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Linux on IBM Thinkpad 600X

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  Linux on IBM Thinkpad 600X thescullster <phil@nospam.com> - 2015-01-14 08:53 +0000
    Re: Linux on IBM Thinkpad 600X Dmitry Davletbaev <ddomgn@gmail.com> - 2015-01-14 01:53 -0800
      Re: Linux on IBM Thinkpad 600X thescullster <phil@nospam.com> - 2015-01-14 10:31 +0000
        Re: Linux on IBM Thinkpad 600X Harold Stevens <wookie@limbo.localdomain> - 2015-01-14 06:55 -0600
        Re: Linux on IBM Thinkpad 600X Michael Black <et472@ncf.ca> - 2015-01-14 22:22 -0500
          Re: Linux on IBM Thinkpad 600X Robert Riches <spamtrap42@jacob21819.net> - 2015-01-15 04:12 +0000
            Re: Linux on IBM Thinkpad 600X Bobbie Sellers <bliss-sf4ever@dslextreme.com> - 2015-01-14 20:49 -0800
            Re: Linux on IBM Thinkpad 600X Richard Kettlewell <rjk@greenend.org.uk> - 2015-01-15 09:18 +0000
              Re: Linux on IBM Thinkpad 600X notbob <notbob@nothome.com> - 2015-01-15 15:36 +0000
                Re: Linux on IBM Thinkpad 600X Richard Kettlewell <rjk@greenend.org.uk> - 2015-01-15 16:14 +0000
                  Re: Linux on IBM Thinkpad 600X Bobbie Sellers <bliss-sf4ever@dslextreme.com> - 2015-01-15 09:08 -0800
                  Re: Linux on IBM Thinkpad 600X The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2015-01-15 17:09 +0000
                    Re: Linux on IBM Thinkpad 600X "John F" <j@j.ii> - 2015-01-19 13:22 -0800
      Re: Linux on IBM Thinkpad 600X The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2015-01-14 10:50 +0000
        Re: Linux on IBM Thinkpad 600X William Unruh <unruh@invalid.ca> - 2015-01-14 17:23 +0000
          Re: Linux on IBM Thinkpad 600X The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2015-01-14 18:29 +0000
    Re: Linux on IBM Thinkpad 600X Rich <rich@example.invalid> - 2015-01-14 15:38 +0000
    Re: Linux on IBM Thinkpad 600X notbob <notbob@nothome.com> - 2015-01-14 15:40 +0000
      Re: Linux on IBM Thinkpad 600X "Anonymous Remailer (austria)" <mixmaster@remailer.privacy.at> - 2015-01-14 19:01 +0100
    Re: Linux on IBM Thinkpad 600X Stef <not@this.address.com> - 2015-01-14 17:47 +0000
      Re: Linux on IBM Thinkpad 600X The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2015-01-14 18:28 +0000
      Re: Linux on IBM Thinkpad 600X Rich <rich@example.invalid> - 2015-01-15 02:38 +0000
    Re: Linux on IBM Thinkpad 600X Marc Haber <mh+usenetspam1118@zugschl.us> - 2015-01-14 19:30 +0100
      Re: Linux on IBM Thinkpad 600X Charlie Gibbs <cgibbs@kltpzyxm.invalid> - 2015-01-15 04:21 +0000
        Re: Linux on IBM Thinkpad 600X Marc Haber <mh+usenetspam1118@zugschl.us> - 2015-01-15 09:25 +0100
    Re: Linux on IBM Thinkpad 600X thescullster <phil@nospam.com> - 2015-01-20 13:47 +0000
      Re: Linux on IBM Thinkpad 600X Robert Heller <heller@deepsoft.com> - 2015-01-20 09:15 -0600
      Re: Linux on IBM Thinkpad 600X Bobbie Sellers <bliss-sf4ever@dslextreme.com> - 2015-01-20 07:50 -0800
      Re: Linux on IBM Thinkpad 600X sctvguy1 <sctvguy1@invalid.net> - 2015-01-20 19:37 +0000
      Re: Linux on IBM Thinkpad 600X Charlie Gibbs <cgibbs@kltpzyxm.invalid> - 2015-01-20 19:38 +0000
        Re: Linux on IBM Thinkpad 600X The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2015-01-21 10:11 +0000
          Re: Linux on IBM Thinkpad 600X Charlie Gibbs <cgibbs@kltpzyxm.invalid> - 2015-01-21 19:05 +0000
            Re: Linux on IBM Thinkpad 600X The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2015-01-21 19:44 +0000
          Re: Linux on IBM Thinkpad 600X "David W. Hodgins" <dwhodgins@nomail.afraid.org> - 2015-01-21 13:56 -0500
            Re: Linux on IBM Thinkpad 600X The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2015-01-21 19:44 +0000
              Re: Linux on IBM Thinkpad 600X "David W. Hodgins" <dwhodgins@nomail.afraid.org> - 2015-01-21 16:16 -0500
    Re: Linux on IBM Thinkpad 600X thescullster <phil@nospam.com> - 2015-01-21 16:53 +0000
      Re: Linux on IBM Thinkpad 600X Robert Heller <heller@deepsoft.com> - 2015-01-21 11:33 -0600
      Re: Linux on IBM Thinkpad 600X Bobbie Sellers <bliss-sf4ever@dslextreme.com> - 2015-01-21 11:55 -0800

