can ReiserFS on / mix with 2.4 kernels on a 386?

linuxhippy · 07-11-2006, 06:10 PM

I have an old pc that is running low on memory and I would like to see if a kernel 2.4.32 compiled for an i386 would help me. I compiled the kernel but it won't boot now...complains on reboot that it cannot find my / on an ext2 partition (the .config shows that Reiser is built in). My / is on a ReiserFS. Can the 2.4 kernels compiled for a 386 work with the ReiserFS?

MS3FGX · 07-12-2006, 02:17 AM

I don't see why it wouldn't work, but I can't say I have ever tried.

Daga · 07-12-2006, 02:30 AM

Yes. And so should ext2/3 if you compiled them in.

pxumsgdxpcvjm · 07-12-2006, 02:35 AM

Did you create a initial ramdisk? You need one for Reiserfs. Run the command:

$ mkinitrd -c -k 2.4.32 -m reiserfs

It'll create a /boot/initrd.gz file. You then need to edit /etc/fstab ("joe /etc/fstab") and add the following line under the section for your kernel:

$ initrd = /boot/initrd.gz

Save (Control + K + X). Then run lilo:

$ lilo

It should update successfully. If you get an error message make sure you didn't type something incorrectly. After a successful update then reboot.

davidsrsb · 07-12-2006, 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pxumsgdxpcvjm

Did you create a initial ramdisk? You need one for Reiserfs.

I don't think this is right.
Pat compiled reiserfs (not a module!)into the stock 2.4.32 series and I have installed this kernel on machines with only a single / partition, formatted with reiserfs3.
The mkinitrd ramdisk is necesary for the 2.6.22 kernel in testing as reiserfs is a module.

pxumsgdxpcvjm · 07-12-2006, 04:58 AM

It don't sound like he is using Pat's kernel.

linuxhippy · 07-12-2006, 05:15 AM

You're both right-I'm using Pat's config for the 2.4.31 and building my own 2.4.32 kernel with CPU changed to 386. I tried the initrd command and got an error about Reiser module not found. Perhaps I should recompile the kernel and pick Reiser as a module and then try the initrd command?

EDIT: also, I noticed that most of the packages in Slack 10.2 are compiled for a 486-would that effect the boot of a 386 kernel?

pxumsgdxpcvjm · 07-12-2006, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linuxhippy

EDIT: also, I noticed that most of the packages in Slack 10.2 are compiled for a 486-would that effect the boot of a 386 kernel?

Seems we forgot that detail. You're gonna have to use an older version of Slackware. 386 was dropped in 9.1.

My solution assumed that you were getting a VFS syncing error. Since you have reiser built-in then that shouldn't be exact issue.

linuxhippy · 07-12-2006, 06:45 AM

could I just rebuild certain packages in Slack 10.2 for a 386? If so, which ones?

nykey · 07-12-2006, 06:54 AM

I think that would mean building most of the packages again. Cause mainly all are built for i486 or higher arch. What you should do, like davidsrsb said is try a lower version of Slack where packages wore built for i386, or you can try rebuilding the packages from a series for i386, maybe the first ones would be e2fsprogs and reiserfsprogs !? Your choice.

linuxhippy · 07-12-2006, 08:12 PM

I think I should just try to add some SDRAM to my server...it has 1 open bay but the mobo is 9 years old (1997) and I don't know how much RAM it can take. It has 128 MB RAM, 200 MHz CPU Pentium in a Gateway 2000 box. I couldn't find any info on it on the web.

Daga · 07-13-2006, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linuxhippy

I think I should just try to add some SDRAM to my server...it has 1 open bay but the mobo is 9 years old (1997) and I don't know how much RAM it can take. It has 128 MB RAM, 200 MHz CPU Pentium in a Gateway 2000 box. I couldn't find any info on it on the web.

I _could_ be wrong, but I'm pretty sure were talking about an i486 here... 200 Mhz?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_80486

Voltar · 07-13-2006, 01:27 AM

The original Pentium processors were i586 afaik. I've installed Slack 10.2 on a fair amount of old machines for testing, the oldest was a 233 Mhz Pentium (Can't remember if it was a I/II or Pro).

Edit: Also thought I'd add that I use ReiserFS for all my file systems and I use a 2.6.16.20 kernel that I compiled myself. ReiserFS is built into the kernel and I never make a ramdisk.

davidsrsb · 07-13-2006, 03:18 AM

A P1 200 (- MMX ISTR) is a 586 and all of the standard Slackware packages should be fine.
In particular the 2.4.32 bare.i kernel and modules in "current" should boot without any modifications.
Try burning a memtest86 iso file onto a cd (or an Ubuntu install disc memtest) to check that your hardware is OK.

linuxhippy · 07-13-2006, 05:31 AM

thanks for all the info. My current setup of a 486 kernel on a P1 works fine....I just don't like how most of my memory is being used according to top. I was told that a 386 kernel would use less memory. I do have a memtest program on a live system rescue cd that I'll use to see if alls ok if I put in another RAM chip.

Could I mess up my pc permanently if I put in too much RAM?