gThis computer is an old IBM Aptiva, circa 1998. It was state-of-the-art back then, but is now almost too slow to be of use in the modern computing environment. However as it is the only computer available to its owner I have attempted to do something with it for him.
Computer Specs are : --
root@clive-Aptiva:/media/disk/Scripts# ./sysinfo.sh
################################################################################
## KDEmod Sysinfo V0.1 ##
################################################################################
System information for: clive-Aptiva
Created: Wed Sep 24 13:44:43 NZST 2008
User: root
Release: Platform: i586
CPU data:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
vendor_id : AuthenticAMD
model name : AMD-K6(tm) 3D processor
cpu MHz : 333.346
cache size : 64 KB
RAM data (MiB):
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
total used free shared buffers cached
Mem: 249 234 14 0 8 82
-/+ buffers/cache: 144 105
Swap: 1027 107 920
PCI devices:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
00:00.0 Host bridge: ALi Corporation M1541 (rev 04)
00:01.0 PCI bridge: ALi Corporation M1541 PCI to AGP Controller (rev 04)
00:02.0 USB Controller: ALi Corporation USB 1.1 Controller (rev 03)
00:07.0 ISA bridge: ALi Corporation M1533/M1535 PCI to ISA Bridge [Aladdin IV/V/V+] (rev b5)
00:0f.0 IDE interface: ALi Corporation M5229 IDE (rev 20)
00:14.0 Ethernet controller: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL-8139/8139C/8139C+ (rev 10)
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: ATI Technologies Inc 3D Rage Pro AGP 1X/2X (rev 5c)
USB devices:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bus 001 Device 003: ID 0c76:0005 JMTek, LLC. Transcend USB Flash disk
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 045e:0040 Microsoft Corp. Wheel Mouse Optical [ Note : I am using an optical USB mouse as the roller mouse doesn't work
- just careers off the page never to return.]
Disk space:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Available: 34 GiB
Used: 3 GiB
Free: 30 GiB
Kernel info:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Linux 2.6.24-19-generic #1 SMP Wed Aug 20 22:56:21 UTC 2008
8139cp 8139too af_packet
agpgart ali_agp alim15x3
apm ata_generic bitblit
bluetooth cdrom cpufreq_conservative
cpufreq_ondemand cpufreq_powersave cpufreq_stats
cpufreq_userspace evdev ext3
fat fbcon floppy
font freq_table fuse
gameport hid ide_cd
ide_core ide_disk iptable_filter
ip_tables ipv6 jbd
l2cap libata libusual
lp mbcache mii
nls_cp437 nls_iso8859_1 ns558
ohci_hcd parport parport_pc
pata_acpi pci_hotplug pcspkr
ppdev psmouse rfcomm
scsi_mod sd_mod serio_raw
sg shpchp snd
snd_cs4231_lib snd_cs4232 snd_hwdep
snd_mixer_oss snd_mpu401_uart snd_opl3_lib
snd_page_alloc snd_pcm snd_pcm_oss
snd_rawmidi snd_seq snd_seq_device
snd_seq_dummy snd_seq_midi snd_seq_midi_event
snd_seq_oss snd_timer softcursor
soundcore tileblit usbcore
usbhid usb_storage vfat
x_tables
Uptime and Load average:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13:44:49 up 4:04, 4 users, load average: 1.59, 1.27, 1.18
Processes:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
aio apmd ata ata_aux atd
avahi-daemon awk bash bluetoothd-serv btaddconn
btdelconn console-kit-dae cron dbus-daemon dbus-launch
dd dhcdbd dhclient events firefox
gam_server gconfd-2 gdm getty gnome-keyring-d
gnome-power-man gnome-pty-helpe hald hald-addon-inpu hald-addon-stor
hald-runner hcid init kapmd kblockd
kgameportd khelper khubd kjournald klogd
kondemand krfcommd kseriod ksoftirqd ksuspend_usbd
kswapd0 kthreadd migration NetworkManager NetworkManagerD
nm-applet orageclock pdflush python scsi_eh
ssh-agent su sysinfo.sh syslogd system-tools-ba
Thunar thunar-tpa top udevd update-notifier
usb-storage vim watchdog xargs xfce4-clipman-p
xfce4-menu-plug xfce4-mixer-plu xfce4-netload-p xfce4-panel xfce4-places-pl
xfce4-systemloa xfce4-terminal xfce4-weather-p xfce-mcs-manage xfdesktop
xfwm4 Xorg x-session-manag
Daemons:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
cat: /etc/rc.conf: No such file or directory
root@clive-Aptiva:/media/disk/Scripts# [Note : I ran this script from the pendrive in the USB port. Worth knowing about that!]
