Subject: Linux-Activists Digest #5
From: Digestifier <[email-masked]>
To: [email-masked]
Date: Wed, 1 Apr 92 20:45:21 EST

Linux-Activists Digest #5, Volume #2              Wed, 1 Apr 92 20:45:21 EST

Contents:
  Swap space for LINUX (Chris Flatters)
  Re: Booting Linux from a Hard Disk (Joel M. Hoffman)
  backspace doesn't work with ash:  work-around! (Joel M. Hoffman)
  problems with IO after suspending process (Joel M. Hoffman)
  Re: GCC/Make Probs (Joe Smith)
  Re: ST-506 and IDE drives on the same machine ? (Kevin Cummings)
  Re: ST-506 and IDE drives on the same machine ? (Kevin Cummings)
  For the PS/2? (Mark H. Wood)
  Re: Swap space for LINUX (Charles Hedrick)
  Re: For the PS/2? (cm445a17)
  Re: ST-506 and IDE drives on the same machine ? (Drew Eckhardt)
  Help a Linux wannabe... (BATES, ROBERT PATRICK)
  Re: ST-506 and IDE drives on the same machine ? (David R. Giller)
  new mtools (Michael K. Johnson)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: [email-masked] (Chris Flatters)
Subject: Swap space for LINUX
Reply-To: [email-masked]
Date: Wed, 1 Apr 1992 18:08:06 GMT

I'm about to take the plunge and replace MINIX with LINUX.  I am going to
have to repartition my hard drive and I need to have some idea of how to
calculate the size of a swap partition.  Does LINUX use the usual UNIX
strategy of mapping the available virtual memory onto the swap partition
so that the swap partition needs to be at least as large as the core memory
or does the swap partition merely hold VM pages which are not currently in
core.

        Chris Flatters

------------------------------

From: [email-masked] (Joel M. Hoffman)
Subject: Re: Booting Linux from a Hard Disk
Date: Wed, 1 Apr 1992 19:40:54 GMT

In article <[email-masked]> [email-masked] (Drew Eckhardt) writes:
>The Good Thing to do is to use shoelace.  Shoelace is a small 
>boot monitor that will allow you boot ANY file off of a Minix 
>file system (I boot up off of /vmunix in my root partition,
>and for testing can boot /usr/src/linux/Image, /vmunix.bak if
>vmunix is corrupted, etc).  

Is a copy of /vmunix available somewhere, or does one have to compile it
from the sources?

-Joel
([email-masked])

------------------------------

From: [email-masked] (Joel M. Hoffman)
Subject: backspace doesn't work with ash:  work-around!
Date: Wed, 1 Apr 1992 19:55:32 GMT

I've noted that, when the backspace doesn't work under a VC with ash,
reseting the screen with setterm from another VC tends to fix the problem.
E.g., if you're having a problem under /dev/tty1, go into /dev/tty2 and
try
        setterm -reset > /dev/tty1

It's worked for me a few times.  Don't know why.

-Joel
([email-masked])

------------------------------

From: [email-masked] (Joel M. Hoffman)
Subject: problems with IO after suspending process
Date: Wed, 1 Apr 1992 19:51:45 GMT

I've noticed the following annoying behavior with both elvis and
gnu-emacs when run from bash:  After suspending the process (via ^Z)
and then resuming it (with `fg') IO is all wrong.  Input isn't
recognized until a CR is sent.  This looks like a simple bug
concerning tty modes, but I don't really know anything about tty
modes.  (And I don't really believe in ``simple bugs''....)

I'm using the bash distributed with 0.12.  I haven't been able to find
a more recent version.

-Joel
([email-masked])

------------------------------

From: [email-masked] (Joe Smith)
Subject: Re: GCC/Make Probs
Date: 1 Apr 92 19:17:00 GMT
Reply-To: [email-masked]

In article <[email-masked]> [email-masked] (Steve Ansell) writes:
>In article <[email-masked]> [email-masked] (Court Demas) writes:
>>
>>I posted about this before, but I'm still having problems:
>>
>>I have  installed GCC 1.4 (gccnew) and make (don't remember where it
>>came from).  They're both in usr/bin although I've tried them in
>>usr/local/bin also.  When I try to execute either one, I get:
>>
>>gcc: Error, unable to execute binary file:  Can't execute program.
>>
>
>Try either adding /usr/lib to your PATH variable or linking the files
>/usr/lib/cc1 and /usr/lib/cpp to someplace that is already in your
>path.  This was the problem when I got that very message.

Last night I tracked this down to a bad 'as' (gas) in /usr/bin
(untarred from the newgcc.tar.Z file on tsx-11).  Although gcc just
says 'can't exec...', running 'as' directly gave a memory fault
(general protection error).  I tried untarring the file with the tar
from the 0.95a root floppy as well with the same result.  Unpacked on
a Sun-3, 'as' is the same size, but gives a different checksum.

