27th February 2006

Hi All

I have recently acquired an old IBM PC Server 325 (tower).
Basic configuration: Pentium Pro 200 (single)(Second
processor not installed), Integrated SCSI controller
(Adaptec), SCSI HDDs and SCSI CDROM, 3.5" FDD.

I've tried installing the following without success:
Red Hat Linux 8.0, Red Hat Linux 9, Red Hat Linux 5.2.

I'm interested to hear if anyone has managed to get a
linux distro up and running on this machine.

My aim is to use the system for testing SCSI devices
(ie HDDs, CDROMS, etc), as well as using the space
on its existing SCSI HDDs. So running an older distro
is not a problem.

All useful information welcome as usual

Chris

Try Gentoo or Slackware. Slackware is compiled for 80486 and Gentoo can be compiled for your Pentium Pro (80686).

Red Hat 9 and lower should install on your Pentium Pro just fine. I suggest running memtest86 to check the RAM. If a memory module is bad, ther are a few EDO memory (72 pin SIMM) going around. I suggest parity or registered memory. Also get a new power supply if you can.

Hi Electro

I checked the memory and it passes ok.

The problem lies in the face that the Red Hat
releases don't appear to recognise the SCSI
controller. It's an ADAPTEC 7880. Unfortunately it's
integrated, and there is no IDE controller on this
machine.

I'm really interested to hear of someone has actually
managed to perform a Linux install on this machine.

But thankyou for your suggestions all the same.

Regards

Chris

If the system has a floppy drive, you can put the Red Hat 9 version of ADAPTEC 7880 drivers on it. Then when it asks for SCSI devices, tell it to look for it on the floppy disk.

Hi

Yep done that. It hangs the system. ie no response.