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Linux 7.2 finally cuts off ancient x86 fallback code (unknownuniverse.uk)
submitted 2 days ago by to c/linux@programming.dev
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Linux 7.2 has landed, dragging x86 timing clean out of the nineties by making the Time Stamp Counter mandatory.

I wrote up a quick article on why ditching those ancient legacy fallbacks is good housekeeping, plus a few other bits like cache-aware scheduling and memory tweaks worth noting.

Is anyone still using legacy hardware? If so, what do you use it for?

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[–] 11 points 2 days ago (4 children)

I use a Compaq CQ510-SD for writing. Lovely small keyboard, only has a resolution of 1024x600, but with some zoom configured in autostart that increases to twice that. It works as little more than a glorified text processor, but it suits my needs just fine while I can't find its equal in the x64 or ARM market.

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  • [–] 2 points 1 day ago (1 child)

    But why does it need updates if it works? Just don't connect it to the Internet and you can run it until either it dies or you die.

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  • [–] 1 point 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 child)

    I would recommend looking into the BSD's, they have stronger support for older and unusual architectures. Something like nomadBSD, uses xfce on freeBSD

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  • [–] 3 points 2 days ago (1 child)

    The problem is not software but hardware. The Compaq CQ510-SD is a nice compact design with round edges and small enough to fit in most any bag. Finding the same in a x64 system seems impossible. Hard edges, larger screens, flimsy chassis, or unuseable keyboards.

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  • [–] 3 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 child)

    Well if you still like your hardware, and want continued, updated, software support, one of the BSD's still likely to get you there for a bit longer. NetBSD likely being the one that drops it last.

    But at some point, as long as you able to do your work and copy data back and forth, does it matter. Even just running winXP or 7 will get you along for sometime.

    FreeDOS will always support x86, lol.

    At least you not running something with an old big edian PowerPC machine. Support for those suck!

    Does the machine a a socketed CPU, it appeared it runs the Core2 CPUs, if you get a core2duo, those support 64bit. I have a ThinkPad x60 with a 32bit Core2 CPU. It's odd that there was 32bit only version of that class of CPU. I haven't bothered to try upgrade it though.

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