Retrocomputing Stack Exchange
Retrocomputing Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [linux]

For questions regarding the operation of the Linux operating system on retrocomputers.

Linux is an open-source Unix-based operating system.

This tag is for questions regarding the installation, configuration or operation of any version of Linux on retrocomputers.

40 questions
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How did X talk to the video card before DRI/DRM?

The way I understand Linux history, in the early 2000s, Linux introduced the DRI/DRM mechanism and framebuffers, so userland can write to the graphics card directly. Before that, "console" linux was pure text-mode. How did xfree86 draw itself on…
retro
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8
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Since when are Linux drivers loaded as kernel modules?

I'm looking at a rather old Linux (v2.4) that has custom device drivers built into the kernel. Now I wonder since when that was done. I suppose it most be an old technique, was this the way device drivers were added to Linux already in version 1?
Niklas Rosencrantz
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6
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1 answer

SUSE package system before adopting RPM

RPM, or RedHat Package Manager, was developed by RedHat for their flavors of Linux, though it is now used also in SUSE flavors. What was the package system in SUSE predating the adoption of RPM, and what was the reason for the transition? Why was…
brainchild
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4
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What, if any, available older versions of Linux distributions does xroach gracefully run on?

I.e. how can I run xroach on a VM? A search on RC for xroach didn't turn anything up. xroach, as I remember it, ran under old versions of X and had a certain number of cockroaches on the root window which would run for cover if you closed, quickly…
Christos Hayward
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2
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Agetty Serial Modem

Hi I have a problem with Agetty, I have an old minitel 1200/75 baud terminal, I have tried different configurations to connect with a 56k modem in v23 bell mode, the server closes the connection maybe init chat modem problem? thank…
Francesco
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What is the best way to run Red Hat Linux 5.1 (the original version) with more than 640x480 with with 16 colors resolution?

So appearently there's a Red Hat Linux Enterprise 5.1 and I'd just like to make it clear that I'm not trying to install that. I'm trying to install the original Red Hat Linux 5.1 from 1998 in a virtual machine for use in a project. I tried…
ioi-xd
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What was the first Linux distribution?

I desire to know what was the very first Linux-kernel based operating system, what we can call today a "distribution" even if the term wasn't used then. The Wiki article doesn't give a clear answer, as of my understanding. This Wiki list of distros…
user13751
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3 answers

Was Hurd kernel created as a modification of Linux kernel?

As I know, shortly after Linus Torvalds liberated the Linux kernel it was implemented in GNU operating system which is since then known as GNU/Linux or GNU+Linux. From the GNU article in Wikipedia I understand the GNU OS kernel is Hurd. Was Hurd…
user13751