Hello,


I'm trying to revive an ancient Thinkpad 380XD computer to be 'destroyed' by my child. Specs are:

• Pentium II 233MHz
• 64Mb RAM
• 60 or 80Gb HDD (original one broke, only bootable UNDER 1st 8Gb)
• NeoMagic VGA, 2Mb
• 1xUSB 1.1
• CD-ROM, almost useless as it read almost only original CDs.
• 1,44Mb Floppy
• 2 x PCMCIA 32 bits (CardBus)
• 10/100 Ethernet card, Tulip chipset
• Non used USRobotics 50K modem/fax
• IrDA, Serial, Parallel, PS/2 (on expansion bay), and many others

I'm planning using it to play any ancient games, with Linux / Win'98 dual boot.

* That computer was used with gentoo as home server several years ago.

1) I use a one of few working text-mode live-CD to boot computer and repartition disk:

• 128Mb boot, primary
• Windows, primary
• Data, shared, Windows/Linux
• Extended
• - Linux root
• - Linux swap

2) Win'98 installation was smooth, as CD drive is able read the disk. Then, using a (working) text live CD to boot and transfer data from USB pendrive to Windows partition I added all drivers,m unofficial Service Pack, USB mass storage, Kamaleon web browser, ClamWin AV, etc.

3) Linux installation was a nightmare, as most of live-CDs were not readable by computer's drive, and USB boot is not supported.

Luckly I have a Boot Floppy, Plop Boot Manager, that is able to boot a USB mass storage device (warning: not CDs!).

I created it using Windows 98, then used a USB stick to boot into AntiX live (JWM, minimal, stop slim service and do a text-mode installation).

4) Everything OK, except the need to move manually boot data to boot partition and reconfigure/reinstall grub (remember, no boot possible after 1st 8GB, and Windows has 10Gb).

5) Reboot, GRUB menu OK, AntiX option, fire.... and HANG! OOM when trying to uncompress initrd to memory.

6) OK, as I'm experienced with my own initrd-less kernels (the only ones I use on Gentoo), manually compiled with necessary drivers, I compiled my own kernel without initrd not ramdisk. With ext and SATA drivers integrated (only my PATA model).

7) Grub reconfiguration/installation and FIRE!

__{{emoticon}}__ I have my AntiX / Windows 98 ancient computer working. Now let's install some games; maybe it can run SHOGO MAD, Linux or Windows version...


Edit:

I want to note that AntiX kernel is 4.x series, but installing linux-sources package I got 3.6.x series. Is there any AntiX package with new & patched AntiX kernel?

Howdy and Welcome. I'll defer to others to comment on how to set up your ancient rig.
I have moved on from my ancient rigs.

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I will say dosbox will be your friend when it comes to gaming. if you need a old kernel. smxi will be your friend and Debian older kernel list in smxi is what you will need to explore.


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I give my grandkids atom netbooks to destroy now.

Naguissa wrote:I want to note that AntiX kernel is 4.x series, but installing linux-sources package I got 3.6.x series. Is there any AntiX package with new & patched AntiX kernel?

With such old hardware you might have more success with an older kernel than the 4x series.

There have been reports that the kernel shipped with antiX-15 can produce issues on older kit, including overheating. There seems to be a problem in controlling the fan.

Both the following were resolved by installing kernel 3.7.10-antix.7-486 which was produced for antiX-13.2 and was recently added to the antiX-15 repos. It can be installed just like any other package. Use apt-get, or synaptic, or whatever is your preferred installer.
catastrophic-power-off-t5757.html
noisy-fan-and-high-temp-t5765-15.html

A 4x series kernel is in development that might address the temperature/fan problem, but it is still a work-in-progress.
4-2-1-kernels-t5955.html

With hardware of such limited capability you might want to consider a distro specifically aimed at such kit.

Delicate offers a range of games

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