More information : --
clive@clive-Aptiva:~$ lspci -v
00:00.0 Host bridge: ALi Corporation M1541 (rev 04)
Subsystem: ALi Corporation ALI M1541 Aladdin V/V+ AGP System Controller
Flags: bus master, slow devsel, latency 32
Memory at e0000000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=128M]
Capabilities: <access denied>
00:01.0 PCI bridge: ALi Corporation M1541 PCI to AGP Controller (rev 04) (prog-if 00 [Normal decode])
Flags: bus master, slow devsel, latency 32
Bus: primary=00, secondary=01, subordinate=01, sec-latency=32
I/O behind bridge: 00008000-00008fff
Memory behind bridge: 80400000-804fffff
Prefetchable memory behind bridge: 80500000-820fffff
00:02.0 USB Controller: ALi Corporation USB 1.1 Controller (rev 03) (prog-if 10 [OHCI])
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 32, IRQ 9
Memory at 82100000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=4K]
00:07.0 ISA bridge: ALi Corporation M1533/M1535 PCI to ISA Bridge [Aladdin IV/V/V+] (rev b5)
Subsystem: Unknown device 4341:5245
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0
00:0f.0 IDE interface: ALi Corporation M5229 IDE (rev 20) (prog-if 8a [Master SecP PriP])
Subsystem: Unknown device 4341:5245
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 32, IRQ 14
[virtual] Memory at 000001f0 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [disabled] [size=8]
[virtual] Memory at 000003f0 (type 3, non-prefetchable) [disabled] [size=1]
[virtual] Memory at 00000170 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [disabled] [size=8]
[virtual] Memory at 00000370 (type 3, non-prefetchable) [disabled] [size=1]
I/O ports at 7400 [size=16]
00:14.0 Ethernet controller: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL-8139/8139C/8139C+ (rev 10)
Subsystem: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RT8139
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 32, IRQ 10
I/O ports at 7000 [size=256]
Memory at 80100000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=256]
Expansion ROM at 80120000 [disabled] [size=64K]
Capabilities: <access denied>
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: ATI Technologies Inc 3D Rage Pro AGP 1X/2X (rev 5c) (prog-if 00 [VGA controller])
Subsystem: ATI Technologies Inc Rage Pro Turbo AGP 2X
Flags: bus master, stepping, medium devsel, latency 32
Memory at 81000000 (32-bit, prefetchable) [size=16M]
I/O ports at 8000 [size=256]
Memory at 80400000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=4K]
Expansion ROM at 80420000 [disabled] [size=128K]
Capabilities: <access denied>
clive@clive-Aptiva:~$
Partitioning on the Hard Drive :
root@clive-Aptiva:/# fdisk -l
Disk /dev/hda: 40.0 GB, 40020664320 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 4865 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x964f964f
Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/hda1 * 1 653 5245191 c W95 FAT32 (LBA) This partition is designated for an MS Windows 98 Second Edition installation.
/dev/hda2 654 4865 33832890 5 Extended
/dev/hda5 654 784 1052226 82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/hda6 785 2089 10482381 83 Linux This partition is the root partition for an installation of Cosmosis-X
/dev/hda7 2090 2587 4000153+ 83 Linux This partition is the /home directory
/dev/hda8 2588 4865 18298003+ b W95 FAT32 This partition is a common data partition, accessible from both OSes.
Rescue Floppy
Note : Re the Floppy Drive [/mnt/fd0]
[Just when you thought that there is nothing more to learn, you discover something like this!]
root@clive-Aptiva:/dev# floppymeter
Warning: all data on the floppy disk will be lost. Continue (y/N)? y
_____________________________________________
|rotations |average |sliding |missed |
|since start|time per |average of |rotations|
|of test |rotation |the last | |
| |since start|10 | |
| |of test |rotations | |
|===========|===========|===========|=========|
| 1000 | 199547 | 199401 | 0 |
|___________|___________|___________|_________|
capacity=199534 half bits (should be 200000 half bits)
time_per_rotation=199547 microseconds (should be 200000)
data transfer rate=499967 bits per second (should be 500000)
deviation on capacity: -2330 ppm
deviation on time_per_rotation: -2265 ppm
deviation on data transfer rate: -66 ppm
Insert the following line to your /etc/driveprm file:
drive0: deviation=-2330
root@clive-Aptiva:/dev#
And finally managed to write a rescue image to a floppy disk!
