Linux realy old computer.

i did have to reinstall. i found that error 18 ment that my bios could only read the first 8GB of the hdd so i hade to make a /boot at the start of it.
now it was working but then i lost the network so im going to reinstall it again but i was going to anyway. but now its a bit of a pian becuase the old monitor i was using died on me so i have to keep swaping with the computer im no now. i could realy do with a kvm but oh well

edit: it seems that the network card had gone dead on me lol whats the chances of that.

 

i dont think that linux can kill a network card and a monitor
try to use a 2.4 kernel instead of a 2.6
if you want to test using a new distro try damn small linux , but you will have to reconfigure almost everything for have a working APT

 

Linux can't kill a piece of hardware, just like Windows can't...

And I would recommend the oposite of Elv13, a 2.6 kernel has more support for hardware then a 2.4... But make sure the "drivers" are loaded for your card... Google around for the brand and you'll get guides on how to do that. Probably "modprobe <module>".

And to answer your question about the different gentoo installs... Gentoo is installed from stages. Stage 1 & 2 are the most primitive ones, 3 is the one a end user uses to install. Stage 1 & 2 are stricktly for developers (as said in the gentoo manual) or people who know in detail what they are doing. The win you get (speed) from a stage 1 or 2 install are minimal. On older hardware it might make a difference, but 2-3 days of compiling just aren't worth it, not to mention the chance of it going bad...

 

i got some of these machine, some hardware are just not suported in 2.6. 2.6 have more hardware suport but 2.4 have more older hardware suport. If it was working like he said the devlopement of older branch of the kernel would stop after the first realise of the new one, but it is not like that. If you have problem with 2.6, try 2.4. I had to wait until kernel 2.6.14 to switch from 2.4.XX on my 2004 laptop, it is normal, just try, if it dont work, it dont work but trying is a good idea.

 

i did not say linux killed this card it did it its self it will not work in anycomputer i try so i know its dead. i just dont know why it had to do it at such a stupid time.

 

That's life stuff like that allways happens at a stupid time...

 

so il be packing this up for a few days wile i get a new network card. cant belive i didnt have one in my junk box so il just gona grab a bunch of eaby and then il be back with probly a crapola more questions.

 

remember to save your self some effort later... make sure what ever card you buy is supported out of the box by linux. I know its obvious but i've made that mistake before.

 

im just getting a couple of second hand ones off ebay. should be less than $2 each so im not realy woried if they dont work il just get another one.

 

Most wired network cards are usually detected (and compatible), it's when you go wireless that the problems start... It's more of a case of bad luck if you get one that isn't supported...

If possible, get some Intel's or 3Com's, they rock...

 

<ebay>EACH LOT LOT WILL INCLUDE INTEL, 3COM 10/100 AND REALTEK 10/100 OR SIMULAR CARD.</ebay>
oh good. now lets just hope i dont get out bid in the next 5 hours. i want my $7 lot of network cards.
and when i have this server running what should i do with it??

 

You have alot of choice:
-web storage
-local file server
-open vpn
-ftp server
-external firewall
-remote computer
-apache server
-MySQL server
-Music player
-Home theater box (need more than a P3... 256ram)
etc

 

don't get this the wrong way, but:
slutbox

 

slutbox??? im afraid to goole for that.
i might experment with network booting at one time as well.

 

http://p6drad-teel.net/~windo/****-box/

 

a slutbox isn't anything bad... It's a nickname for a experimental server environment, which is created solely for you to experiment on. We run a couple slutboxes at my highschool's computer club. It's being abused (hence the name) by our members, and gets a fresh HD image every month (to clean up the mess) or when it's needed.

A slutbox is basically a server on which you screw around to learn how it works...

 

Not trying to hijack the thread here, just piggyback lol. I just got an old Compaq Presario 7360 from a friend. K-6 500 or 566 mhz, 56 megs ram, 7.4 gig hdd. Would I be able to do the same type thing with that? Debian still the preferred install?

 

Debian runs on a 386 tbh It's preferred for it's use, not for the hardware Just be carefull with Compaq, older ones have their BIOS on the HD, wiping it clean could lead to some nasty surprises.

 

damn small linux is perfect for old machines should definately give it a try aswell