operating systems - test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

31 Dec 1997

Finally something that I KNOW about!  The XT won't use Linux, that's only
for 386 & higher processors.  The XT came with a 4.77MHz 8088, but it's not
hard to find a 8MHz version.  You've got to consider that you've ususally
got less than 512K of workable RAM.  Depending on what kind of HDD you have
(the XT came with a 10MB, but the XT's lasted so long that I found mine with
a 42, another reason that you can't run Linux, it requires 40MB minimum) and
monitor (the XT came with a mono, but many have CGA EGA and I've even found
a VGA) you can run Windows, up to 3.1.  You can also run OS/2 (earlier
versions) and many of the smaller OSes made during the early 80's.  Software
is EASY to find for 'em, they'll run most of the software I've seen that was
made up to 88-89 or so.  Many of the programs that are found on the
"Ultimate Collections of xxxx Shareware", or stuff like that, mostly old DOS
programs will run on the XT.
    So, Linux isn't possible, DOS isn't what you want, so get OS/2 or
Windows.  Also, try to use the best monitor that you can find, as they can
pretty much run what a 286 can.  Try to find as much RAM as possible.
    Hope that this helps,

Tim D. Hotze
-----Original Message-----
From: SUPRDAVE &lt;SUPRDAVE(a)aol.com&gt;
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
&lt;classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu&gt;
Date: Wednesday, December 31, 1997 7:58 PM
Subject: Re: operating systems

...
 In a message dated 97-12-31 10:36:45 EST, you write:

<< K, let's say I have a stock IBM PC XT. What can I put on it except DOS?
 >  yes, minix would work, but i dont
think it's free. there's something called
...
 ELKS which is under development, but you need to have a
working linux box or
...
 similar to download the images and create them for use
on the xt. seems that
...
 720k drives on the xt were recommended as well. for
more info, goto
www.uk.linux.org (i think)

david 