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#13418 — Linux on IBM Thinkpad 600X

Hi all

I have been trying to load some version of Linux onto an IBM Thinkpad 600X.
Pentium III 500MHz.
196Mb RAM.

Using Live CDs, so far I tried Ubuntu 12.04 which didn't get far.
Then Ubuntu 8.1 which got as far as language selection and hung.

Last I have been trying Slacko Puppy 5.7.

It boots off the CD
The Slacko Puppy splash screen appears, then
Loading VMLinuz.....
Loading initrd.gz..... the word ready appears for a split second

Then it loops back to restart.

Have looked at the F2 Help and tried a few of the parameters in desperation.

The system has been DBAN'd so it's start from scratch time.

Anyone got a clue on how to load a version of Linux onto this machine?

Thanks

Phil

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#13419

On Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at 1:53:54 PM UTC+5, thescullster wrote:
> Hi all
> 
> I have been trying to load some version of Linux onto an IBM Thinkpad 600X.
> Pentium III 500MHz.
> 196Mb RAM.
> 
> Using Live CDs, so far I tried Ubuntu 12.04 which didn't get far.
> Then Ubuntu 8.1 which got as far as language selection and hung.
> 
> Last I have been trying Slacko Puppy 5.7.
> 
> It boots off the CD
> The Slacko Puppy splash screen appears, then
> Loading VMLinuz.....
> Loading initrd.gz..... the word ready appears for a split second
> 
> Then it loops back to restart.
> 
> Have looked at the F2 Help and tried a few of the parameters in desperation.
> 
> The system has been DBAN'd so it's start from scratch time.
> 
> Anyone got a clue on how to load a version of Linux onto this machine?
> 
> Thanks
> 
> Phil

Hi thescullster!

Default Ubuntu distros have too high minimum requirements for your IBM Thinkpad 600X in respect to RAM. But there is a web page that describes how to install Ubuntu on low memory systems. It may be a bit cumbersome, but give it a try if you have enough time: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation/LowMemorySystems

--
Dmitry Davletbaev
Software Developer
dmitry.davletbaev@maginfo.com
http://www.maginfo.com/

