Baslinux mailing list

[baslinux AT lists.ibiblio.org]

On Fri, 18 Dec 2009, baslinux AT lists.ibiblio.org wrote:

> 2009/12/18  <baslinux AT lists.ibiblio.org>:
> > Sindi wrote:
> > Fixed (the HTML) and downloaded the tar file.
> >
> > I attempted to compile your 2.2-14 code but as I said, I have kernel
> > source code for 2.4.31 not 2.2, and it refused to compile.  Maybe Steven
> > will compile it for 2.2.26.  The readme.txt in your tar package explains
> > how to compile directly with gcc.  The instructions say to use it with
> > 2.2-14 but I presume 2.2.26 will also accept it.  If not maybe try insmod
> > -f .
>
> Yes, and I have tried compiling it, however throws enough errors to
> fill the entire console history. I sort of assumed I was doing
> something wrong since I have never compiled anything before.

I got pages of error messages too.  Maybe it requires a newer gcc 
(compiler) than 2.95.3, since the hardware is newer.

> > http://keesan.freeshell.org/bl/2.4.31/bzimagla.431 is a small one for
> > laptops, bzimlafb.431 includes framebuffer support (useful with neomagic
> > video where Xvesa does not work - use Xfbdev), bzimavsp.431 a big one for
> > desktops with newer IDE controllers, bzimlafb-cb.431 one with cardbus
> > support for laptops but I have not yet tested it yet.
> >
> > 8139too.o is in a modules package there.   You will also need crc32 and
> > mii.
> >
> > 2.4 kernels support USB storage (flash drives, cameras).


If you are booting from DOS with loadlin, put my kernel in the same 
directory as zimage (C:\baslin), and replace zimage with the name of my 
kernel in hd.bat (or whatever your booting batch file is called).
The kernel does not need to be mounted or untarred - it is not tarred to 
start with.  (If it ends in .gz you can gunzip it).

After you boot, mkdir /lib/modules/2.4.31
Copy my modules there (cp *.o /lib/modules/2.4.31/)

You probably need crc32.o mii.o and 8139too.o.

You can also insmod from any other location:
insmod /tmp/module.o (you need the .o in this case).

If you are booting with lilo you need to change /etc/lilo.conf to use the 
new kernel (or add a paragraph to what is already there so you will have a 
choice of bl3 and bl3-2.4, for instance), and put the new kernel where the 
old kernel is (in /boot usually), then lilo -v to redo lilo.  Next time 
you boot it should use the new kernel instead, or else let you choose 
between bl3 and bl3-2.4 if you added a section instead of editing the 
existing one.

The kernel was compiled from source code (a large collection of other 
files), after configuring (checks your computer for required programs 
after you tell it what you want the kernel to include).  Another list 
member coached me through how to do this.  You don't need to compile 
anything here, just use my kernel.  bzimavsp.431 or bzimasmf.431 (for 
older boards without fast IDE controllers).

> Okay, after trying for hours I can't find out how I'm supposed to
> upgrade the kernel - as far as I can tell, it is not source. I have
> been unable to mount it, untar it, and if I replace /boot/zimage with
> it, uname still says it's version 2.2.26 (although I can successfully
> boot). I have been unable to find any online guide that relates to
> such a situation. I'm very grateful for your help.
>
> By the way, how much is very low memory? The computer has 64 mb, plus
> 100 mb of swap space.

I have used BL3 in 12MB memory with X (or 3MB without X, slowly), but with 
24MB and swap file it can run Opera 8.54 in BL2.  64MB is plenty.  You can 
run BL2 with glibc upgrade to 2.3.6 in 64MB, and use Seamonkey or Firefox 
(don't open too many webpages at once).

DSL linux will run in 64MB but probably not with a graphical browser.
Most linuxes automatically insert modules (drivers) for any hardware they 
find and use up a lot of memory.  BL makes you do it all yourself and you 
can insmod only what you will actually be using.  Which is why it works on 
older computers with little memory.   Also Xvesa uses less RAM than 
regular X.  jwm is a low memory window manager. links2 uses much less 
memory than other graphical browsers.

Unless your board uses SIMMs (hard to find 32MB SIMMs and not all boards 
accept them), you can add more memory.  I have 128MB DIMMs to spare.
What speed computer?  Can it even keep up with a superfast NIC?


Sindi