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Just wanted to mention a side-project I'm working on:
https://git.archlinux32.org/archi486/tree/floppy/
The basic idea is to have a simple Linux bootloader on floppies, which uses a big split tarfile
containing kernel, ramdisk and additional drivers (all in one neat tarfile). This does away with
the old 'boot disk', 'root disk' pattern, while a ramdisk easily fits on a floppy, a modern Linux
kernel does not (unless you disable almost everything).
This was tested on a real Unisys 486 machine with 64MB of RAM, I used it to partition and
initialize a SD card, then I copied the ISO there and installed from the mounted chroot of
the ISO. This worked astonishingly well (though in 3-4 hours)..
After installing, I realized that systemd is really not suited for a 486, 66 MHz: from booting
to a login I need 4-5 minutes.. This rizes the question, whether an Archlinux32 is suitable
for such old computers at all..
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4-5 minuted to boot doesn't sound too bad to me. Gives you a chance to brew the kettle to make your liquid sustenance for the session. I assume it runs well once booted up, which is the main thing for me.
I assume you made some swap for this. Deconfiugring the kernel sounds fine to me, I mean a 486-66 will predate USB and PCI-Express. I remember running archlniux on a Coppermine Pentium-3 and that had USB1,1 round the back only. I'm not sure where a main dated 486 will have PCI or ISA buses, probably limited number of either socket. As long as it can run a VGA card and a soundblaster compatible card that's be enough for most.
Last edited by levi (2022-09-02 15:13:59)
Architecture: pentium4, Testing repos: Yes, Hardware: EeePC 901+2GB RAM+OS half on the SD card.
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