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#13420

On 14/01/2015 09:53, Dmitry Davletbaev wrote:
> On Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at 1:53:54 PM UTC+5, thescullster wrote:
>> Hi all
>>
>> I have been trying to load some version of Linux onto an IBM Thinkpad 600X.
>> Pentium III 500MHz.
>> 196Mb RAM.
>>
>> Using Live CDs, so far I tried Ubuntu 12.04 which didn't get far.
>> Then Ubuntu 8.1 which got as far as language selection and hung.
>>
>> Last I have been trying Slacko Puppy 5.7.
>>
>> It boots off the CD
>> The Slacko Puppy splash screen appears, then
>> Loading VMLinuz.....
>> Loading initrd.gz..... the word ready appears for a split second
>>
>> Then it loops back to restart.
>>
>> Have looked at the F2 Help and tried a few of the parameters in desperation.
>>
>> The system has been DBAN'd so it's start from scratch time.
>>
>> Anyone got a clue on how to load a version of Linux onto this machine?
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> Phil
>
> Hi thescullster!
>
> Default Ubuntu distros have too high minimum requirements for your IBM Thinkpad 600X in respect to RAM. But there is a web page that describes how to install Ubuntu on low memory systems. It may be a bit cumbersome, but give it a try if you have enough time: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation/LowMemorySystems
>
> --
> Dmitry Davletbaev
> Software Developer
> dmitry.davletbaev@maginfo.com
> http://www.maginfo.com/
>
Thanks Dmitry

This machine ran Windows 98 well, so I was expecting that a light linux 
distro would load no problem.
Will check out low mem link.

Phil

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#13422

In <m95ghr$nsu$1@dont-email.me> thescullster:

[Snip...]

> This machine ran Windows 98 well

That was then. This is now. Who in their right mind runs it now? :)

IMO, a "desktop" Linux isn't for this, but you might try Tiny Core:

http://distro.ibiblio.org/tinycorelinux/

available at

https://www.osdisc.com/products/tinycore

(etc.)

-- 
Regards, Weird (Harold Stevens) * IMPORTANT EMAIL INFO FOLLOWS *
Pardon any bogus email addresses (wookie) in place for spambots.
Really, it's (wyrd) at airmail, dotted with net. DO NOT SPAM IT.
I toss GoogleGroup (http://twovoyagers.com/improve-usenet.org/).

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#13434

On Wed, 14 Jan 2015, thescullster wrote:

> On 14/01/2015 09:53, Dmitry Davletbaev wrote:
>> On Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at 1:53:54 PM UTC+5, thescullster wrote:
>>> Hi all
>>> 
>>> I have been trying to load some version of Linux onto an IBM Thinkpad 
>>> 600X.
>>> Pentium III 500MHz.
>>> 196Mb RAM.
>>> 
>>> Using Live CDs, so far I tried Ubuntu 12.04 which didn't get far.
>>> Then Ubuntu 8.1 which got as far as language selection and hung.
>>> 
>>> Last I have been trying Slacko Puppy 5.7.
>>> 
>>> It boots off the CD
>>> The Slacko Puppy splash screen appears, then
>>> Loading VMLinuz.....
>>> Loading initrd.gz..... the word ready appears for a split second
>>> 
>>> Then it loops back to restart.
>>> 
>>> Have looked at the F2 Help and tried a few of the parameters in 
>>> desperation.
>>> 
>>> The system has been DBAN'd so it's start from scratch time.
>>> 
>>> Anyone got a clue on how to load a version of Linux onto this machine?
>>> 
>>> Thanks
>>> 
>>> Phil
>> 
>> Hi thescullster!
>> 
>> Default Ubuntu distros have too high minimum requirements for your IBM 
>> Thinkpad 600X in respect to RAM. But there is a web page that describes how 
>> to install Ubuntu on low memory systems. It may be a bit cumbersome, but 
>> give it a try if you have enough time: 
>> https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation/LowMemorySystems
>> 
>> --
>> Dmitry Davletbaev
>> Software Developer
>> dmitry.davletbaev@maginfo.com
>> http://www.maginfo.com/
>> 
> Thanks Dmitry
>
> This machine ran Windows 98 well, so I was expecting that a light linux 
> distro would load no problem.
> Will check out low mem link.
>
It's more complicated than that.

