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Groups > comp.os.linux.misc > #90485 > unrolled thread
| Started by | rbowman <bowman@montana.com> |
|---|---|
| First post | 2026-08-25 04:41 +0000 |
| Last post | 2026-08-28 08:59 +0100 |
| Articles | 8 on this page of 68 — 15 participants |
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Ancient History rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-08-25 04:41 +0000
Re: Ancient History c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-08-25 03:15 -0400
Re: Ancient History John Ames <commodorejohn@gmail.com> - 2026-08-25 08:19 -0700
Re: Ancient History The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-08-25 19:57 +0100
Re: Ancient History c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-08-26 04:25 -0400
Re: Ancient History The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-08-26 09:33 +0100
Re: Ancient History rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-08-26 18:20 +0000
Re: Ancient History The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-08-26 21:27 +0100
Re: Ancient History rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-08-27 01:13 +0000
Re: Ancient History c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-08-27 03:24 -0400
Re: Ancient History rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-08-27 20:03 +0000
Re: Ancient History c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-08-27 23:47 -0400
Re: Ancient History rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-08-28 06:54 +0000
Re: Ancient History John Ames <commodorejohn@gmail.com> - 2026-08-28 09:28 -0700
Re: Ancient History Nuno Silva <nunojsilva@invalid.invalid> - 2026-08-28 18:53 +0100
Re: Ancient History rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-08-28 20:58 +0000
Re: Ancient History John Ames <commodorejohn@gmail.com> - 2026-08-28 14:49 -0700
Re: Ancient History The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-08-28 12:11 +0100
Re: Ancient History "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-08-25 11:41 +0200
Re: Ancient History Nuno Silva <nunojsilva@invalid.invalid> - 2026-08-25 11:53 +0100
Re: Ancient History The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-08-25 12:54 +0100
Re: Ancient History rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-08-25 19:25 +0000
Re: Ancient History "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-08-25 14:23 +0200
Re: Ancient History c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-08-26 03:28 -0400
Re: Ancient History The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-08-26 09:12 +0100
Re: Ancient History rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-08-26 18:26 +0000
Re: Ancient History c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-08-27 03:56 -0400
Re: Ancient History The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-08-27 12:00 +0100
Re: Ancient History rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-08-27 20:25 +0000
Re: Ancient History Charlie Gibbs <cgibbs@kltpzyxm.invalid> - 2026-08-27 21:48 +0000
Re: Ancient History c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-08-28 00:26 -0400
Re: Ancient History rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-08-28 06:59 +0000
Re: Ancient History The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-08-28 12:05 +0100
Re: Ancient History rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-08-28 21:02 +0000
Re: Ancient History The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-08-28 12:03 +0100
Re: Ancient History c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-08-28 00:06 -0400
Re: Ancient History The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-08-28 12:08 +0100
Re: Ancient History The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-08-28 12:03 +0100
Re: Ancient History Chris Ahlstrom <OFeem1987@teleworm.us> - 2026-08-28 12:07 -0400
Re: Ancient History rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-08-28 21:00 +0000
Re: Ancient History rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-08-26 18:23 +0000
Re: Ancient History The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-08-26 21:29 +0100
Re: Ancient History The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-08-25 12:31 +0100
Re: Ancient History Chris Ahlstrom <OFeem1987@teleworm.us> - 2026-08-25 07:53 -0400
Re: Ancient History Charlie Gibbs <cgibbs@kltpzyxm.invalid> - 2026-08-25 18:26 +0000
