.dyndns.org:1079/dban/ and factory default the drive...however I dont think the 486sx with no mathcoprocessor is gonna fly...those are some very ooooollld spec man...you might be better off trying one of the floppy only distros like http://blueflops.sourceforge.net/ or http://mulinux.sunsite.dk/mulinux.html
Link to site is http://www.linuxlinks.com/Distributions/Floppy/

Good luck bud and Welcome to the Revolution!!!

Brian
AwPhuch

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./S99LinuxRevolution start

7 replies since Nov. 14 2004,07:23

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