A later Linux release may be compiled for a later CPU, so it can't run on 
something earlier.

More recent kernels have gotten quite large (in part to deal with lots of 
different hardware and that may impact on some older computers, if they 
have too little RAM.

You don't seem to be having problems starting to boot, but I remember not 
being able to directly boot my favorite distribution after some point.  I 
had to use some intermediate step.  But you seem to be able to get going 
here.

Even in "the old days", some distributions used a bloated installer.  So 
they'd require a certain amount of RAM to install, though you didn't need 
that much RAM to run Linux.  Or at the back of the book, there'd be an 
addendum telling you how to boot with the text installer, that didn't 
require as much RAM.

There are some distributions "intended for older hardware" but that's 
always vague.  What they generally do is take an existing distribution and 
cut it down", so they may only include one browser and all.  But the 
browser is a graphic browser, while a text only browser would better use 
the smaller resources of an old machine.  I'm not sure what such 
truncated distributions do with the kernel, if it's too recent again it 
may not run on an older machine.

Slackware tended to compile for "the lowest common denominator" well after 
other distributions dropped support of older machines.  But I think that 
changed at some recent point, though I can't remember.

One thing about Slackware is that it's still a text only installer, so you 
can install without needing much RAM.

   Michael

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#13435

On 2015-01-15, Michael Black <et472@ncf.ca> wrote:
> On Wed, 14 Jan 2015, thescullster wrote:
>
>> On 14/01/2015 09:53, Dmitry Davletbaev wrote:
>>> On Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at 1:53:54 PM UTC+5, thescullster wrote:
>>>> Hi all
>>>> 
>>>> I have been trying to load some version of Linux onto an IBM Thinkpad 
>>>> 600X.
>>>> Pentium III 500MHz.
>>>> 196Mb RAM.
>>>> 
>>>> Using Live CDs, so far I tried Ubuntu 12.04 which didn't get far.
>>>> Then Ubuntu 8.1 which got as far as language selection and hung.
>>>> 
>>>> Last I have been trying Slacko Puppy 5.7.
>>>> 
>>>> It boots off the CD
>>>> The Slacko Puppy splash screen appears, then
>>>> Loading VMLinuz.....
>>>> Loading initrd.gz..... the word ready appears for a split second
>>>> 
>>>> Then it loops back to restart.
>>>> 
>>>> Have looked at the F2 Help and tried a few of the parameters in 
>>>> desperation.
>>>> 
>>>> The system has been DBAN'd so it's start from scratch time.
>>>> 
>>>> Anyone got a clue on how to load a version of Linux onto this machine?
>>>> 
>>>> Thanks
>>>> 
>>>> Phil
>>> 
>>> Hi thescullster!
>>> 
>>> Default Ubuntu distros have too high minimum requirements for your IBM 
>>> Thinkpad 600X in respect to RAM. But there is a web page that describes how 
>>> to install Ubuntu on low memory systems. It may be a bit cumbersome, but 
>>> give it a try if you have enough time: 
>>> https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation/LowMemorySystems
>>> 
>>> --
>>> Dmitry Davletbaev
>>> Software Developer
>>> dmitry.davletbaev@maginfo.com
>>> http://www.maginfo.com/
>>> 
>> Thanks Dmitry
>>
>> This machine ran Windows 98 well, so I was expecting that a light linux 
>> distro would load no problem.
>> Will check out low mem link.
>>
> It's more complicated than that.
>
> A later Linux release may be compiled for a later CPU, so it can't run on 
> something earlier.

The Pentium III processor is an i686, so it should be able to run
any 32-bit distribution unless the compilation was hard enabled
with specific newer instructions that are lacking in the
processor in question.  If you can find a distribution that lists
its packages as i386 or i586 rather than i686, that should be
even safer.

HTH

-- 
Robert Riches
spamtrap42@jacob21819.net
(Yes, that is one of my email addresses.)

