MINIX 3.1.0 (Book Version) made my laptop MINIX only XD

Jeremy Harden

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Jan 8, 2021, 11:41:02 AM1/8/21

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Just as the subject said, I somehow made the boot only read MINIX OS as the OS due I used the boot install used with MINIX 3.1.0. It will boot into MINIX 3.4.0 fine, even in live version it boots and the keyboard works great. HOWEVER, dot comma, if I boot a Linux live or even install, the keyboard no longer works on the laptop, but the mousepad works fine. The work around is using the USB keyboard, but that is not a fun promise. So question, what do I do to rectify this situation? I tried using GParted making an MS-DOS partition table, and made linux partitions and swap partitions in the end, tried the live boot and nothing. However, MINIX works fine. :P

Jeremy Harden

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Jan 8, 2021, 12:09:07 PM1/8/21

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I have to say, for this fiasco, even though it is, I am laughing my ass off.

Jeremy Harden

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Jan 9, 2021, 4:04:14 AM1/9/21

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Nevermind, FreeDOS install fixed the issue. Evidently the bootloader supplied with MINIX 3.1.0 makes the Linux Kernel grumpy when loaded. The FreeDOS install basically repaired the MBR to where there is no conflict with the Linux kernel.

stux...@gmail.com

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Jan 12, 2021, 6:30:25 AM1/12/21

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You got Minix to install on bare metal? Nice! Care to share its specs with the rest of the world? :D

Jeremy Harden

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Jan 14, 2021, 9:27:31 AM1/14/21

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I would recommend MINIX 3.4.0 release candidate 6 to be installed on bare metal instead of MINIX 3.1.0 (especially how the boat loader works with MINIX 3.1.0 [book edition]). I installed of course both of them on bare metal, and had a more pleasurable experience with MINIX 3.4.0 rc 6. The pkgin manager was very straight forward, even more responsive than NetBSD 9.1 (I think 9.1's repo is non-existent!). I used an Acer 3620 laptop with 80 gigs (memory I think is at least 1 gig if not 2 max of ram) with an Intel Celeron M as the processor (it's low-end but a work horse). It was going to be my dedicated MINIX laptop/workstation, but I have other designs meant for that laptop. I will buy another low-end obsolete laptop with the same if not similar specs as the Acer (might either buy one from eBay or use my HP Pavillion, which has a bit higher specs than the Acer, it uses a Celeron processor that is more i686 however) and use that for my MINIX experimentations. I guess you could call me the MINIX mad man of Maine :3 Of course my networking was done with the use of a Google router, hardwired to the ethernet. I cannot wait for the next releases, MINIX has opened me to more than just loving Linux, it made have a deep fascination with UNIX and drove me into a spiritual journey with all things UNIX-like and inspired me to design DRAX OS with Tiny Core Linux. I might look into developing an OS with Genode if it is not too hard to do. Especially since Genode uses microkernels, which is another philosphy that MINIX uses to power the OS that I had me fall in love with the idea of going beyond monolithic kernels.

Jeremy Harden

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Jan 14, 2021, 9:39:13 AM1/14/21

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I apologize for my grammar mistakes, the grammar nazi in me wants to really concentrate on that a bit more often. XD

stux...@gmail.com

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Mar 24, 2021, 6:51:50 AM3/24/21

to minix3

Sorry for the late reply. Don't worry too much about grammar so long as it can be understood! :D
Is this the laptop you used?:

Also it's good to hear that Minix inspired you to work on Operating Systems! Minix has also kept my passion for OSes alive although I've been too busy to tinker with them myself. I hope that changes in the near future.

You mentioned DRAX OS, do you have a website for that project? I'm curious to know more about the work that you're doing on that and other projects.

Cheers,
-stux

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