Date: Sat, 11 Dec 1999 13:04:33 -0500 (EST) From: "Crist J. Clark" <cjc@cc942873-a.ewndsr1.nj.home.com> To: michael.suozzo@telops.gte.com Cc: freebsd-questions@FreeBSD.ORG Subject: Re: I would like to install FreeBSD on my Compaq 486-DX2 Message-ID: <199912111804.NAA67844@cc942873-a.ewndsr1.nj.home.com> In-Reply-To: <vines.SvZ7%2B83HIsA@flttpstc006.tmtrfl.tel.gte.com> from Michael Suozzo at "Dec 10, 1999 11:58:50 am"
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Michael Suozzo wrote,
> I have tried a number of times to read the installation materials and
> determine how I can download and install FreeBSD and have been unsuccessful.
>
> I have a Compaq 486-DX2 with 8 meg of memory. I have two drives, a 200 meg
^^^^^
Ooh. That might be trouble. The FAQ claims 4 MB is the minimum (8 MB
minimum if you run X), but I seem to recall people finding this is no
longer true for 3.x. I also vaguely recall that there might be an
issue that FreeBSD will run with only x MB, but you need (x+y) MB in
order to run the install.
> and a 400 meg. I do not have a CDROM attached, but I do have a modem.
> The machine is loaded with Windows 3.1, but I will re-install DOD 6.22 before
> trying to install FreeBSD. I don't believe my A drive can handle 1.44meg disks.
Ouch.
> I do have another machine with a CDROM running Windows 98 and I have a copy
> of Laplink.
>
> Another option might be to partition my Windows 98 machine and load FreeBSD
> in the new partition. To do this I would have to purchase a copy of Partition
> Magic or System Commander, so I can partition the drive without losing the
> Windows partition.
As someone else mentioned, there are plenty of freeware and shareware
tools to repartition DOS drives without loosing info.
I personally like using FreeBSD to make "legacy hardware," like 486s,
useful (a 486 can be a good firewall, dialup machine, etc.), but the
particular machine you seem to have there is pushing the limit.
--
Crist J. Clark cjclark@home.com
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