Question Regarding Downloaded ISO's

MexDeath · n00b Joined: 22 Aug 2009 Posts: 3 Location: Dallas, TX

My question is simple:

I am interested in Gentoo, now, to install it I need to download a specific version according to my CPU, or so it appears to be. Good, we're up to date on that... so, when I look at the list of Distributions, for the amd64 2008.0 Live CD, I get several options, as follows:

NeddySeagoon · Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2009 11:48 pm Post subject:

MexDeath,

Don't use any of them. The livecd-amd64-installer-2008.0.ISO is broken. It does not install grub. Thats the boot loader, so you box won't boot if you use that. livecd-amd64-installer-2008.0-r1.ISO fixes that ... but it provides you with an install based on Gentoo as it was in February 2008. Its a challenge to update to todays Gentoo. Don't use that either.

Follow the Gentoo Handbook and use either SystemRescueCD if you would like a GUI while you install or one of the Gentoo weekly autobuilds
Get an amd64 one for a 64 bit install.

Installing this way gives you todays Gentoo
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NeddySeagoon

Computer users fall into two groups:-
those that do backups
those that have never had a hard drive fail.

MexDeath · n00b Joined: 22 Aug 2009 Posts: 3 Location: Dallas, TX

cach0rr0 · Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2009 4:54 am Post subject:

So...is there any reason not to run gentoo in a VM on your new box?

I mean if you're doing kernel work that depends on specific hardware, your 1998 box isn't bloody likely to have any even remotely similar hardware to your new box (or at least, dear sweet jesus I hope not), so research done on that won't translate over to your new box, right?

Well with that given, since we can assume your kernel work doesn't depend on hardware, there shouldn't be any reason not to just run it in a VM on the new box.

With 32MB RAM, and a 4GB HDD, no way will compilations complete in a sane amount of time on that box. In fact depending on the arch, it may not build full stop.
Hell, if the box is ancient enough hardware, you may not even be able to boot from a CD, and might be stuck loading crap onto it with floppy disks (which, to be fair, I would find hilarious)

Further to that, in the event you manage to get a CD to boot, it might well be the case that hardware is so old, you're precluded from running anything but a 2.4 (or maybe even 2.2) kernel - which, if your purpose is research, may or may not translate terribly well on new hardware.

In short, go for a VM.
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MexDeath · n00b Joined: 22 Aug 2009 Posts: 3 Location: Dallas, TX

NeddySeagoon · Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 8:43 pm Post subject:

MexDeath,

Make some space on your new Pc and set up a dual boot sytem.
gcc-4 needs at least 64Mb RAM and you will find installing onto a 4G drive possible but Xorg will be a squeeze.

If you still want to go ahead. Remove the hdd from the old PC and install it it your newer one.
Now install gentoo on that drive but target it for the old PC.
Your install is done with the speed and RAM of the new PC.

When its installed, move the drive back to the old PC.
_________________
Regards,

NeddySeagoon

Computer users fall into two groups:-
those that do backups
those that have never had a hard drive fail.