root@clive-Aptiva:/home/clive# dd if=/home/clive/AptivaRescue.iso of=/dev/fd0
2880+0 records in
2880+0 records out
1474560 bytes (1.5 MB) copied, 85.3087 s, 17.3 kB/s
root@clive-Aptiva:/home/clive#
Now to test the boot-floppy in preparation for another attempt at installing MS Windows 98 Second Edition, which will overwrite the MBR.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
New Games installed via Synaptic : --
Commit Log for Wed Sep 24 11:29:29 2008
Installed the following packages:
atlantik (4:3.5.9-0ubuntu1)
gnome-games (1:2.22.3-0ubuntu2)
gnome-games-data (1:2.22.3-0ubuntu2)
kdelibs-data (4:3.5.9-0ubuntu7.1)
kdelibs4c2a (4:3.5.9-0ubuntu7.1)
launchpad-integration (0.1.19)
libarts1c2a (1.5.9-0ubuntu2)
libavahi-qt3-1 (0.6.22-2ubuntu4)
libkdegames1 (4:3.5.9-0ubuntu1)
liblua50 (5.0.3-3)
liblualib50 (5.0.3-3)
libsdl-image1.2 (1.2.6-3)
libsdl-mixer1.2 (1.2.8-1ubuntu0.1)
libsdl-pango1 (0.1.2-3)
libsdl-ttf2.0-0 (2.0.9-1)
libvorbisfile3 (1.2.0.dfsg-2)
ttf-sil-andika (0.001.desrev-5)
ttf-sil-doulos (4.102-1)
tuxmath (1.5.8-2)
tuxtype (1.5.15.dfsg1-3ubuntu1)
tuxtype-data (1.5.15.dfsg1-3ubuntu1)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dual-booting
I attempted to install MS Windows 98 Second Edition before installing Linux, but was unsuccessful. I kept getting an error message rejecting the product code I was using, so I gave up and installed Cosmosis-X in spite of not having fully installed Win98.
I have made a boot-floppy, using the CLI utility, thus
[code]clive@clive-Aptiva:/media/floppy0$ grub-mkrescue --image-type=floppy AptivaRescue.iso
[/code]
This produced an ISO file, which I was finally able to write to the floppy after much trouble. I had to discard the first floppy as it could not be read. Formatting a new floppy ensured that the write went OK.
[code]clive@clive-Aptiva:/media/floppy0$ dd if=AptivaRescue.iso of=/dev/fd0
[/code]
However, while doing this I discovered another CLI application, grub-pc, recommended by the CLI error messages.
[quote]GRUB is a portable, powerful bootloader. This version of GRUB is based on a
cleaner design than its predecessors, and provides the following new features:
- Scripting in grub.cfg using BASH-like syntax.
- Support for modern partition maps such as GPT.
- Modular generation of grub.cfg via update-grub. Packages providing GRUB
add-ons can plug in their own script rules and trigger updates by invoking
update-grub2.
- VESA-based graphical mode with background image support and complete 24-bit
color set.
- Support for extended charsets. Users can write UTF-8 text to their menu
entries.
This package contains a version of GRUB that has been built for use with
traditional PC/BIOS architecture.[/quote]
Having installed and run this application, it corrected the booting process to include the partially installed MS Windows 98, along with the installed Cosmosis-X.
I have now successfully rebooted into Cosmosis-X and will now have another try to install MS Windows 98 by booting into that installer with the new CD in the drive.
Installing MS Windows 98 Second Edition
My first attempts to install MS Windows 98, using a CD and the product code on the packet the CD was in, failed due to 'Product Key not valid' errors.
I then installed Linux but it did not recognise the partially installed, though bootable, partition. However, using grub-pc to make the main boot menu to use chainloader +1 with the boot information in the individual partitions, made the Windows partition visible and bootable once again.
A further attempt to install, using another CD and another Product Code that I had, has now succeeded.
There are problems with this installation, though, as the Winmodem does not have the requisite drivers and the Network card is not properly configured, so no Internet connection is possible. This may be a good thing as it would be a problem maintaining the security of the system if it was able to go on-line. I have set up a common FAT32 partition shatred by both Win98 and Cosmosis-X Linux, so any software that may be wanted for Win98 can be downloaded there using Linux to access the Internet. Other games, etc, may be loaded from CD, if desired.