This isn't really a solution - my plan is to carry the 'as' file
home separately tonight.

Given the number of bad file transfers people seem to encounter, maybe
something like 'zoo' that computes a checksum would be a better means
of doing the transfer, at least until 'tar' stabilizes.

<Joe

 Joe Smith
 University of Pennsylvania                    [email-masked]
 Dept. of Biochemistry and Biophysics          (215) 898-8348
 Philadelphia, PA 19104-6059
-- 
 Joe Smith
 University of Pennsylvania                    [email-masked]
 Dept. of Biochemistry and Biophysics          (215) 898-8348
 Philadelphia, PA 19104-6059

------------------------------

From: [email-masked] (Kevin Cummings)
Crossposted-To: alt.os.linux,comp.sys.ibm.pc.misc,comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware
Subject: Re: ST-506 and IDE drives on the same machine ?
Date: 1 Apr 92 19:33:37 GMT

In article <[email-masked]>, [email-masked] (Richard Lewis) writes:
> I have a Viglen 386LS (2M RAM, 44M ST-506 Drive, Western Digital
> Controller).  I have heard that it is possible to add a new IDE drive
> and controller while maintaining the original ST-506. Does anyone know
> if this is so and how can I do it ? 
> 
> Also, has anyone managed to estimate how much hard disc Linux is going
> to require to be useful. OK that's like asking 'how long is a piece of
> string' so how about some example estimates ? My minumum configuration
> would include Linux, GCC, X11 (when available) .
> 
> Richard.

LINUX ANSWER:   There is no support in LINUX for disk controllers at the
                secondary controller addresses (yet).  Care to write
                and debug it?

DOS ANSWER:     I got told by Hard Drives International that the only
                disk controller that would run with an MFM controller
                would be a SCSI controller.  I do have a friend who is
                running an ESDI and an IDE concurrently, however.

                I suspect in reality that it is possible given the following
                conditions:

        1)  Run the IDE as the primary disk controller.
        2)  Setup the CMOS disk drive types to indicate the IDE drives ONLY.
            If only one IDE drive, set the second disk type to NOT INSTALLED.
        3)  Strap the MFM contoller to the secondary addresses.
            (This may not be possible on some MFM controllers.  If so, you are SOL)
        3a) If both disk controllers have floppy drive support,
            strap one or the other to the sencondary addresses, or disable one.
            (If this is not possible, then your floppies will NOT work right!)
        4)  Run the MFM via a device driver (software required under DOS).

I have not seen an IDE controller that can be addressed at the secondary
disk controller addresses.  If you can find one, you may be able to
swap the disk controllers listed above.

No, I do not know where to get the device driver software for the secondary
controller.

BE CAREFUL:  I had to upgrade my BIOS in order to run a large capacity IDE
drive in my system.  (No configurable disk drive type in my disk table).
HDI offered to sell me an IDE controller with a BIOS on it instead of me
getting a BIOS upgrade (the extra expense in the IDE disk controller was
less $$ than the BIOS upgrade), but I opted for the BIOS upgrade anyways.

PS  this is more appropriate for comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware than c.s.i.p.misc.
        Follows directed there and comp.os.linux.
=================================================================
Kevin J. Cummings                       Prime Computer Inc.
20 Briarwood Road                       500 Old Connecticut Path
Framingham, Mass.                       Framingham, Mass.

InterNet:  [email-masked]
UUCP:      uunet!primerd.Prime.COM!cummings

Std. Disclaimer: "Mr. McKittrick, after careful consideration,
                  I've come to the conclusion that your new
                  defense system SUCKS..."   --  War Games
=================================================================

------------------------------

From: [email-masked] (Kevin Cummings)
Crossposted-To: alt.os.linux,comp.sys.ibm.pc.misc,comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware
Subject: Re: ST-506 and IDE drives on the same machine ?
Date: 1 Apr 92 19:33:37 GMT

In article <[email-masked]>, [email-masked] (Richard Lewis) writes:
> I have a Viglen 386LS (2M RAM, 44M ST-506 Drive, Western Digital
> Controller).  I have heard that it is possible to add a new IDE drive
> and controller while maintaining the original ST-506. Does anyone know
> if this is so and how can I do it ? 
> 
> Also, has anyone managed to estimate how much hard disc Linux is going
> to require to be useful. OK that's like asking 'how long is a piece of
> string' so how about some example estimates ? My minumum configuration
> would include Linux, GCC, X11 (when available) .
> 
> Richard.