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#13437

On 01/14/2015 08:12 PM, Robert Riches wrote:
> On 2015-01-15, Michael Black <et472@ncf.ca> wrote:
>> On Wed, 14 Jan 2015, thescullster wrote:
>>
>>> On 14/01/2015 09:53, Dmitry Davletbaev wrote:
>>>> On Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at 1:53:54 PM UTC+5, thescullster wrote:
>>>>> Hi all
>>>>>
>>>>> I have been trying to load some version of Linux onto an IBM Thinkpad
>>>>> 600X.
>>>>> Pentium III 500MHz.
>>>>> 196Mb RAM.
>>>>>
>>>>> Using Live CDs, so far I tried Ubuntu 12.04 which didn't get far.
>>>>> Then Ubuntu 8.1 which got as far as language selection and hung.
>>>>>
>>>>> Last I have been trying Slacko Puppy 5.7.
>>>>>
>>>>> It boots off the CD
>>>>> The Slacko Puppy splash screen appears, then
>>>>> Loading VMLinuz.....
>>>>> Loading initrd.gz..... the word ready appears for a split second
>>>>>
>>>>> Then it loops back to restart.
>>>>>
>>>>> Have looked at the F2 Help and tried a few of the parameters in
>>>>> desperation.
>>>>>
>>>>> The system has been DBAN'd so it's start from scratch time.
>>>>>
>>>>> Anyone got a clue on how to load a version of Linux onto this machine?
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>
>>>>> Phil
>>>>
>>>> Hi thescullster!
>>>>
>>>> Default Ubuntu distros have too high minimum requirements for your IBM
>>>> Thinkpad 600X in respect to RAM. But there is a web page that describes how
>>>> to install Ubuntu on low memory systems. It may be a bit cumbersome, but
>>>> give it a try if you have enough time:
>>>> https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation/LowMemorySystems
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Dmitry Davletbaev
>>>> Software Developer
>>>> dmitry.davletbaev@maginfo.com
>>>> http://www.maginfo.com/
>>>>
>>> Thanks Dmitry
>>>
>>> This machine ran Windows 98 well, so I was expecting that a light linux
>>> distro would load no problem.
>>> Will check out low mem link.
>>>
>> It's more complicated than that.
>>
>> A later Linux release may be compiled for a later CPU, so it can't run on
>> something earlier.
>
> The Pentium III processor is an i686, so it should be able to run
> any 32-bit distribution unless the compilation was hard enabled
> with specific newer instructions that are lacking in the
> processor in question.  If you can find a distribution that lists
> its packages as i386 or i586 rather than i686, that should be
> even safer.
>
> HTH

	Oh gotta finally get my 2 cents worth in.
	I ran Mandriva, 2009.1 on a Dell Inspiron 4000 with 256 Megabytes of 
ram  and 8 Megabytes of Video ram with KDE interface.
I reduced the number of Virtual Desktops to one.  later I found
the cash and got a 256 MeB SODIMM to replace one of my 128 MeB
modules and it ran a lot better.  This was with a 40 GiB drive
and dual-booting with XP.  The XP with its singular desktop
gave me the idea to reduce the number of the Virtual Desktops
as the graphic memory was so low.  This had a Pentium 3 at 700 MHz.

	What he wants to do is not totally impossibly but may
be tricky.  Windows 98 was a PIA.

	If the OP wants to get more ram just type the brand and
model into your browser with ram memory and hit return.  You
should be able to find some. That is how I got more memory in
mine.

	bliss

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#13442

Robert Riches <spamtrap42@jacob21819.net> writes:
> The Pentium III processor is an i686, so it should be able to run
> any 32-bit distribution unless the compilation was hard enabled
> with specific newer instructions that are lacking in the
> processor in question.  If you can find a distribution that lists
> its packages as i386 or i586 rather than i686, that should be
> even safer.

AFAIK the Linux kernel no longer supports i386, making the former of
those options pointless as a userland target.