Re: Ancient History rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-08-25 19:37 +0000
Re: Ancient History rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-08-25 19:16 +0000
Re: Ancient History The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-08-25 20:21 +0100
Re: Ancient History rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-08-26 04:40 +0000
Re: Ancient History The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-08-25 12:30 +0100
Re: Ancient History c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-08-26 02:49 -0400
Re: Ancient History "Mr. Chang Man-wai" <toylet.toylet@gmail.com> - 2026-08-25 20:07 +0800
Re: Ancient History Paul <nospam@needed.invalid> - 2026-08-25 11:20 -0400
Re: Ancient History Robert Riches <spamtrap42@jacob21819.net> - 2026-08-25 17:44 +0000
Re: Ancient History Lawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> - 2026-08-25 21:55 +0000
Re: Ancient History not@telling.you.invalid (Computer Nerd Kev) - 2026-08-27 08:59 +1000
Re: Ancient History rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-08-27 01:20 +0000
Re: Ancient History c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-08-27 03:38 -0400
Re: Ancient History vallor <vallor@vallor.earth> - 2026-08-27 08:08 +0000
Re: Ancient History c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-08-27 22:13 -0400
Re: Ancient History rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-08-28 04:24 +0000
Re: Ancient History c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-08-27 03:21 -0400
Re: Ancient History not@telling.you.invalid (Computer Nerd Kev) - 2026-08-28 08:58 +1000
Re: Ancient History c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-08-28 00:36 -0400
Re: Ancient History rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-08-28 04:42 +0000
Re: Ancient History c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-08-28 02:37 -0400
Re: Ancient History not@telling.you.invalid (Computer Nerd Kev) - 2026-08-29 07:40 +1000
Re: Ancient History Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> - 2026-08-28 08:59 +0100
Page 4 of 4 — ← Prev page 1 2 3 [4]
| From | rbowman <bowman@montana.com> |
|---|---|
| Date | 2026-08-28 04:24 +0000 |
| Message-ID | <nfcgseFprcuU32@mid.individual.net> |
| In reply to | #90709 |
On Thu, 27 Aug 2026 22:13:11 -0400, c186282 wrote: > Heh heh ... X11 and friends did NOT just work out of the box back > then. No plug-n-play. Lots of odd config files to tweak and re-tweak > and re-tweak often with very minimal documentation. One of the first things I do is switch the mouse buttons. A GUI is certainly nice compared to hunting down xorg.conf and trying to remember which pointer number was which. In the newer versions it's an InputDevice rather than Pointer.
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| From | c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> |
|---|---|
| Date | 2026-08-27 03:21 -0400 |
| Message-ID | <hwKdnfBu5K8ReBL3nZ2dnZfqn_idnZ2d@giganews.com> |
| In reply to | #90651 |
On 8/26/26 18:59, Computer Nerd Kev wrote: > rbowman <bowman@montana.com> wrote: >> In my OCD quest to rejuvenate old machines I finally dug out the tower >> buried under other junk out in the shed. Turns out it's a Compaq Presario >> 4550. It has a 233 MHz AMD K6 that was AMDs challenge to the Pentium II. >> It was pin compatible and could be used in a Socket 7 board. It has 48 MB >> of RAM (no, that's not a typo) and a 4 GB HDD. For your computing >> convenient, it has a 56K modem. There are 2 USB ports although I think it >> expects the mouse and keyboard to be plugged into the PS2 ports. > > Very modern compared to the 120MHz Pentium 1 I'm posting this from, > running old Linux. > >> Two distros that claim to run in 48 MB are Tiny Core and Slax. slax >> specifies text only unless you have more RAM. Tiny Core isn't very >> specific. > > For current Tiny Core I don't think their standard boot to RAM > method will fit in 48MB anymore, but if you do a manual "HDD > install" it will boot with 20MB RAM, and then their default Xvesa > TinyX server will probably work in 48MB. Linux IS just 'fatter' than DOS or CP/M ... no getting around it. For very old boards you really MAY be better off with DOS if you are seriously trying to squeeze things in. Linux is 'better' for MOST stuff ... but if your resources are VERY limited ..... Sorry, NO 'panacea' ... gotta pick the best system for what YOU have/need at the moment.
