graham salkin wrote:
> Solaris 7 is the last supported solaris release on an IPC. However, you
> should be prepared to not use X, and fully load it with whatever memory
> you have.
>
> I have found better performance with the BSDs, NetBSD and OpenBSD seem
> to work acceptably.
>
> I gave up using the CD, and netinstalled them.
> Using CD-R's in a CD-rom drive of the sort of age suitable to work with
> a computer that old is a tricky experience. it may work, but dont count
> on it.
>
> You *can* install linux, but on an IPC, i dont recommend it. It works
> fine on the more powerful boxes, but on a 25Mhz SPARC I, it seems even
> slower than Solaris 7.
>
> If you are going to try linux, try Debian Woody. Its the only one I have
> found which seems to install relatively cleanly. Even Sarge seems to
> have problems.

If you're trying older Linux releases, watch out for the crippling
memory management bug on the sun4c. It makes the system useless, you'll
need a kernel with that fixed. ISTR I hit this problem with Debian 2.2.


>
> Forget SunOS unless your doing the antique computer thing. its very slow.

Actually SunOS 4 isn't slow at all on the class of machine we're
talking about -- it's feels similar to, or even faster in general than
the more recent releases of NetBSD. It's a nice unbloated BSD.

>
> Of course a much better solution would be put in an 8 bit framebuffer
> and use it as an X terminal to a bigger computer.
> SLXT runs like a charm on these old boxes, and an IPC is even looks
> compact on the desk.