I have been using linux 2.0.0 for quite some times. I have had a major
problem with TI 486DLC33 CPU with 8MB of RAM which always locked up after
a few minutes of operation without any notifications. No error logs in
messages or syslog file. First, I thought it was a heat problem so I added
another fan just for CPU, but nothing got better. Then I added another
16MB of RAM to the system, still it locked up very often.
Anyone ever had the same problem with me? I think if I force the kernel to
use 386 mode for the DLC may help the lockup situations since the DLC
cpu's are more like 386DX than real 486. But for the DX4, I have no idea.
How can I force the kernel to detect my DLC to be 386? I tried compile it
with the 386 option but the system still reports 486 class CPU anyway.
I came to another solution, I switched the main board to an AMD 486DX4-100
and it worked out fine, no more locking up... But the speed is so
ssslllooowww... It took the whole night to recompile the kernel. Even
though it works okay with DOS and Win95. My own identicle mainboard at
home can compile it within an hour.
FYI, I am planning to use this machine as a modem server so I can free
some load from my main server. I think even 386 can do the work very well.
I installed the linux from Slackware 96 distribution. No success could be
done to recompile the kernel on DLC but it was OK on DX4. In fact, I have
plenty of DLC mainboards floating around because people changed their
board to Pentium ones so they don't look at it any longer. Please don't
suggest me to buy a new mainboard, it is not an option...
Thank you for your time, in advanced,
Pong Songpongs,
SysAdmin with low budget network :)