This repo provides the files necessary to build a Linux-based "operating system" for old i486 systems with at least 8MB of RAM. Build scripts for all components of the sysem are provided. An i486-linux toolchain is also built, enabling you to compile other programs for the system.
This repo provides the files necessary to build a modern Linux-based "operating system" for old i486 systems with at least 8MB of RAM. Build scripts for all components of the system are provided. An i486-linux toolchain is also built, enabling you to compile other programs for use with the system.
The generated boot floppy disk provides you with a Busybox system that is kept entirely in memory. uClibc's shared library files are also loaded into memory, allowing other programs to save on memory (as opposed to using static binaries).
The generated boot floppy disk provides you with a Busybox system that is kept entirely in memory. uClibc's shared library files are also loaded into memory, allowing other programs to save on memory (as opposed to using static binaries).
@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ A second floppy containing additional kernel modules can also be generated. Both
## Build requirements
## Build requirements
* building tools (make, gcc, linux's requirements, etc.)
* building tools (make, gcc, linux kernel's requirements, etc.)
* bash
* bash
* wget
* wget
* tar, xz, bzip2
* tar, xz, bzip2
@ -31,8 +31,7 @@ The system requires an i486 or better processor, a 3.5" floppy drive, and at lea
Notes:
Notes:
* Once the system is booted, the floppy disk can be removed.
* Once the system is booted, the boot floppy is no longer needed.
* root's password is `toor`.
* root's password is `toor`.
* Mount the modules floppy to `/lib/modules`; then, use `modprobe` for loading and unloading.
* Mount the modules floppy to `/lib/modules`; then, use `modprobe` for loading and unloading.
* The `msdos` module may need to be loaded to read MS-DOS/FAT floppies.
* The `msdos` module may need to be loaded to read MS-DOS/FAT floppies.
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