LINUX ANSWER:   There is no support in LINUX for disk controllers at the
                secondary controller addresses (yet).  Care to write
                and debug it?

DOS ANSWER:     I got told by Hard Drives International that the only
                disk controller that would run with an MFM controller
                would be a SCSI controller.  I do have a friend who is
                running an ESDI and an IDE concurrently, however.

                I suspect in reality that it is possible given the following
                conditions:

        1)  Run the IDE as the primary disk controller.
        2)  Setup the CMOS disk drive types to indicate the IDE drives ONLY.
            If only one IDE drive, set the second disk type to NOT INSTALLED.
        3)  Strap the MFM contoller to the secondary addresses.
            (This may not be possible on some MFM controllers.  If so, you are SOL)
        3a) If both disk controllers have floppy drive support,
            strap one or the other to the sencondary addresses, or disable one.
            (If this is not possible, then your floppies will NOT work right!)
        4)  Run the MFM via a device driver (software required under DOS).

I have not seen an IDE controller that can be addressed at the secondary
disk controller addresses.  If you can find one, you may be able to
swap the disk controllers listed above.

No, I do not know where to get the device driver software for the secondary
controller.

BE CAREFUL:  I had to upgrade my BIOS in order to run a large capacity IDE
drive in my system.  (No configurable disk drive type in my disk table).
HDI offered to sell me an IDE controller with a BIOS on it instead of me
getting a BIOS upgrade (the extra expense in the IDE disk controller was
less $$ than the BIOS upgrade), but I opted for the BIOS upgrade anyways.

PS  this is more appropriate for comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware than c.s.i.p.misc.
        Follows directed there and comp.os.linux.
=================================================================
Kevin J. Cummings                       Prime Computer Inc.
20 Briarwood Road                       500 Old Connecticut Path
Framingham, Mass.                       Framingham, Mass.

InterNet:  [email-masked]
UUCP:      uunet!primerd.Prime.COM!cummings

Std. Disclaimer: "Mr. McKittrick, after careful consideration,
                  I've come to the conclusion that your new
                  defense system SUCKS..."   --  War Games
=================================================================

------------------------------

From: [email-masked] (Mark H. Wood)
Subject: For the PS/2?
Date: 1 Apr 92 20:29:40 GMT

OK, I snarfed the installation files from TSX-11 and made a boot and a root 
diskette.  The boot diskette says Loading......., asks me what video mode I 
prefer, tells me I have N consoles, and then wanders off into the weeds 
never to return.  I'm doing this on a genuine IBM PS/2-70 E61 with the "
Integrated Hard Disk Adaptor".  My guess would be that this adaptor is the 
problem since the last visible activity was some sort of hard-disk action.  
Any hints would be welcome.

------------------------------

From: [email-masked] (Charles Hedrick)
Subject: Re: Swap space for LINUX
Date: 1 Apr 92 20:41:23 GMT

[email-masked] (Chris Flatters) writes:

>Does LINUX use the usual UNIX
>strategy of mapping the available virtual memory onto the swap partition
>so that the swap partition needs to be at least as large as the core memory

No.  You can run Linux without any swap space.  Swap space expands
your available VM -- you don't need to start by allocating the same
amount of physical memory.  However it's probably still a good idea to
have at least that much swap space.

If you have 4MB of memory you may be able to exist with no swap space
at all.  C may run out of memory, but I actually managed to recompile
the kernel on a 4MB machine with no swapping.  However I think most
people recommend that you have at least some swap space available.

------------------------------

From: [email-masked] (cm445a17)
Subject: Re: For the PS/2?
Date: Wed, 1 Apr 1992 22:16:45 GMT

[email-masked] (Mark H. Wood) writes:

>OK, I snarfed the installation files from TSX-11 and made a boot and a root 
>diskette.  The boot diskette says Loading......., asks me what video mode I 
>prefer, tells me I have N consoles, and then wanders off into the weeds 
>never to return.  I'm doing this on a genuine IBM PS/2-70 E61 with the "
>Integrated Hard Disk Adaptor".  My guess would be that this adaptor is the 
>problem since the last visible activity was some sort of hard-disk action.  
>Any hints would be welcome.

Linux DOES NOT support MCA machines, only ISA ones as fasr as I know.  Looks
like you are out of luck.  Sorry,

Jaime

------------------------------

Crossposted-To: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware
From: [email-masked] (Drew Eckhardt)
Subject: Re: ST-506 and IDE drives on the same machine ?
Date: Wed, 1 Apr 1992 22:39:05 GMT

In article <[email-masked]> [email-masked] (Kevin Cummings) writes:
>In article <[email-masked]>, [email-masked] (Richard Lewis) writes:
>> I have a Viglen 386LS (2M RAM, 44M ST-506 Drive, Western Digital
>> Controller).  I have heard that it is possible to add a new IDE drive
>> and controller while maintaining the original ST-506. Does anyone know
>> if this is so and how can I do it ? 
>> 
>> Also, has anyone managed to estimate how much hard disc Linux is going
>> to require to be useful. OK that's like asking 'how long is a piece of
>> string' so how about some example estimates ? My minumum configuration
>> would include Linux, GCC, X11 (when available) .
>> 
>> Richard.

