ashley@hpuagai.HP.COM ( ASHLEY MILLER ) (12/23/87)
Recently I purchased the Minix software. Minix is a miniature version of unix written by Andrew Tanenbaum for the IBM PC/AT and "true" compatibles. It is intended as a tutorial to operating system internals and the source code is readily available. When I tried running Minix on a Vectra it failed. Most multi-tasking operating systems do not use the BIOS (like Xenix and System V on the PCs) and Minix is the same way. So, these packages must program the I/O chips directly. Since the original Vectra did not use the same keyboard controller chip as the IBM, Minix gave me an unexpected trap as soon as I pressed the first key. Then along comes the ES12 Vectras. The keyboard problem is eliminated and when Minix boots on an ES12 I can press a key and it responds favorably. However as soon as I take the next step (which is to put the root file system into RAM disk), another unexpected trap (trap #16). Has anyone tried running Minix on a Vectra and if so have they had any luck getting it going? Any clues on what is wrong? Does the Vectra run Xenix out of the box? ashley miller