From: Mark Chace (markcha@microsoft.com)
Date: 06/30/93


From: markcha@microsoft.com (Mark Chace)
Subject: Re: Worst possible 386 setup
Date: 01 Jul 1993 02:22:21 GMT

In article <1993Jun29.223633.33944@rchland.ibm.com> jdahl@rchland.vnet.ibm.com (Jared Dahl) writes:
>
>What would be the worst possible setup that I could get
>away with on a 386 system and still run Linux, with regards
>to:
>HD Type:
        Any (MFM, RLL, IDE, SCSI, ESDI)
>HD space:
        Depends on what you want to do. Guess you could do some real
        work in 30 megs.
>Memory:
        Bare minimum: 2 Meg (4 Meg for X support)
>Video:
        Monochrome card and monitor (no X support)
        Standard VGA and monitor (for X support)
>Floppies:
        Yes. At least one floppy drive so you can install/boot
        without using hard disk. Should be high density (5 1/4 or 3 1/2)
>Math Coprocessor:
        Not needed
>Ports:
        Only what is needed for printers, modems, mice, etc.
>Mouse:
        Only needed for X. Cheapest 3 button COM mouse.

>Also, what would you recommend?
>HD Type:
        IDE drive (SCSI is second choice, but probably more expensive).
>HD space:
        80 to 100 megs. This would be a comfortable range for what I
        use Linux for.
>Memory:
        8 Meg.
>Video:
        If not running X : Standard VGA
        If running X : As good as you can afford. I would lean to
        a video card with an ET4000 chip on it.
>Floppies:
        3 1/2 High Density
>Math Coprocessor:
        No, unless you do a lot of numerical calculations (i.e. CAD, etc).
>Ports:
        Whatever is needed. If you are going to be using a modem at
        relatively high speeds (9600+), I would suggest a com port
        with a 16550A chip.
>Mouse:
        I believe logitec is the most common supported 3 button mouse.

>Would it be possible to set this machine up as an Internet
>Node.

Yes. The first thing you need is a way to connect to the Internet, either
through a network card or through SLIP (serial line). Then, the apropriate
hardware. I am no expert, someone else could help you better here.

Mark