Tiny Core Linux

Tiny Core Base => TCB Talk => Topic started by: strafford on August 12, 2009, 05:23:04 PM

Title: Possible to boot on on machine with no FPU?
Post by: strafford on August 12, 2009, 05:23:04 PM

Hi

I have a small SBC with no FPU.  Is it possible (perhaps with some boot parameter) to boot Tiny Core (I have tried 2.2 and if failed stating there is no fpu).

I know that Debian 4.0 can w/ option pnpbios=off but...

Regards,
Scott

Title: Re: Possible to boot on on machine with no FPU?
Post by: danielibarnes on August 12, 2009, 06:10:48 PM

There is a "no387" boot parameter:
http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/people/gregkh/lkn/lkn_pdf/ch09.pdf

Title: Re: Possible to boot on on machine with no FPU?
Post by: curaga on August 15, 2009, 02:13:48 PM

That option was disabled, because practically all hardware has a FPU nowadays, and enabling it would enlarge the kernel unnecessarily.

Thus you would need to recompile the kernel.

Title: Re: Possible to boot on on machine with no FPU?
Post by: danielibarnes on August 17, 2009, 12:27:35 PM

Yeah, I figured that out once I took the time to test it. However, recompiling the kernel is a small cost to get a working system, especially if such a small change is all it will take.