[Sheflug] linux on an aging laptop (take2)

[Ross <nospam [at] ntlworld.com>]

progress....:-)

well... i've got linux installed on my old lap top (albeit Mulinux)

a few things though (if you don't mind)

i still don't know too much about this machine?
my main machine states that the processor runs at 299.9 bogomips !
this lap top shows 4.1 bogomips !
does this equate to 4.1 MHz ? as my main machine is 300MHz!

Mulinux is great as far as it goes... it runs X with fvwm95 (albeit slowly)
it has cut down versions of the main aps like
fetchmail/sendmail/httpd/ftpd/samba..........
in fact it's pretty impresive for a floppy distro

not surprizingly... i want a bit more.......
is it possible to copy a live system accross on floppies to the new machine
Chris touched on this subject but i'd appreciate a bit more info please?
i'm running mandrake7.1.... can the bare bones be transfered?
is a parallel port network possible to copy the files over?

but back to the reason for all of this.........
i need to use this machine as an interface to a building management system.
the interface requires a serial link between the laptop and the system.
the manufacturers recomend 'crosstalk' running on windows... but i can't
afford that!
i have the cable..... i have a working linux setup........
how do i access the serial port?
there is no authentication required just a straight forward comms link.
i have used minicom to connect to the system before without problems.. just
fire up minicom and dial the number.... minicom carries out the required vt100
emulation for the interface.
so i want to do the same with the direct cable connect?
trouble is.... the minicom provided with MUlinux only seems to allow
connection through the modem! is it possible through the terminal to establish
a serial link?
i always thought that was one of the core facilities of linux -'terminals'
(i've just never knowingly used it?)

your help will be appreciated........

--
Thanks,
        Ross
               ross.h [at] ntlworld.com
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