-- 
http://www.greenend.org.uk/rjk/

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#13445

On 2015-01-15, Richard Kettlewell <rjk@greenend.org.uk> wrote:

> AFAIK the Linux kernel no longer supports i386, making the former of
> those options pointless as a userland target.
 
As I understand it, no i386 support in kernals 3.8 or later.  I don't
see any current distros running any kernal over 3.1.

<http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/15/linux-to-drop-i386-support-in-the-3-8-kernel/>

nb

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#13448

notbob <notbob@nothome.com> writes:
> Richard Kettlewell <rjk@greenend.org.uk> wrote:
>> AFAIK the Linux kernel no longer supports i386, making the former of
>> those options pointless as a userland target.
>  
> As I understand it, no i386 support in kernals 3.8 or later.  I don't
> see any current distros running any kernal over 3.1.
>
> <http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/15/linux-to-drop-i386-support-in-the-3-8-kernel/>

Ubuntu 14.04 would appear to have 3.13 and 14.10 seems to have 3.16.
Even Debian stable (which defaults to 3.2) has 3.16 as a (bpo) option.

Which pre-3.8 kernels actually work on i386 is another question again, I
bet it’s not something that’s had much testing over the last decade.

-- 
http://www.greenend.org.uk/rjk/

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#13449

On 01/15/2015 08:14 AM, Richard Kettlewell wrote:
> notbob <notbob@nothome.com> writes:
>> Richard Kettlewell <rjk@greenend.org.uk> wrote:
>>> AFAIK the Linux kernel no longer supports i386, making the former of
>>> those options pointless as a userland target.
>>
>> As I understand it, no i386 support in kernals 3.8 or later.  I don't
>> see any current distros running any kernal over 3.1.
>>
>> <http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/15/linux-to-drop-i386-support-in-the-3-8-kernel/>
>
> Ubuntu 14.04 would appear to have 3.13 and 14.10 seems to have 3.16.
> Even Debian stable (which defaults to 3.2) has 3.16 as a (bpo) option.
>
> Which pre-3.8 kernels actually work on i386 is another question again, I
> bet it’s not something that’s had much testing over the last decade.
>

	tails-i386-1.2.3.iso (908MB, torrent). from Distrowatch.
	<http://distrowatch.com/>

	And you can search there for other distributions that support
the machine cpu you have.  Pretty sure PCLOS has a version that might work.

	bliss

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#13450

On 15/01/15 16:14, Richard Kettlewell wrote:
> notbob <notbob@nothome.com> writes:
>> Richard Kettlewell <rjk@greenend.org.uk> wrote:
>>> AFAIK the Linux kernel no longer supports i386, making the former of
>>> those options pointless as a userland target.
>>
>> As I understand it, no i386 support in kernals 3.8 or later.  I don't
>> see any current distros running any kernal over 3.1.
>>
>> <http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/15/linux-to-drop-i386-support-in-the-3-8-kernel/>
>
> Ubuntu 14.04 would appear to have 3.13 and 14.10 seems to have 3.16.
> Even Debian stable (which defaults to 3.2) has 3.16 as a (bpo) option.
>
> Which pre-3.8 kernels actually work on i386 is another question again, I
> bet it’s not something that’s had much testing over the last decade.
>
I'm running 3.16 here on mint. Possibly a slightly 'not the standard, 
but available' option.


-- 
Everything you read in newspapers is absolutely true, except for the 
rare story of which you happen to have first-hand knowledge. – Erwin Knoll

