Linux installation problem
 

I have an old intel processor ( i486 sx )

I got the error: No coprocessor found and no math emulation present.

I googled it but I dont understand what to do with the answer :

"" The short answer is "the kernel you used was optimized so that it required a math coprocessor to be present." A 486sx is a 486 with the math coprocessor removed (Intel marketing trick to make cpu's sell for less). You need to use a kernel that has coprocessor emulation. ""

This is my situation : I have an old computer; I knoe it has some version of windows ( 95 more than likely ) and it is not booting, but I put it the first cd of " anywipe linux " and it looked like it was gonna boot, but I got that error message.

What should I do, I cant get to the actual operating system installed on the old computer already !!! ???

Thanks

From the help for the math emulation in the kernel setup: Linux can emulate a math coprocessor (used for floating point │
│ operations) if you don't have one. 486DX and Pentium processors have │
│ a math coprocessor built in, 486SX and 386 do not, unless you added │
│ a 487DX or 387, respectively. (The messages during boot time can │
│ give you some hints here ["man dmesg"].) Everyone needs either a │
│ coprocessor or this emulation.


You need a kernel with the right enabled options: Math emulation under Processor Type and Features menuconfig.

But, just grab knoppix, since it has a math emulator in the 2.6 kernel. Not sure about 2.4. Just pass "knoppix26" at the bootline.

Thanks !!
 

Just one thing, if I get knoppix ( which I prolly will ) What does pass "knoppix26" at the boot line mean ??

Can u elaborate what that mean and what I have to do thanks

^_^

Are there any " mini " linux distributions that have the math emulation enabled ??

Thanks

Much Appreciated

knoppix26 boots knoppix with the 2.6 version kernel, while knoppix24, or just plain enter, boots with the 2.4 version kernel. Come to think of it, 2.4 should have the math emulation.

What are you up to, anyways?

I wouldn't get Knoppix, it's to bloated. If I were you I'd try Damn Small Linux. It's a Knoppix remaster that is light and runs on older hardware. For installing a distro you should try Slackware and use the Cholestrol free GUI, if a Gui will work at all

Thanks
 

Thanks u guys

Zuggy btw if u still got any more gmail invites I would love one

:D

Re: Thanks
 

I still have Gmail invites but I need to know your current e-mail address to send it to you.

yay !!
 

Johnnyae17@yahoo.com

Thanks alot !!