[SOLVED] i686 Distro help

[Cheesepie]

Hi,
I got a i686 computer which I cannot find an i686 linux release anywhere.

On the unbuntu, debian download pages is only for the x68 types, does anyone know where I can download a i686 operating system, or any work-arounds?

Thanks,
-pie.

[jayd512]

I think you might be reading that wrong. All releases are valid for i686. If you look at their entries on Distrowatch, you'll see what I mean.
Most pages that list something as ix86 mean anything from the Pentium1 and up.

*EDIT*

Make that all releases are good for i686 unless specifically noted otherwise

[Cheesepie]

I just downloaded and made a unbutu server CD, when it comes to installing it gives an error of:

"This kernel requires an x86-64 CPU, but only detected an i686. Unable to boot - Please use a kernel appropriate for your CPU."

[jayd512]

Looks like you downloaded the 64-bit version. Is your CPU 64-bit? Or 32?

[Cheesepie]

I dont know what bit my cpu is, its a dell poweredge 2550 if that helps, I havn't been able to find the specs yet...

If I choose the 32 bit option (only other option on the download page) it says that the computer platform is i386, will this work?

[jayd512]

Yes, it will work. Looks like you have a Pentium 3 CPU, which is in the i686 family. Specs.

FYI, any time you see something like i386, it means anything from i386 or better.
And if you're new to Linux, are you aware that the Ubuntu Server Edition doesn't install a GUI by default? I just don't want you caught off-guard by it.

[reed9]

Yes, it will work. If it says i386, it will work for that and up, so i486, i586, and i686. This doesn't work in reverse, a distro compiled for i686 (such as Arch Linux) will not work on older processors.

You're processor is almost certainly not 64 bit, or the 64 bit version of Ubuntu would have worked.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_P...roarchitecture)

[Hal343]

To find if your Intel cpu is 64 bit:
less /proc/cpuinfo
look for lm flag, if its not there you have a 32 bit cpu.

[techieMoe]

http://www.linuxforums.org/forum/per...a64-em64t.html

[Cheesepie]

Yep, the 32 bit i386 disro download of ubuntu worked, thanks for the help.