Re: Anybody got 2.4.0 running on a 386 ?

[Robert Kaiser]

On Wed, 10 Jan 2001, Ingo Molnar wrote:

> math-FPU emulation takes up quite some space in the kernel image, so this
> could indeed be the case. Could you disable any non-boot-essential
> subsystem (networking, or the serial driver, or anything else), to
> significantly reduce the image size?
> 

I tried this: apparently no effect. However, there may be hardware
issues involved (see below).

> not really. Could you write a small function that just reads the kernel
> image from the first symbol to the last one, and see whether it crashes?
> (read it into a volatile variable to make sure GCC reads it.)

I tried this: Reading the entire image never caused any crashes.

However, I did have some (rare) instances of the kernel booting
successfully. Then it would fail again, booting the very same image
that had worked before.

I am beginning to suspect that I may be dealing with flaky hardware.
(I'm working from home today and I only have access to one of my 386
specimen here).

I guess I'll better shut up until I can double check on
some other 386 boards tomorrow....

In the meantime, it would be helpful if anyone who has successfully
booted a 2.4.0 kernel on a 386 could report this to the list.

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