It may well be that the Win98 installation will not be much needed or used, if the Linux does sufficiently what the owner wants the computer to do. Time will tell. For now, I am grateful that I can install Linux for free on this old computer and give it another lease of life for its new owner. The comparison between its functioning under Win98 and Cosmosis-X Linux is vastly in favour of Linux. Here is a modern, up-to-date operating system, secure and stable without any fussy maintenance, with a huge repository of free software available to meet just about any need and the performance is still quite credible for such an old machine. Quite a remarkable achievement for the Open Source teams, I feel.
Paul
Wednesday 24th September, 2008
Reinstallation of the Operating System
Downloading and installing Cosmosis-X32RC1
Due to a problem that occurred while trying to make the shared FAT32 partition automounting on boot-up that led to it being impossible to log in, I had to reinstall the Operating System. Cos was obliging enought to make a new version available so that there was some gain in this work.
Reinstalling the extra games
Clive worked with me in selecting and installing a number of games which will now need to be reinstalled. Fortunately I kept a record of the added games and will now be able to add them with debfoster. [See list above]
Debfoster Installed and Run
Initial Keepers List
clive@clive-desktop:/var/lib/debfoster$ cat keepers
apparmor-utils
catfish
command-not-found
debfoster
dnsutils
dosfstools
envyng-gtk
fdutils
friendly-recovery
ftp
gstreamer0.10-alsa
gstreamer0.10-gnomevfs
gstreamer0.10-x
hardinfo
inputattach
iputils-tracepath
konqueror
language-pack-en
libavahi-ui0
libboost-date-time1.34.1
libboost-filesystem1.34.1
libboost-python1.34.1
libboost-thread1.34.1
libcdio7
libdns32
libgda3-3
libgdl-gnome-1-0
libgtk-vnc-1.0-0
libshout3
libtrackerclient0
libxine1
libxine1-plugins
linux-generic
lshw
ltrace
memtest86+
metacity
mlocate
mozilla-mplayer
mtr-tiny
ndisgtk
ntfs-config
openssh-client Remove
opera Remove
parted Remove
pppconfig Remove
pppoeconf Remove
python-gdata Remove
python-pysqlite2 Remove
reiserfsprogs Remove
remastersys Remove
samba Remove
skype Remove
smplayer
strace
tcpdump
telnet
time
ttf-dejavu
ubuntu-minimal
ufw
w3m
xfce4-datetime-plugin
xfce4-goodies
xserver-xorg-input-all
xserver-xorg-video-all
xserver-xorg-video-amd
xubuntu-desktop
zsync
Revised debfoster keepers list
Commandline to copy and paste : --
debfoster atlantik gnome-games gnome-games-data kdelibs-data kdelibs4c2a launchpad-integration ttf-sil-andika ttf-sil-doulos tuxmath tuxtype tuxtype-data openssh-client- opera- parted- pppconfig- pppoeconf- python-gdata- python-pysqlite2- reiserfsprogs- remastersys- samba- skype-
Revised keepers list : --
root@clive-desktop:/var/lib/debfoster# cat keepers
apparmor-utils
atlantik
casper
catfish
command-not-found
debfoster
discover1
dnsutils
dosfstools
envyng-gtk
fdutils
friendly-recovery
ftp
gnome-games
gnome-games-data
gstreamer0.10-alsa
gstreamer0.10-gnomevfs
gstreamer0.10-x
hardinfo
inputattach
iputils-tracepath
kdelibs-data
kdelibs4c2a
konqueror
language-pack-en
launchpad-integration
libavahi-ui0
libboost-date-time1.34.1
libboost-filesystem1.34.1
libboost-python1.34.1
libboost-thread1.34.1
libcdio7
libdns32
libedit2
libgda3-3
libgdl-gnome-1-0
libgraphite3
libgtk-vnc-1.0-0
libshout3
libtrackerclient0
libxine1
libxine1-plugins
linux-generic
lshw
ltrace
memtest86+
metacity
mlocate
mozilla-mplayer
mtr-tiny
ndisgtk
ntfs-config
pango-graphite
rsync
smplayer
strace
tcpdump
telnet
time
ttf-dejavu
ttf-sil-andika
ttf-sil-doulos
tuxmath
tuxtype
tuxtype-data
tuxtype-data-nonfree
ubiquity
ubuntu-minimal
ufw
w3m
xfce4-datetime-plugin
xfce4-goodies
xserver-xorg-input-all
xserver-xorg-video-all
xserver-xorg-video-amd
xubuntu-desktop
zsync
-syslinux
root@clive-desktop:/var/lib/debfoster#
Note : I was going to remove syslinux but changed my mind as it is so small anyway.
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