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Last time I tried to install Rocky/Alma Linux on my mum's laptop (Core 2 Duo T5600) it miserably failed because the OS required x86_64_v2 (I didn't even know th

Last time I tried to install Rocky/Alma Linux on my mum's laptop (Core 2 Duo T5600) it miserably failed because the OS required x86_64_v2 (I didn't even know this existed: I thought all x86_84 linux OS would boot on that machine...). It's a pity since the long-term support of that distro would make it a perfect match for that use-case where I want the computer to "just work" without any bleeding-edge stuff... Anyway, it's just to say that it's not only Microsoft who is dropping support for older machines !

mistrial9 3y ago
Debian
creatonez 3y ago
> It's a pity since the long-term support of that distro would make it a perfect match for that use-case where I want the computer to "just work" without any bleeding-edge stuff I don't see what your point is... the switch to x86-64-v2 was made in RHEL 9, released on 2022-05-17. But RHEL 8 based distros are supported until 2029. Plenty of time before this switch is something you absolutely have to do. Also, RHEL is almost exclusively used on servers and high-end workstations, which are never using hardware older than x86-64-v2. CPUs made before 2009 are almost never used in datacenters, except servers that are sentimental (like hobbyist colocation in a university datacenter) See https://developers.redhat.com/blog/2021/01/05/building-red-hat-enterprise-linux-9-for-the-x86-64-v2-microarchitecture-level https://developers.redhat.com/blog/2021/01/05/building-red-h...
sigmoid10 3y ago
Why not go with a more established distro that is well known to work on old machines? I have a 15 year old laptop running Debian and after switching the disk for an SSD it's even comfortable to work with by today's standards. Just stay away from graphics-heavy desktops and applications.
cesarb 3y ago
> it miserably failed because the OS required x86_64_v2 (I didn't even know this existed: I thought all x86_84 linux OS would boot on that machine...). As the sibling comment mentioned, this decision was made for RHEL 9, so distributions based on the older RHEL 8 would still work for you. But that's not the first time it has happened: saying "all x86_84 linux" hides the fact that, for many distributions, x86_64 is all that's available on the x86 world; RHEL 6 was the last RHEL which could run on a 32-bit-only x86 PC. And even earlier than that, we had distributions that started requiring a Pentium or Pentium Pro or equivalent. This ratcheting of CPU requirements happens for every Linux distribution; some are earlier (as you noticed, the RHEL world is on the leading edge of that), and some are later (Debian still has support for as far back as the Pentium Pro), but you cannot expect to keep using an old CPU on mainstream Linux distributions forever (or even on recent Linux at all; the latest Linux kernel no longer works on a 386 or 486 CPU).
JackSlateur 3y ago
Yes, everybody moves on Even for old farts that are "x86, 32b distribution", they are mostly i686. As far as I know, no mainstream OS support i386. The Linux kernel dropped its support years ago.
- rnd0 3y ago
  >As far as I know, no mainstream OS support i386. Including NetBSD? Granted, it's not Linux; but they're supposed to be famous for supporting weird old hardware.
  - NikkiA 3y ago
    Does netbsd even count as 'mainstream'? I'd hum and haw about freebsd even.
  - JackSlateur 3y ago
    I do not know According to this (https://wiki.netbsd.org/ports/i386/ https://wiki.netbsd.org/ports/i386/): Any i486 or better CPU should work - genuine Intel or a compatible such as Cyrix, AMD, or NexGen.

mistrial9 3y ago

Debian

creatonez 3y ago

> It's a pity since the long-term support of that distro would make it a perfect match for that use-case where I want the computer to "just work" without any bleeding-edge stuff I don't see what your point is... the switch to x86-64-v2 was made in RHEL 9, released on 2022-05-17. But RHEL 8 based distros are supported until 2029. Plenty of time before this switch is something you absolutely have to do. Also, RHEL is almost exclusively used on servers and high-end workstations, which are never using hardware older than x86-64-v2. CPUs made before 2009 are almost never used in datacenters, except servers that are sentimental (like hobbyist colocation in a university datacenter) See https://developers.redhat.com/blog/2021/01/05/building-red-hat-enterprise-linux-9-for-the-x86-64-v2-microarchitecture-level https://developers.redhat.com/blog/2021/01/05/building-red-h...

sigmoid10 3y ago

Why not go with a more established distro that is well known to work on old machines? I have a 15 year old laptop running Debian and after switching the disk for an SSD it's even comfortable to work with by today's standards. Just stay away from graphics-heavy desktops and applications.

cesarb 3y ago

> it miserably failed because the OS required x86_64_v2 (I didn't even know this existed: I thought all x86_84 linux OS would boot on that machine...). As the sibling comment mentioned, this decision was made for RHEL 9, so distributions based on the older RHEL 8 would still work for you. But that's not the first time it has happened: saying "all x86_84 linux" hides the fact that, for many distributions, x86_64 is all that's available on the x86 world; RHEL 6 was the last RHEL which could run on a 32-bit-only x86 PC. And even earlier than that, we had distributions that started requiring a Pentium or Pentium Pro or equivalent. This ratcheting of CPU requirements happens for every Linux distribution; some are earlier (as you noticed, the RHEL world is on the leading edge of that), and some are later (Debian still has support for as far back as the Pentium Pro), but you cannot expect to keep using an old CPU on mainstream Linux distributions forever (or even on recent Linux at all; the latest Linux kernel no longer works on a 386 or 486 CPU).

JackSlateur 3y ago

Yes, everybody moves on Even for old farts that are "x86, 32b distribution", they are mostly i686. As far as I know, no mainstream OS support i386. The Linux kernel dropped its support years ago.

rnd0 3y ago
>As far as I know, no mainstream OS support i386. Including NetBSD? Granted, it's not Linux; but they're supposed to be famous for supporting weird old hardware.
- NikkiA 3y ago
  Does netbsd even count as 'mainstream'? I'd hum and haw about freebsd even.
- JackSlateur 3y ago
  I do not know According to this (https://wiki.netbsd.org/ports/i386/ https://wiki.netbsd.org/ports/i386/): Any i486 or better CPU should work - genuine Intel or a compatible such as Cyrix, AMD, or NexGen.