Mail Archives: djgpp/2013/10/09/15:45:07
On Sun, 29 Sep 2013 17:00:12 -0400, RayeR <glaux AT centrum DOT cz> wrote:
>> (Unfortunately, there's not enough Windows 98/SE support
>> of hardware for my new motherboard. So, Linux for Internet
>> and better working browser and media software than what
>> KernelEx supports... dual-booting for DJGPP...)
>
> BTW what mobo you have bought? I run 98SE on Core 2 Duo E8400 without
> limits and it can run even on newer machines with some limitations -
> here's the tread on MSFN about it:
Sorry for the delay...
<OT>
I was running on an MSI K9N-Neo F MS-7260 since (2007).
It died. I think maybe chipset failed or the chipset's BGA
unsoldered. I had two video cards have their BGA's unsolder,
so I began to suspect a heat build-up issue in the case.
The case doesn't have a case fan like newer cases...
I'm currently running on a Gigabyte GA-MA78LM-S2/S2H (2009).
The parts were bought new, but just not assembled for years.
It's a smaller motherboard with integrated video. It definately
doesn't get as hot inside the case near the motherboard.
For the MSI to work with Win98/KernelEx/NUSB/SP3, I had to
disable the onboard sound and ethernet and use 98/SE compatible
cards. Originally, I used Tihiy's patched Nvidia drivers, but
they didn't work with a newer card. So, I used VBEMP, thereafter.
Except for scrolling, VBEMP was pretty good. Unfortunately, it
was "closed" source even though supposedly derived from "open"
source ReactOS.
I could've disabled the audio and ethernet with the Gigabyte since
they don't work for WinSE either, but WinSE was having problems
with other devices and motherboard components. I finally fixed
a few of them. But, I figured I was missing out on full use of
my hardware, no sata, no multi-core, no vid drivers, etc... So,
I gave Linux a shot. Fortunately, I burned a Linux image at about
the same hardware era.
The MSI system was running fairly well:
https://groups.google.com/d/msg/comp.os.msdos.djgpp/SjFrY1FHdKQ/SLFnhc-Yte0J
After a *bit* of work re-configuring VLocity, I'm quite happy
with it for daily needs. It's the first distro since the mid
1990's that has ever supported *all* my hardware. I'm still
not fond of the *nix commands and command-line and haven't
quite figured out the directory structure yet... But, I had
familiarity with various command from SysV and attempts at
Linux in the past. But, it's Gslapt seems to correctly
install/uninstall applications. I had to disable a huge number
of default configs which started unecessary services and opened
all sorts of ports... I had to run 'nmap' a variety of ways to
make sure the services where actually disabled too. Some scripts
re-enabled them. I also had to enable ramdisks, write-back
cache's, disk buffering, etc. I had to enable and setup 'named'
since it was set by default to use automoatic DHCP and networking
that used master DNS servers... (cringe). Fortunately, I used
a fixed internal IP, so using 'named' worked out fine. I also had
to adjust/test/repeat Linux networks settings equivalent RWIN until
they were finally up to about 90% of the network speed in Windows...
I don't know what's up with that last 10%. The settings I had
to use for 30MB/5MB broadband were *HUGE* compared to what the
'net says they should be. And, most of the network settings weren't
even in the config scripts... I also had to change all
'hwclock --systohc' script lines to 'hwclock --hctosys' so it
wouldn't mess up the clock's time, but it still does so when it
screensaves. I also turned it from multi-user to mostly single
for security, and set it for text mode startup but enter graphics
XCFE by default. There are some issues still, like I can use
Thunar with Catfish to search for files, but I can't search within
them like with Win98/SE's search. I'm having to use the command
line to search:
find . -name "*" -exec grep -Hi "findme" {} \;
So, I'm just booting into non-networked, non-audio version WinSE
for various "remnant" issues and/or DOS console, although I may start
using DOSEMU for DJGPP. I intend to remove KernelEx and any Kex only
apps. Mainly, I need DOS access for DJGPP, but like the speed of
SE's dos console versus real-mode DOS. However, I just got DOSEMU
working for VLocity. So, once configured, that may allow easier use.
Hopefully, it's fast too. I have another machine from the late 90's
where I may be able to play Quake3Arena again, if I "merge" the two 98
operating systems together (need one OS and apps, need other's hardware
drivers). Many years ago, I merged a new install of SE into an existing
98. Hopefully, all I need are the drivers from the older system. The
files aren't usually the issue. The various differing, needed registry
keys are usually the PIA.
Rod Pemberton
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