Dean Coffey wrote: > > The problem is that the computer in question is an IBM PS/2, > with an MCA motherboard. If memory serves, BL is based on > Slack 3.5,
Yes. > and Slack has the reputation from what I've been able to > determine for having the best support for an MCA based > system. I've had a quick look through Slackware 3.5 and it includes a special SCSI kernel called IBMMCA. I assume this is the one you need. You will find it a Slackware 3.5 site: ----------------------------------------------------------- ftp://ftp.slackware.com/pub/slackware/slackware-3.5/ ftp://ftp.cerias.purdue.edu/pub/os/slackware/slackware-3.5/ ftp://mirror.nucba.ac.jp/mirror/slackware/slackware-3.5/ ----------------------------------------------------------- Go to the /kernels/ibmmca.s directory. Download the bzImage. This replaces the zimage in the BasicLinux zip file. You will need to edit boot.bat to take account of this change. --------------------------------------------------- loadlin bzimage root=/dev/ram rw initrd=baslinux.gz --------------------------------------------------- > Therefore, I'm assuming (and we all know what *that* leads to) > that BL should work pretty well, Hope so. I have no experience with MCA. However, I did notice a reference to MCA ESDI hard disks using /dev/ed-. So, if the normal /dev/sd- designation (for scsi drives) isn't working, try /dev/ed-. For example, if /dev/sda1 doesn't work for the first partition on the first drive, try /dev/eda1. > Has anyone attempted using BL with an MCA based PS/2 > or other system? If so, are they compatible? You may be able to boot BasicLinux with the default zimage kernel; however, you won't be able to access your SCSI drives. Hopefully, the ibmmca bzimage kernel will give you full access. > I am willing to be the "test subject", if some of you Linux > guru-types are willing to give me a few pointers, Yes, I am happy to help (although this MCA stuff is new to me). > PS/2 Specs > 100 MHz 486 processor > 32 Megs RAM X should run fine on this machine as long as you keep it slim. > HD #1 1 Gig Micropolis SCSI, partitioned in two 500 Meg slices, > one of which has DR-DOS 7 installed. Second Partition is where > I would like to install BL. 500meg is more than enough. > HD #2 270 Meg IBM SCSI, partitioned into a 142 Meg drive (app), > and a 128 Meg drive, which I plan to use for a swap file 128meg is big. I'd use 64meg for swap and keep the remaining 64meg free for future use. In fact the HD installation of BasicLinux would be quite comfortable in 64meg. BasicLinux + X + icewm + netscape < 30meg > XGA video card (512K memory, I think) Is that the same as VGA? SVGA? > US Robotics Sportster 28.8 external modem Hooray! A real modem. Cheers, Steven
