Kernel Panic: Installation of Slack 8.1 on 8mb RAM PC

donbellioni · 07-21-2004, 11:03 AM

Im trying to install slackware on a 9yr old pc, with 100MHZ processor 8MB ram and 1200MB hard drive.

Im using slack 8.1 as i figured this would be better for an older PC than the current version (please correct me if im wrong).

I get to the point where im being prompted to insert root disk #5, i press enter and a few seconds later i get:

Code:

Loading disk #5... <0>Kernel panic: Out of memory and no killable processes...

..then the system hangs.

How can i get around this? I created a 66mb swap partition with the partition magic bootable floppies, but do i have to activate it or tell the system theres a swap partition at the initial boot prompt?

Never installed linux on such an old machine before, any suggestions are very welcome!

Thanks.

gnashley · 07-21-2004, 02:06 PM

Slackware setup will create a 16MB RAMDISK so you can't install that way unless you use the 'lowmem' bootdisk and method.
Try installing AmigoLinux as a better way to start your Slackware system.
www.amigolinux.org

donbellioni · 07-21-2004, 02:58 PM

Sorry, forgot to mention i was using the lowmem.i image, still failed tho.

Anyway, i got it solved in a very round about way, this page describes how to install from ms-dos.

http://public.planetmirror.com/pub/b...x/slack81.html

Cheers.

WMD · 07-21-2004, 04:30 PM

Try ZipSlack.

bughead1 · 07-22-2004, 09:48 AM

Unless it is a laptop, I prefer to use the latest release even on these old machines. Slackware 10 runs fine with 8 MB RAM, even if it won't install.

Just pop the hard drive out and temporarily connect it to a machine that meets the minimum hardware requirements for installation. Perform the installation and then move the hard drive back to the low memory box.

Having said that, a machine with only 8 MB RAM isn't really suited for desktop work unless you intend to either:

A. Use it as a CLI only workstation, or;

B. Configure it as an X terminal that connects to another, more powerful machine via ethernet, and that executes all the applications.

However, even with only 8 MB RAM, a 100 MHz box can perform many useful server roles in a home or small business ennvironment. And when you want to add packages, you'll be glad you installed the latest version of Slackware, because that's what most of the latest Slackpacks are built for.