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Most Linux Distros Won't Run on Pentium 4

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the bad-news-for-all dept.

linugen writes "According to this article on LinuxGram, the majority of Linux distributions won't install on the Pentium 4. Apparently this is caused by the CPUID database, which contains no information on the Pentium IV. Currently only Red Hat and Turbolinux have updated versions of the CPUID databases."

3 of 182 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Just get 2.2.18 by Majix · · Score: 5

    P4 owners only need to download 2.2.18 which should be out any day now

    ... and mere moments after posting, Linux 2.2.18 was released :)

  2. Has anybody told ... by Bryan+Ischo · · Score: 5

    ... the existing three Pentium 4 owners about this?

  3. Bad kernel design by Reality+Master+101 · · Score: 5

    It seems to me that the Linux shouldn't just fail if it doesn't understand a CPUID. Is there some reason it can't fall back to a "compatibility mode" (like, 486 or Pentium mode or something) so that it at least works? Maybe it won't run optimally, but a little warning message is better than a full-blown barf.


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    Sometimes it's best to just let stupid people be stupid.