Peanut Linux Problems

[htmlmasterdave]

I've been trying to install linux on a 486 i got for free. Here are the specs:
486sx 33mhz
16 megs of ram
420 meg hd
10BaseT DLink ISA Network
Some old Cirrus Logic Video

I get an error saying no math coprocessor or emulation found when i try and install. It says it can install without it. I am trying to do a harddrive install. Anyone have any ideas or questions? TIA

 

[n0cmonkey]

If it can install without it, what is the problem? the 486SXes did not have the math coprocessor built in, I dont think. I think it was on the mobo.

 

[htmlmasterdave]

That is the exact thing, it says it can, but it seems to not be able to.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Have you tried any other distros? Any other errors? Does it freeze up?

 

[htmlmasterdave]

I tried redhat 7.1, but it needs more ram. It does freeze when it says that.

 

[MarcusAsleep]

Did you ask on the Peanut Linux forum? It's on their home page and usually the maker of the distro himself will answer your question on the same day!

Good Luck! (no idea's myself, Peanuts goal is to make the distro so it can run on just your type of machine-so just ask there)

Mark.

 

[spamsk8r]

You could try to find a math coprocessor somewhere, dunno where, or you could get a DX or something with the coproc built in

 

[fow99]

Some model of 486 don't have math co-processor builtin and if you see a small empty socket on your mobo, that is for the math processor. Linux should be able to install without it though. You might need to turn on the kernel math emulation.

 

[thornc]

The problem might be that they didn't put Co-Processor Emulation in the kernel!
So since you don't have one in the system your now in trouble... unless they have some kind
of patch for that!

Perhaps you can try Icepack linux, its another small distro that might suit you!

If not, slackware is customizable enough to run on that system...

Anyway, my advice would be to get RAM, more RAM, plenty of RAM!!
At least 32MB! 64MB would be good, anything more that 128 would be perfect!!!!!

with 16MB of ram you'll need at least a 48MB swap partition if not 64!!

I remember installing, doslinux in a 486SX 12MB laptop it would run but it was to slow
to be usable!!!

 

[fow99]

<< You could try to find a math coprocessor somewhere, dunno where, or you could get a DX or something with the coproc built in >>



I don't think a mobo which support co-processor support a 'real' 486 which has builtin math processor.

Sorry htmlmasterdave I am not saying that your chip is not a 'real' 486 of course it is. But 486 is meant to be a 386DX+math.

 

[htmlmasterdave]

Oh well, i got slackware and it's copying over right now, I'll let you guys know how it goes

 

[htmlmasterdave]

Well, i think this is going to work, but a 486 sure does slow down the works Hopefully it will be done by dinner time

 

[kylef]

<< Anyway, my advice would be to get RAM, more RAM, plenty of RAM!! >>



I don't think adding RAM to his system is going to be an option. He's already got 16 megs in a 486 SX system... That was the max of MY 486 SX system (once upon a time)...

Slackware is a great distribution for tight spaces. It can run with 16megs of RAM no problem whatsoever. I even managed to get it on a 486 laptop with 8 megs of RAM and a 200 meg HD. It made the laptop useful again as a console...