Re: Why no Cyrix patch in 2.1.20?

Simon Kenyon (simon@koala.ie)
Wed, 08 Jan 1997 22:12:11 +0000


Nigel Metheringham <Nigel.Metheringham@ThePLAnet.net> said:
> However there is a problem with some Cyrix processors which is very
> hard to pin down, but is related to the 6x86 enhanced features.
> This means it is only *safe* to use the extra CPU detection code and
> all other features need to be disabled, unless you are *sure* they
> work on your machine.

> Mike had an idea for what was causing this problem, but no fix to my
> knowledge.

> [However the CPU detection does switch suspend_on_halt on as a side
> effect, so the melting CPU problem is fixed.]

> I think I'd still leave this out of the main kernel development line
> for 2.0.x. [if you have a Cyrix aware BIOS it should have set
> suspend_on_halt]

but all the more reason to add it to the 2.1.x range of kernels
otherwise people will not use it and find out what the problems are
i have to make a consious effort to patch a new kernel to add the 6x86 stuff
to it - most people won't bother (or know about the patch)
it therefore won't get tested

--
simon
running 2.1.20 (with cyrix patch) on a 6x86 166+ with step 1.6 and the wb 
cache enabled