Linux.com

What is Linux?

Learn about Linux

Feeds

Special Offers

Forums: New to Linux - Linux on an old computer

Previous Topic | Next Topic

Print this topic | You are not subscribed

Forum Index » Forums » New to Linux

Author	Message
coolprogram Joined: Apr 13, 2008 Posts: 1 Other Topics	Posted Apr 13, 2008 at 4:21:24 AM Subject: Linux on an old computer Hey guys, I have an old computer, that I would like to run linux on... I am not to familiar with the computer because I am doing this for a friend, from what I can see, it is a Dell. When I turn on the computer I see: Phoenix 80486 ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.01 A01. Copyright 1985-1988 Phoenix Technologies Inc. Copyright 1990-1993 Dell Computer Corporation All Rights Reserved. CL-GD540x/542x VGA BIOS Version 1.20 Copyright 1992-1993 Cirrus Logic, INC Copyright 1987-1990 Quadtel Corp. All Rights Reserved Dell System 433s Keyboard Failure (Probably cuz I don't have my keyboard plugged in.) 640K Base, 07424K Extended Memory Invalid Configuration information - please run SETUP Program Diskette drive 0 seek failure Time-of-day not set - Please Run SETUP program Strike F1 key to Continue, F2 to run the setup utility. HERE ARE SOME SCREENSHOTS: [IMG]http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/6748/pict0022bw5.th.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/7010/pict0021km8.th.jpg[/IMG] Copy and paste this link: [IMG]http://img153.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pict0014io1.jpg[/IMG] thnx in advance -CP
Back to top
tophandcwby Joined Apr 10, 2008 Posts: 81 Other Topics	Posted: Apr 13, 2008 12:59:04 PM Subject: Linux on an old computer I don't see a specific question here, but if I was working on this computer I would suspect that the cmos battery was dead. Try measuring the battery with a voltmeter if you have one. If not, set the time and then turn off the computer, turn it back on, then see if it continued to hold the time. I can't remember about the 486 machines, but a lot of old computers couldn't auto detect their hard drives, and the info had to be entered manually. If that is the case with this machine, once you have the cmos memory working, you'll need to re-enter the hard drive info if you have it.
Back to top
proopnarine Joined Apr 03, 2008 Posts: 590 Location:San Francisco Other Topics	Posted: Apr 14, 2008 3:44:04 AM Subject: Linux on an old computer Yes, the CMOS battery is definitely dead. You'll need to have at least the hard drive specs. on hand, though the BIOS will auto-detect them if you're lucky. Take the red pill Climate Change Blog Food Weblog
Back to top

Forum Index » Forums » New to Linux

Tableless layout

Validate XHTML 1.0 Strict

Powered by Xaraya