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#13462

"The Natural Philosopher" <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote in message 
news:m98s7i$nm2$4@news.albasani.net...
> On 15/01/15 16:14, Richard Kettlewell wrote:
>> notbob <notbob@nothome.com> writes:
>>> Richard Kettlewell <rjk@greenend.org.uk> wrote:
>>>> AFAIK the Linux kernel no longer supports i386, making the former of
>>>> those options pointless as a userland target.
>>>
>>> As I understand it, no i386 support in kernals 3.8 or later.  I don't
>>> see any current distros running any kernal over 3.1.
>>>
>>> <http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/15/linux-to-drop-i386-support-in-the-3-8-kernel/>
>>
>> Ubuntu 14.04 would appear to have 3.13 and 14.10 seems to have 3.16.
>> Even Debian stable (which defaults to 3.2) has 3.16 as a (bpo) option.
>>
>> Which pre-3.8 kernels actually work on i386 is another question again, I
>> bet it's not something that's had much testing over the last decade.
>>
> I'm running 3.16 here on mint. Possibly a slightly 'not the standard, but 
> available' option.
>
>
> -- 
> Everything you read in newspapers is absolutely true, except for the rare 
> story of which you happen to have first-hand knowledge. - Erwin Knoll

I tried to install 14.04 Ubu on an old Dell laptop, but it requires PAE 
which the old bugger doesn't have.  I have 11.04 running on it like a 
charm - also tried the pae switch in the grub loader options, but that 
messed up various things (I remember wireless being one of them, the other 
odd thing as well but don't remember what now) 

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#13421

On 14/01/15 09:53, Dmitry Davletbaev wrote:
> On Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at 1:53:54 PM UTC+5, thescullster wrote:
>> Hi all
>>
>> I have been trying to load some version of Linux onto an IBM Thinkpad 600X.
>> Pentium III 500MHz.
>> 196Mb RAM.
>>
>> Using Live CDs, so far I tried Ubuntu 12.04 which didn't get far.
>> Then Ubuntu 8.1 which got as far as language selection and hung.
>>
>> Last I have been trying Slacko Puppy 5.7.
>>
>> It boots off the CD
>> The Slacko Puppy splash screen appears, then
>> Loading VMLinuz.....
>> Loading initrd.gz..... the word ready appears for a split second
>>
>> Then it loops back to restart.
>>
>> Have looked at the F2 Help and tried a few of the parameters in desperation.
>>
>> The system has been DBAN'd so it's start from scratch time.
>>
>> Anyone got a clue on how to load a version of Linux onto this machine?
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> Phil
>
> Hi thescullster!
>
> Default Ubuntu distros have too high minimum requirements for your IBM Thinkpad 600X in respect to RAM. But there is a web page that describes how to install Ubuntu on low memory systems. It may be a bit cumbersome, but give it a try if you have enough time: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation/LowMemorySystems
>

Indeed. 64MB or ram is simply painfully too little. but you can install 
up to 512MB of extra SODIMM memory.


I would be tempted to do that with 'pre owned' RAM of some sort.
I would say 128MB is minimum and really to do anything these days 256MB 
is needful.




> --
> Dmitry Davletbaev
> Software Developer
> dmitry.davletbaev@maginfo.com
> http://www.maginfo.com/
>


-- 
Everything you read in newspapers is absolutely true, except for the 
rare story of which you happen to have first-hand knowledge. – Erwin Knoll

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#13427

On 2015-01-14, The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:
> On 14/01/15 09:53, Dmitry Davletbaev wrote:
>> On Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at 1:53:54 PM UTC+5, thescullster wrote:
>>> Hi all
>>>
>>> I have been trying to load some version of Linux onto an IBM Thinkpad 600X.
>>> Pentium III 500MHz.
>>> 196Mb RAM.
...
> Indeed. 64MB or ram is simply painfully too little. but you can install 
> up to 512MB of extra SODIMM memory.

I think you misread.

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#13431

On 14/01/15 17:23, William Unruh wrote:
> On 2015-01-14, The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:
>> On 14/01/15 09:53, Dmitry Davletbaev wrote:
>>> On Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at 1:53:54 PM UTC+5, thescullster wrote:
>>>> Hi all
>>>>
>>>> I have been trying to load some version of Linux onto an IBM Thinkpad 600X.
>>>> Pentium III 500MHz.
>>>> 196Mb RAM.
> ...
>> Indeed. 64MB or ram is simply painfully too little. but you can install
>> up to 512MB of extra SODIMM memory.
>
> I think you misread.
>
more like didn't read. I looked up the base machine spec.


