Newsgroups: comp.os.minix
From: Giovanni Falzoni <gfalzoni@pointest.com>
Subject: Re: Minix on a Goupil
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Nicolas Ecarnot wrote:
> 
> Hello,
> 
> I recently found a Goupil, a very old computer :
> 
> G4MON - 186 V2R2
> processor 186
> Memory size : 640k
> Hard disk : about 22M
> 5 1/4 floppy disk
> parallel et serial ports
> 
> I'd like to know if I can install Minix on this beast ?
> 
> I ask that because on http://www.cs.vu.nl/~ast/minix.html, I read :
> 
> To run the 16-bit version, 640K is the minimum. To run the 32-bit version,
> 2MB is the minimum. To run comfortably, another 512K is needed.
> 
> A hard disk is not technically required, but is strongly recommended to
> take full advantage of the system. To load all the sources and be able to
> recompile the system, 30 MB is the practical minimum but with a 20 MB disk
> partition, you can still run and compile parts of the system.
> 
> But on the man page, I read :
> 
>  The minimum system Minix can be installed on comfortably is an IBM  PC/AT
> or PS/2 with a 286 processor, 2 Mb memory, a 720 kb diskette drive, and 30
> Mb free space on an AT, ESDI, or SCSI hard disk (the latter controlled by
> an Adaptec  1540.)
> 
> These are requirement differences !
> 
> So if anyone knows if I could do that, please tell me.
> I guess it's not worth getting into troubles for nothing ;-)
> 
> Thank you.
> 
> Nicolas Ecarnot

You should be able to run Minix on 640Kb memory, but,
unless your box can run a standard MS-DOS, I think that 
You will have to heavily modify the kernel.

The processor 186 does not have the standard peripherals 
as the 8086 and 80386 (e.g. interrupt controller and timers)

If You are willing to do the job it will be a lot of fun
to make it work, but You will need another box where to 
boot standard Minix and where develop the new kernel.

Good luck.
Giovanni

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