Running AntiX 20, or any modern Linux, under Virtual PC 4.0.

[Member IoI_xD]

Hi! I’ll start by apologizing, I really don’t know whether this should go in the software or hardware section. Feel free to move this.

On my neverending quest to get a modern web browser (and maybe even SFTP, which is arguably more important since it would be the best and safest option of getting files onto an old OS) working on Windows 98, I’ve looked into virtualizing Linux under the OS; some may consider this cheating and question why I don’t just put Anti-X on the real hardware, and to that I don’t have a good response, other then “because why not?” (and I’ll take anything to get a modern web browser working on this, as the newest you can get suffers from graphical glitches and slowdown. Even getting a slightly outdated browser working is better then what I, and other friends who like screwing around with Windows 98, have currently).

I got Anti-X running under QEMU previously, but it run horrifically slow as the oldest version that you can get working on Windows 98 (using KernelEx, a software for getting a select few Windows XP programs running under 98) was barely designed for Windows. So I’ve looked into VirtualPC 4.0, a program that natively works under win98, and I’ve tried to get AntiX 20 working under it. I’m actually able to boot the antiX ISO, and by putting acpi=off into the kernel parameters I can get it to start without an error about no ACPI. However, soon afterwards I get a kernel panic, and cannot continue. The kernel panic is preceeded by…

dmi: Firmware registration failed.
01:01 invalid checksum 0xa8
invalid opcode: 0000 [#1] SMP
Modules linked in:
. . .

I can’t copy paste the log since it’s in a virtual machine, and the log isn’t stored anywhere since it’s a live iso, and I don’t want to type out the entire thing for fear of typos, so I’ll simply put a screenshot here for the whole thing. Sorry.

I’d like to get AntiX running because of the promise of this running under a Pentium 2 with 128MB ram; my hobbyist windows 98 pc has a Celeron D with 512MB ram, and while you can hack 98 to get up to 3GB ram, I don’t actually have that much and I don’t think my motherboard even supports it. But honestly, if there is any virtualization software that might work under Windows 98 and can run any relatively modern Linux at a good speed, I will take it.

That said, after trying all the alternate options in the boot menu, I’m out of options. What boot parameters can I try to get this running?

Best regards, IoI_xD

• This topic was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by IoI_xD.
• This topic was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by IoI_xD.
• This topic was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by christophe.

[Moderator christophe]

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Hi lol_xD.

I never would have thought virtualization was possible with a Windows 98 host!

I think this looks fun.
But unfortunately, I have no help for you. I’m surprised by what you’ve done so far.

Old tech is always fun to play with. Some nostalgia there. 🙂 I wish you well in this.
Feel free to tell us if you get any further.

EDIT: I assume you mean antiX-21, since the previous version was 19.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by christophe.

confirmed antiX frugaler, since 2019

[Moderator caprea]

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You didn’t tell how you boot the antiX iso, but possibly it would make sense to downgrade the kernel to the 4.4 kernel on the iso before.

[Moderator christophe]

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the promise of this running under a Pentium 2 with 128MB ram

my neverending quest to get a modern web browser

I don’t think both of these things can happen together.

Perhaps try virtualizing the antiX core (no X) version first. If that works, you could add X & a browser (palemoon-nonsse2 comes to mind, which I’m using right now). Perhaps that would work – less stuff starting may mean less chance of something going wrong…

Also, give the VM the most RAM you can.

confirmed antiX frugaler, since 2019

[Member seaken64]

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What do you want to do with a “modern browser”?

I have had more success with dual booting W98 and antiX. (By the way, it’s antiX, not Anti-X. And there is no antiX-20, there is an antiX-21)

On antiX I have had good success with SeaMonkey, Palemoon, and Otter-Browser. Also Links2 and Netsurf. In all cases I turn off Javascript.

“Modern” browsers on a Pentium 2 is just not practical. I have tried a lot but the modern web has moved on to newer protocols that eat up the CPU cycles. But you CAN browse the internet – just not in the “modern” paradigm. Links, Links2 and Lynx are probably the most useful on Windows 98. Or an old Opera version. But with low expectations. Some predominately text sites, like Wiikipedia, are now expecting HTTPS and higher security protocols that many old browsers cannot support.

