In our final post, we will see how we can recompile the kernel from our clean Minix 3.1.3a install. You will never fear again compiling yourself a kernel :D
Although Minix 3.1.4 has not been released officially yet, you can grab the sources from trunk and have virtual memory support (so you don’t have to try running programs with chmem and by the trial-and-error process.
In first place, log in as “root”. After that install Subversion from packman (package #104). Don’t bother to grab the sources for subversion, you won’t need them. Then, follow these instructions.
- cd /usr
- mv src src.old
- svn –username anonymous co https://gforge.cs.vu.nl/svn/minix/trunk/src
You’ll be prompt for a password, enter an empty one and accept the bogus certificate. After it has finished downloading all the sources, it will tell you what revision is. The one for this post has been Rev. 4200. - cp /usr/src/etc/drivers.conf /etc
This step is essential! drivers.conf file from 3.1.3 is not compatible with the 3.1.4 one. - cd /usr/src/tools
- make depend includes libraries install
- cp /boot/image/3.1.4/boot/image_big
- shutdown -r
Reboot your virtual machine and you’re done! Enjoy virtual memory.
After rebooting, you should see Minix 3.1.4 after loading the boot image.
It is possible that some system commands stop working (such as ps). There have been major changes so they will crash. You will have to build them and install the new version of these tools (make && make install). You will find them on the /usr/src/commands folder.
Sources:
Thanks! I was just thinking about updating my VM from 3.1.3 to 3.1.4 when I saw this. Have you thought about contributing this to the minix3 wiki?
Yes, for sure. I created an account on the Minix wiki a few days ago. I still have to learn the wiki syntax.