>LINUX ANSWER:  There is no support in LINUX for disk controllers at the
>               secondary controller addresses (yet).  Care to write
>               and debug it?

A bootable kernel is available that supports Seagate and Ultrastor host
adapters.  Tommy Thorn (Many Thanks!) has finished the Adaptec low level driver
so that will find its way in to the "official" SCSI package by this weekend,

>DOS ANSWER:     I got told by Hard Drives International that the only
>               disk controller that would run with an MFM controller
>               would be a SCSI controller.  I do have a friend who is
>               running an ESDI and an IDE concurrently, however.
>
>               I suspect in reality that it is possible given the following
>               conditions:

Extended DOS answer : An XT type disk controller with BIOS onboard will
coexist with a "normal" WD1003 compatble IDE, ESDI, MFM, RLL, etc controller.
Note that you will not be able to use such a controller under Linux, which
expects an AT compatable controller of some sort.

------------------------------

From: [email-masked] (BATES, ROBERT PATRICK)
Subject: Help a Linux wannabe...
Date: 1 Apr 92 22:12:00 GMT

Howdy!  I heard about Linux on a thread here at TAMU, and would like to get a 
copy.  However, when I got onto the MIT system, I couldn't make heads or tails 
of what I needed to get for installing the system.  Also, will it reside dually 
with say DOS 5.0 on a 130 MB IDE drive?  Do I need to partition it out in any 
specific way?

Any help would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks!

==============================================================================
Robert Bates                        Disclaimer:
[email-masked]                  "I make no claims..."
Texas A & M University
==============================================================================

------------------------------

Crossposted-To: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware
From: [email-masked] (David R. Giller)
Subject: Re: ST-506 and IDE drives on the same machine ?
Date: Wed, 1 Apr 1992 23:04:03 GMT

In article <[email-masked]> [email-masked] (Kevin Cummings) writes:
>LINUX ANSWER:  There is no support in LINUX for disk controllers at the
>               secondary controller addresses (yet).  Care to write
>               and debug it?
>
>DOS ANSWER:     I got told by Hard Drives International that the only
>               disk controller that would run with an MFM controller
>               would be a SCSI controller.  I do have a friend who is
>               running an ESDI and an IDE concurrently, however.
>
>               I suspect in reality that it is possible given the following
>               conditions:
[...]

Be CAREFUL, however.  Some SCSI adaptors emulate IDE BIOS functions, and will
cause problems.  Further, some SCSI adaptors (like my Mylex) emulate IDE
HARDWARE.  I tried to add an IDE drive to my system, and I can tell you from
experience that two devices on the bus, both responding to and sending out
the same hardware signals, is not too good for your data.  Nothing was
physically damaged, but I lost 420Mb of data (backed up) and frightened 
myself, because it took 3 days of experimenting with various utilities to
get back the partition table on a SCSI drive that can't be low-level formatted.

-Dave

-- 
David Giller, Box 134 | Q: How many Oregonians does it take to screw in a light
Occidental College    | bulb?  A: Three.  One to replace the bulb, and two to
1600 Campus Road      | fend off all the Californians trying to share the
Los Angeles, CA 90041 | experience. [email-masked]

------------------------------

From: [email-masked] (Michael K. Johnson)
Subject: new mtools
Reply-To: [email-masked]
Date: Thu, 2 Apr 1992 01:36:49 GMT

The new mtools is at
tsx-11.mit.edu:/pub/linux/binaries/usr.bin/mtools.n.tar.Z

This includes a Readme, diffs to the most recent previous version, and
a binary for Linux.

michaelkjohnson
[email-masked]

------------------------------

** FOR YOUR REFERENCE **

The service address, to which questions about the list itself and requests
to be added to or deleted from it should be directed, is:

    Internet: [email-masked]

You can send mail to the entire list (and comp.os.linux) via:

    Internet: [email-masked]

Linux may be obtained via one of these FTP sites:
    nic.funet.fi				pub/OS/Linux
    tsx-11.mit.edu				pub/linux
    tupac-amaru.informatik.rwth-aachen.de	pub/msdos/replace

The current version of Linux is 0.95a released on March 17, 1992

End of Linux-Activists Digest
******************************