Elks Distribution Edition (EDE) - Update

Elks Distribution Edition (EDE) - Update

[Neil Holmes]

I have put my latest "Dev" version up on the ftp site this morning. This can
be accessed through my EDE web site :-

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/neiluk/elks-distro/

The reason for my posting this is that it represents a significant step
forwards from the previous stable version.

Features of Latest EDE Dev Version
==================================
- Implements Pascals Bootkit
- Will allow Dos and ELKS multi-boot
- Will allow ELKS to be installed anywhere on disk one (bda)

I have had to go back to 2 install floppy disks for now (Image2 and Image3
in the EDE.zip download). This is because I need to carry 4 boot images to
allow for root locations of bda1 through to bda4. The usual dd methods apply
for converting the image files to floppy disks. Image2 represents the main
install disk. Image3 is a stripped down version of Image2 that installs
kernel only.

PLEASE NOTE : the reboot message at the end of install disk 1 tells you to
remove any floppies when it completes. Leave floppy 2 in the drive and
reboot. This is only temporary.

PLEASE NOTE : this is a development version and care should be taken with
its use. Don't use it on a system that you don't want to trash !

This version of EDE works in DOSEMU too. Though reboot does not work in
dosemu so you will need to "dos -A" with disk 2 in the drive to complete
install.

I haven't tried it in BOCHS but I think it would be ok.

I have 2 test systems

The first is a 486 configured as follows :-

bda1 = type 6 (DOS)
bda2 = type 80 (Elks)
bda3 = type 83 (Linux Native)
bda4 = type 82 (Linux Swap)

The install will try and set up a menu option for Linux in Bootkit. This
option does not seem to work as yet. Not sure why. (Any ideas Pascal ?) I
have wrapped lilo around the above configuration so I only get my bootkit
menu when I select elks from lilo.

The second is a 286 configured as follows :-

bda1 = type 6 (DOS)
bda2 = type 80 (ELKS)

This install worked perfectly. The system boots into Bootkit and I am able
to successfully select either DOS or ELKS.

EDE Issues
==========
- umount won't work at the end of the install shell (it says disk busy even
though I don't think it is)
- knl is required so that I can go back to one floppy
- only installs to bda
- 0.1.0 fdisk/mkfs required so install disk can be latest kernel
- still requires a dos fdisk prior to commence install
- partype appears to fail sometimes. I have a couple of "bogus" partype
checks that catch the errors before I run the partype that I need.

I would be very greatful of some feedback on this.

Many Thanks

Have fun

Neil

Elks testing

[Dan Olson]

Hi,
	I really have no idea why this has taken me so long, but I finally
downloaded the latest ELKS disk images and made a floppy and booted up my
XT.  First off, I found something interesting.  I have a high density
controller with it's own BIOS, as well as a SCSI controller, which seemed
to give me trouble when I left off last time.  Well, I was able to boot
without the SCSI card installed, no problem.  Then I install the
controller, and ELKS still finds my hard drive and my floppy drive type,
but it can no longer autoprobe the floppy type.  Of course booting from
floppy, I know that it still functions.  Maybe a BIOS conflict of some
sort?
	Anyway, with ELKS running, I had to pause for a minute and ask
myself why I hadn't been using it before now!  Everything looks great, the
only problem...I don't have any ELKS software!  I remember mention of a
terminal emulator, is that still around somewhere?  I'll dig around and
see what I can find, but if someone knows, that would be great.  I guess I
still need a serial card anyway, but ideally I'll use the system for
e-mail reading if nothing else!

	Dan

Re: Elks testing

[Pat Gilliland]

I have had good results Jacek Lipkowski's st terminal emulator:

http://acid.ch.pw.edu.pl/~sq5bpf/elks/

Dan Olson wrote:

<snip>

>         Anyway, with ELKS running, I had to pause for a minute and ask
> myself why I hadn't been using it before now!  Everything looks great, the
> only problem...I don't have any ELKS software!  I remember mention of a
> terminal emulator, is that still around somewhere?  I'll dig around and
> see what I can find, but if someone knows, that would be great.  I guess I
> still need a serial card anyway, but ideally I'll use the system for
> e-mail reading if nothing else!
> 
>         Dan
>

Re: Elks testing

[Richard Wallman]

I've been working on a shell to add to the source (there's something
wrong with the sash license, wasn't there?) and also a
compress/decompress program (first part of a system installer).

Perhaps a separate TODO: for applications should be created?

ELKS would *really* become useful when it has full Ethernet support -
the use of an old computer as a router/firewall would make ELKS very
popular. There's already a HTTP server, and if there's socket support
then an SMTP server and POP3 server would be next.

I'm going to be getting an SSD for my Psion 3c soon, so I'll
(hopefully) be able help with the SIBO port as well. :)
-- 
Richard Wallman
http://www.murkygoth.uklinux.net/elks

Re: Elks testing

[Dan Olson]

Sounds like a great idea.  For the time being, I'm going to use ELKS as a
terminal I think, but I would love support for a 3C503 (or another adaptor
if nobody wants to use a 3com card).  I'm sure there are odd Linux things
I'm used to having that would be handy too, as I think of them, I'll make
a list.

	Dan

> I've been working on a shell to add to the source (there's something
> wrong with the sash license, wasn't there?) and also a
> compress/decompress program (first part of a system installer).
>
> Perhaps a separate TODO: for applications should be created?
>
> ELKS would *really* become useful when it has full Ethernet support -
> the use of an old computer as a router/firewall would make ELKS very
> popular. There's already a HTTP server, and if there's socket support
> then an SMTP server and POP3 server would be next.
>
> I'm going to be getting an SSD for my Psion 3c soon, so I'll
> (hopefully) be able help with the SIBO port as well. :)
> --
> Richard Wallman
> http://www.murkygoth.uklinux.net/elks
>
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