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| From | not@telling.you.invalid (Computer Nerd Kev) |
|---|---|
| Date | 2026-08-28 08:58 +1000 |
| Message-ID | <6a90c126@news.ausics.net> |
| In reply to | #90664 |
c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> wrote: > On 8/26/26 18:59, Computer Nerd Kev wrote: >> rbowman <bowman@montana.com> wrote: >>> In my OCD quest to rejuvenate old machines I finally dug out the tower >>> buried under other junk out in the shed. Turns out it's a Compaq Presario >>> 4550. It has a 233 MHz AMD K6 that was AMDs challenge to the Pentium II. >>> It was pin compatible and could be used in a Socket 7 board. It has 48 MB >>> of RAM (no, that's not a typo) and a 4 GB HDD. For your computing >>> convenient, it has a 56K modem. There are 2 USB ports although I think it >>> expects the mouse and keyboard to be plugged into the PS2 ports. >> >> Very modern compared to the 120MHz Pentium 1 I'm posting this from, >> running old Linux. >> >>> Two distros that claim to run in 48 MB are Tiny Core and Slax. slax >>> specifies text only unless you have more RAM. Tiny Core isn't very >>> specific. >> >> For current Tiny Core I don't think their standard boot to RAM >> method will fit in 48MB anymore, but if you do a manual "HDD >> install" it will boot with 20MB RAM, and then their default Xvesa >> TinyX server will probably work in 48MB. > > > Linux IS just 'fatter' than DOS or CP/M ... no > getting around it. For very old boards you > really MAY be better off with DOS if you are > seriously trying to squeeze things in. Well no, on this Pentium 1 I find old Linux most useful, but I do sometimes find cause to boot to MSDOS or Win98. Often for running software that works with old hardware devices. If you've got an 8086 then of course you'll be looking at DOS instead. But Linux is definitely an option for a Pentium II, even if that one might want a RAM upgrade for running current versions easily. > Linux is 'better' for MOST stuff ... but if > your resources are VERY limited ..... Modern Linux at least, but if you don't mind running very old versions, BasicLinux is good for installing on the bare minimum of hardware that ever ran Linux: http://distro.ibiblio.org/baslinux/ -- __ __ #_ < |\| |< _#
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| From | c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> |
|---|---|
| Date | 2026-08-28 00:36 -0400 |
| Message-ID | <wxednYU-UqrrjQz3nZ2dnZfqnPqdnZ2d@giganews.com> |
| In reply to | #90699 |
On 8/27/26 18:58, Computer Nerd Kev wrote: > c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> wrote: >> On 8/26/26 18:59, Computer Nerd Kev wrote: >>> rbowman <bowman@montana.com> wrote: >>>> In my OCD quest to rejuvenate old machines I finally dug out the tower >>>> buried under other junk out in the shed. Turns out it's a Compaq Presario >>>> 4550. It has a 233 MHz AMD K6 that was AMDs challenge to the Pentium II. >>>> It was pin compatible and could be used in a Socket 7 board. It has 48 MB >>>> of RAM (no, that's not a typo) and a 4 GB HDD. For your computing >>>> convenient, it has a 56K modem. There are 2 USB ports although I think it >>>> expects the mouse and keyboard to be plugged into the PS2 ports. >>> >>> Very modern compared to the 120MHz Pentium 1 I'm posting this from, >>> running old Linux. >>> >>>> Two distros that claim to run in 48 MB are Tiny Core and Slax. slax >>>> specifies text only unless you have more RAM. Tiny Core isn't very >>>> specific. >>> >>> For current Tiny Core I don't think their standard boot to RAM >>> method will fit in 48MB anymore, but if you do a manual "HDD >>> install" it will boot with 20MB RAM, and then their default Xvesa >>> TinyX server will probably work in 48MB. >> >> >> Linux IS just 'fatter' than DOS or CP/M ... no >> getting around it. For very old boards you >> really MAY be better off with DOS if you are >> seriously trying to squeeze things in. > > Well no, on this Pentium 1 I find old Linux most useful, but I do > sometimes find cause to boot to MSDOS or Win98. Often for running > software that works with old hardware devices. By Pentium we were all good. But 88/186/286 ... Have not seen anything being sold as 'computers' lately using those old chips ... but there ARE some 'industrial/control' boards, oft PC-104, which do and are STILL doing their things. DID come across some 'Z-80' kit boards on Amazon not too long ago. Old old chip, but still has its charms and uses in certain areas. No, you are not gonna run Linux on it. > If you've got an 8086 then of course you'll be looking at DOS > instead. But Linux is definitely an option for a Pentium II, even > if that one might want a RAM upgrade for running current versions > easily. > >> Linux is 'better' for MOST stuff ... but if >> your resources are VERY limited ..... > > Modern Linux at least, but if you don't mind running very old > versions, BasicLinux is good for installing on the bare minimum of > hardware that ever ran Linux: > > http://distro.ibiblio.org/baslinux/ That's probably the smallest/tightest Linux, but I'd have to research. Old, but if TINY is what you really need for yer Project-X. The MODEL is a bit weird however, runs UNDER a DOS system. Do look into Slitaz ... the very basic version is also pretty damned small - the equal of Puppy or DSL as terminal-only, but with a little more charm.
