Notes on Irix 6.5 Based Disk Images
# HELLO!
This README covers the Irix 6.5 images I host on my site https://oldsilicon.com. I make these images available to help classic workstation enthusiasts get old hardware running more easily. Installing older OS versions can be time-consuming, so the goal of these prototype images is to simplify the process, allowing you to get started quickly and then customize as needed.
Below, you'll find a checklist of tasks to get your machine up and running on your network. If you end up compiling useful tools and utilities not included in these images, please consider contributing them back to my project for inclusion in future versions.
## SECURITY NOTES
These are very old operating systems. An installation of any of them wouldn't last a minute on the Internet without being hacked, so they should only be used behind a NAT cable modem, firewall or similar device. Most of these images don't use passwords by default, so be cautious and add a password after getting the system running for basic security.
I host a SHA1 hash on my site to verify the image you downloaded before booting it.
Since the SHA1 will become invalid once you boot the image, it's a good idea to verify it right after downloading. If you got this image from another website, I would caution you that one of these images could easily host some code that could infiltrate your home network. Be safe and download a new copy from https://oldsilicon.com
## HOW TO USE THIS IMAGE
This image was taken from my ZuluSCSI SD-CARD. The OS installation was from a CD-ROM image, and modified as described below. I use Zulu RP2040s because they are a bit faster, but I'm sure other devices will work fine as well. Format the SD card to ExFAT and place the image on the card. None of the images require a special Zulu.ini file but I encourage you to leave the final part of the name of the image “_512.img” as tells the Zulu to use 512 by blocks.
This image should also work on a SCSI2SD if you bit copy it and configure the card ahead of time. It should work on an actual hard disk, though I haven't tested this.
## ROOT
There are two accounts on the image: "root" and "guest". Neither account has a password by default. You can login via the visual interface or via telnet. The root account is setup to be more complete where the guest account is exactly as it comes when installed.
## ROOT SHELL
I've compiled tcsh from source, and it’s located i /usr/local/bin. The root account uses this as its default shell. If you want to change the root shell, use the Irix admin tools.
## TELNET
You can telnet into the system using the root account after changing the IP address.
Many modern machines present themselves as xterm-256color. You can add a definition to termcap if you like. The .cshrc file in the root account remaps the terminal to xterm for common terminals I log in from, but you can adjust this as needed.
## NETWORKING SETUP
This image is set up for my home network, so you'll need to make some changes for it to work on yours. It's currently set to "192.168.7.x" on the "192.168.7.x" network, with my DNS server at "192.168.7.90".
The easiest way to change the network configuration is to use the EZSetup icon on the graphical login screen. If you are doing it via a serial connection, you will need to lookup how to do it via the commandline. Generally things you will need is a free IP address, the default router.
Configuration is files are:
- /etc/sys_id contains the hostname.
- /etc/hosts contains the ip address for the hostname
- /etc/config/static-route.options contains the static route to your router
- /etc/resolv.conf: Update with your nameserver IP and optionally your search
domain
## XSERVER CONFIG
The default Irix environment has a couple tweaks for the root account in ".chestrc" to add a few menu items the toolchest to launch xterms and such. This file is an account by account based configuration and only the root account has been modified.
## GNU UTILITIES, COMPILERS, AND USEFUL APPS
I'm functional at vi but its never been my favorite. I've installed my old standby uemacs (microemacs) in /usr/local/bin. If its good enough for linus torvalds its good enough for me. (https://github.com/torvalds/uemacs)
GCC is installed on the box from the freeware CD distribution that came with the Irix CD Set and resides in /usr/freeware as does some other utilities that were on that CD Set.
## FINALLY, HELP
Finally, if you find this image helpful and you end up compiling more software using it, please let me know! I would love to keep adding to the image and re-releasing it.
Enjoy!