Still> 256 is probably whats needed

-- 
Everything you read in newspapers is absolutely true, except for the 
rare story of which you happen to have first-hand knowledge. – Erwin Knoll

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#13423

thescullster <phil@nospam.com> wrote:
> Hi all

> I have been trying to load some version of Linux onto an IBM Thinkpad
> 600X. Pentium III 500MHz. 196Mb RAM.

> Using Live CDs, so far I tried Ubuntu 12.04 which didn't get far.
> Then Ubuntu 8.1 which got as far as language selection and hung.

> ...

> Anyone got a clue on how to load a version of Linux onto this
> machine?

Try Slackware.  It is very light on resource requirements (provided you
omit starting up KDE) and so it likely will install and run just fine.

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#13424

On 2015-01-14, thescullster <phil@nospam.com> wrote:

> I have been trying to load some version of Linux onto an IBM Thinkpad 600X.
> Pentium III 500MHz.
> 196Mb RAM.

Mucho hassle!

I'd go back and take a look at Slackware 9.0, which is definitely for
x386:

ftp://slackware.cs.utah.edu/slackware/slackware-9.0-iso/

I think those are CDs. As I recall, I started with Slackware 8.0 on a
W98SE box and it ran perfectly.  If it loads and installs OK, try newer
versions of Slackware.  Only minor diffs between today's Slackware and
Slack of yesteryear.  I usta have a Thinkpad 400.  I recall the
problem I had was how to get the OS onto the pad.  I don't think
it has USB.  If so, get a external USB HDD.  If not, look for a serial
cable based external HDD.  Might hafta buy used.  Look on ebay, too.  

nb

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#13429

thescullster <phil@nospam.com> [t]:
t> > I have been trying to load some version of Linux onto an IBM
t> Thinkpad 600X.  > Pentium III 500MHz.  > 196Mb RAM.

notbob <not...@nothome.com> [n]:
n> I don't think it has USB.  If so, get a external USB HDD.  If not,
n> look for a serial cable based external HDD.

If the Thinkpad has a network port and its BIOS supports BOOTP[*], then
the systemrescuecd-x86 (version 2.0.0+) linux can be loaded onto the
Thinkpad via a PC connected to it, which has booted off the
systemrescuecd-x86 liveCD. No need for the Thinkpad itself to have a
working CD drive. Once you have a working and bootable linux on the
Thinkpad, you should be able to add extra applications.

The above assumes a certain familiarity with TCP/IP networking
(assigning IPs and gateway), the command line and general linux system
administration. It's easy if you know what you are doing (and follow
the steps described in the fine documentation), but it's not exactly
point-and-click.


[*]: if it doesn't, there are bootable floppy disk images that can do
it instead

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#13428

thescullster wrote:

> Hi all
>
> I have been trying to load some version of Linux onto an IBM Thinkpad 600X.
> Pentium III 500MHz.
> 196Mb RAM.
>
> [snip]
>
> Anyone got a clue on how to load a version of Linux onto this machine?

Your main problem is RAM.  That is:  Not enough.  196MB is simply not
enough for almost all of today's Linux distros. However, you could try
Vector Linux "Light" edition. It's a contemporary release designed for
old systems with limited specs.

   http://vectorlinux.com/products

FWIW, about 7 years ago, I put Debian Sarge (later upgraded to Etch)
on a Thinkpad 240x -- same specs as yours, more or less -- with the XFCE
desktop.  Worked fine, but used about 128MB of RAM just to run the
OS/desktop.

Also, look at TinyCore Linux.  It'll run on just about anything.  It ran
very, very well on that 240X of mine.  IIRC, only used about
50MB RAM to boot to the GUI.

   http://www.tinycorelinux.net/welcome.html

Stef

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