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| From | rbowman <bowman@montana.com> |
|---|---|
| Date | 2026-08-28 04:42 +0000 |
| Message-ID | <nfcht1FprcuU33@mid.individual.net> |
| In reply to | #90699 |
On 28 Aug 2026 08:58:46 +1000, Computer Nerd Kev wrote: > If you've got an 8086 then of course you'll be looking at DOS instead. > But Linux is definitely an option for a Pentium II, even if that one > might want a RAM upgrade for running current versions easily. Amazingly Amazon has 512 MB SyncRAM listed. I'm not sure the BIOS wouldn't have a meltdown. It's been too long and I don't remember the specifics but I had one box where I couldn't use what was then the readily available and cheap hard drives because they were too big. I hit the local shops looking for a vintage drive and their answer was 'Nah, we just throw those in the dumpster if we get one.'
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| From | c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> |
|---|---|
| Date | 2026-08-28 02:37 -0400 |
| Message-ID | <wxednbk-UqpIsQz3nZ2dnZfqnPqdnZ2d@giganews.com> |
| In reply to | #90725 |
On 8/28/26 00:42, rbowman wrote: > On 28 Aug 2026 08:58:46 +1000, Computer Nerd Kev wrote: > >> If you've got an 8086 then of course you'll be looking at DOS instead. >> But Linux is definitely an option for a Pentium II, even if that one >> might want a RAM upgrade for running current versions easily. > > Amazingly Amazon has 512 MB SyncRAM listed. I'm not sure the BIOS wouldn't > have a meltdown. It's been too long and I don't remember the specifics but > I had one box where I couldn't use what was then the readily available and > cheap hard drives because they were too big. I hit the local shops looking > for a vintage drive and their answer was 'Nah, we just throw those in the > dumpster if we get one.' Put down a deposit. Have them KEEP the drives and call you.
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| From | not@telling.you.invalid (Computer Nerd Kev) |
|---|---|
| Date | 2026-08-29 07:40 +1000 |
| Message-ID | <6a920055@news.ausics.net> |
| In reply to | #90725 |
rbowman <bowman@montana.com> wrote: > On 28 Aug 2026 08:58:46 +1000, Computer Nerd Kev wrote: > I had one box where I couldn't use what was then the readily available and > cheap hard drives because they were too big. I hit the local shops looking > for a vintage drive and their answer was 'Nah, we just throw those in the > dumpster if we get one.' Some drives had a jumper setting to limit their capacity to under the point where some BIOSs got confused. -- __ __ #_ < |\| |< _#
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| From | Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> |
|---|---|
| Date | 2026-08-28 08:59 +0100 |
| Message-ID | <nfctatFgb90U1@mid.individual.net> |
| In reply to | #90485 |
rbowman wrote: > I finally dug out the tower buried under other junk out in the shed. > Turns out it's a Compaq Presario 4550. It has a 233 MHz AMD K6 that > was AMDs challenge to the Pentium II. Over the years I have turfed-out numerous machines, there are a couple of servers wish I'd had the space to keep (DEC Alphaserver 2100a, HP 9000/800-F10) and one VAXserver 3300 that I have kept. The only "normal" PC I've kept the components from is an ABIT BP6 ...
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