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Linux kernel is leaving 486 CPUs behind, only 18 years after the last one made (arstechnica.com)

submitted 2 months ago by neme@lemm.ee to c/linux@programming.dev

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[–] 9point6@lemmy.world 4 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Just as the MiSTer has started putting (sorta) 486s back in people's hands, although if the newly required instructions aren't too complicated, I suppose someone could conceivably add them to the core.

I guess one unknown for me is how the capability detection of the kernel works and if it works on instruction detection or if it determines it via CPUID.

A big also is that I've not yet tried to run Linux on mine yet so I'm not even sure it's possible with a modern kernel anyway. I think I remember seeing someone got an old version of redhat or Debian working

[–] BeardedGingerWonder@feddit.uk 8 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

I've seen a whole raft of 386 machines on AliExpress recently. I need to investigate what's actually in them .

Edit: it's just 386s Edit 2: 386 soc on board

[–] 9point6@lemmy.world 11 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Ah I believe those are powered by chips originally intended to be used in industrial control use cases.

Loads of old manufacturing machines & software out there that are built around a 386/486, and given intel hasn't exactly been making those models in a good while, some companies stepped up to provide compatible replacements for those situations.

Someone on AliExpress had the idea of using them in a more pc-like product for retro gaming, and voila we have all these modern 386/486 clones

[–] BeardedGingerWonder@feddit.uk 2 points 2 months ago

Yeah they seem to be M6117 386 soc. They're a bit pricey to buy on a whim, but I'll keep an eye out, might be fun to tinker with.