Your best bet is antiX but I doubt that you’ll get a reasonable experience in a VM, unless you stay with text/console and the frame buffer.

Have you looked at FreeDOS? Not sure if it will be any better on a Pentium 2. They do support some DOS based browsers but may not work any better on a P2 than an antiX setup. I’ve used it on some Core2Duo machines but have not tried it on an Pentium-II or III. It also isn’t Windows 98, and may not be as easy as antiX to dual boot.

Seaken64

[Member marcelocripe]

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Hello IoI_xD,

Welcome to antiX Linux and the forum.

I don’t know how to write in English and I send my texts translated by the internet translator.

Regardless of your level of knowledge about GNU/Linux, I recommend you read these excellent tutorials created by @PPC:

Short essential how-to list for the complete Linux newbie and How-to install applications – 2020 version.

You didn’t tell how you boot the antiX iso, but possibly it would make sense to downgrade the kernel to the 4.4 kernel on the iso before.

As suggested by Caprea, you can try using an ISO with a 4.4.0-264 kernel pseudo-antix-19 legacy bet3 (32 bits) which was built by Xecure. For more information, read the topic page How to use antiX on computers with a motherboard with SIS or VIA chipset. I’ve been reviving old computers with antiX since June 2020, but it’s Pentium 4, Celeron or others from this generation onwards. These computers struggle to surf the internet, even though they have 1 GB of DDR technology RAM or more. So, if you can revive your Pentium 2 with only 128MB of RAM memory with antiX, think of a non-internet use, maybe you can use it to produce text and play MS-DOS games with the available DOSBox emulator in the ISO I mentioned. The Mini-Fluxbox or Mini-JWM desktop may be the better choice due to the low amount of RAM memory available. And finally, try to use application programs that are in text mode or CLI.

The topic antiX the best operating system for my P-III can help you.

When you start any topic or participate with any post, remember to check the option “Notify me of follow-up replies via email”, by checking this option you will receive a message in your email inbox whenever there are replies to the topic in question.

marcelocripe
(Original text in Brazilian Portuguese language)

– – – – –

Olá IoI_xD,

Seja bem-vindo(a) ao antiX Linux e ao fórum.

Eu não sei escrever em idioma Inglês e envio os meus textos traduzidos pelo tradutor da internet.

Independentemente do seu nível de conhecimento sobre GNU/Linux, eu recomendo você ler estes excelentes tutoriais criados pelo @PPC:

Short essential how-to list for the complete Linux newbie e How-to install applications – 2020 version.

You didn’t tell how you boot the antiX iso, but possibly it would make sense to downgrade the kernel to the 4.4 kernel on the iso before.

Conforme foi sugerido pelo Caprea, você pode tentar utilizar uma ISO com kernel 4.4.0-264 pseudo-antix-19 legacy bet3 (32 bits) que foi construída pelo Xecure. Para você obter mais informações, leia a página do tópico How to use antiX on computers with a motherboard with SIS or VIA chipset. Eu venho revivendo computadores antigos com o antiX desde junho de 2020, mas são Pentium 4, Celeron ou outros a partir desta geração. Estes computadores sofrem para navegar na internet, mesmo possuindo 1 GB de memória RAM de tecnologia DDR ou mais. Então, se você conseguir reviver o seu Pentium 2 com apenas 128 MB de memória RAM com o antiX, pense em um uso que não seja à internet, talvez você possa usar para produzir textos e jogar jogos do MS-DOS com o emulador DOSBox disponível na ISO que eu mencionei. A área de trabalho Mini-Fluxbox ou Mini-JWM podem ser as melhores opções devido a baixa quantidade de memória RAM disponível. E por último, tente utilizar os programas aplicativos que sejam em modo texto ou CLI.

O tópico antiX the best operating system for my P-III poderá te ajudar.

Quando você iniciar algum tópico ou participar com alguma postagem, lembre-se de marcar a opção “Notify me of follow-up replies via email”, marcando esta opção, você receberá uma mensagem na sua caixa de e-mail sempre que houver respostas do tópico em questão.

marcelocripe
(Texto original em idioma Português do Brasil)

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