Installing legacy FreeBSD 1.0 on virtualbox reddit / freebsd ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Mr69Niceee · 2023-05-08 18:38 Hi, For research and educational purposes, I'm installing the legacy first release of FreeBSD 1.0, from the official repo site, I found there are two directories that contain the archived ISO images, but don't know what the differences are and use for standard installation ? \* [http://ftp-archive.freebsd.org/pub/FreeBSD-Archive/old- releases/i386/ISO-IMAGES/1.0/1.0-disc1.iso](http://ftp- archive.freebsd.org/pub/FreeBSD-Archive/old-releases/i386/ISO- IMAGES/1.0/1.0-disc1.iso) \* [http://ftp-archive.freebsd.org/pub/FreeBSD-Archive/old- releases/i386/ISO-IMAGES/FreeBSD-1.0-RELEASE/cd1.iso](http://ftp- archive.freebsd.org/pub/FreeBSD-Archive/old-releases/i386/ISO- IMAGES/FreeBSD-1.0-RELEASE/cd1.iso) ​ And I tried both on VirtualBox, setting the virtualbox boot settings as below, but it won't boot properly, and I get the error messages that it can't find boot files or mediums as shows in the image below, can anyone point me out and get me in the right direction ? Floppy: cdinstal/cdins\_ah.flp CDROM: \`cd1.iso\` and \`1.0-disk1.iso\` ​ [Floppy: set to cdinstal\/cdins\_sh.flp](https://preview.redd.it/ysi4v 5hwinya1.png?width=817&format=png&auto=webp&v=enabled&s=3ac2fda1b1c7c3 246b2f8aa38e12f8c087187010) ​ [CDROM: set to cd1.iso \(downloaded from freebsd archieve releases sit e\)](https://preview.redd.it/ac2ivrz5jnya1.png?width=833&format=png&au to=webp&v=enabled&s=d41eb67e3b719fb556dab117cafe046cf997f0f5) ​ VirtualBox version: 6.1, and the settings for FreeBSD 1.0 VM: ​ [Settings summary](https://preview.redd.it/wppdkqse2rya1.png?width=771 &format=png&auto=webp&v=enabled&s=c42c2a8006aa511e15a146a4f94797ecf5ac c857) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- nmariusp · 2023-05-08 20:29 I would do divide et impera. Try to install FreeBSD 13.2. Then 1.0. Then 7.0, then 4.0 etc. And see which is the oldest FreeBSD version that I manage to get installed in a VM. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- emilkhatib · 2023-05-08 21:15 Try 86box, may work better for order OSes ---------------------------------------------------------------------- nmariusp · 2023-05-08 21:17 I managed to install FreeBSD 4.1 [http://ftp- archive.freebsd.org/pub/FreeBSD-Archive/old-releases/i386/ISO- IMAGES/4.1/](http://ftp-archive.freebsd.org/pub/FreeBSD-Archive/old- releases/i386/ISO-IMAGES/4.1/) on linux virt-manager qemu kvm. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- schrodyn · 2023-05-08 21:43 Tried running it as a jail instead? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- joemc04 · 2023-05-08 21:53 I imagine an emulator would do better than a virtual machine. Something like QEMU. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Queueded · 2023-05-09 01:30 There are a few things to be aware of, but the first thing is that CD- ROMs weren't bootable when FreeBSD 1.0 was released, so it's not surprising booting the CD-ROM isn't working. I'd expect you have to boot from floppy, and you're going to need to emulate a SCSI CD-ROM. It might be easier with really old hardware. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BeauSlim · 2023-05-09 04:00 I remember the usual install was done by downloading a boot floppy image (or two?) and a pile of floppy-sized tar files (aka "tar- balls"). You created the boot floppy, and stored those tar files together on a DOS-formatted HD partition, then booted from the floppy and pointed it at the DOS partition as media. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- grahamperrin · 2023-05-09 04:50 In VirtualBox preferences for the guest, is the version set to *FreeBSD (32-bit)*? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Queueded · 2023-05-09 04:55 It might be easier to go with the floppy version since otherwise you have to doink around with ancient peripherals you either don't have or can't emulate. I didn't ask your reasoning for installing a 30-year-old OS, but if it's to gain an appreciation for modern installers, you're already ahead of the game ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Mr69Niceee · 2023-05-09 06:31 Hi, thanks for the response. Yes, it is set the 32-bit. I've edited the post to include the main page summary of the VM. I hope people will be able to spot the problems if any... ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Nix_Guy · 2023-05-09 12:29 Are the “missing” files actually on the disk(s)? The reason for asking is that there was some legal wrangling between AT&T and CSRG back when the BSD source was made public. I think FreeBSD 1.0 was based on that original 1992 BSD release and presumably it would have contained files that AT&T found problematic during the BSD legal dispute. Could it be the case that some files have been retrospectively removed due to licensing? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- PkHolm · 2023-05-10 04:35 As well as I remember IDE CD-ROMS was also supported. ( Sorry, too lazy to dig through release notes) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Queueded · 2023-05-10 05:46 Well, *one* IDE CD-ROM, yes, not all IDE CD-ROMS. I think it was the Mitsubishi? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- PkHolm · 2023-05-10 06:46 Mitsubishi was an interface ( like PATA). Panasonic was other one. PATA CDROM-s should be reasonably vendor agnostic. Ohh, it was soo long ago, I just do not remember. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Queueded · 2023-05-10 06:53 Mitsumi, not Mitsubishi, I guess, and I vaguely recall it supported IDE CD-ROMs for installation, but not mounting? Or maybe the other way 'round. It's been 30 years for both of us, I mainly recall using a lot of floppies and having to start over a few times. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- can_you_see_throu · 2023-05-11 11:48 I had vms of old stuff, so you need to check what hardware was used these days cpus: doesnt support VT-x/ AMD-V display: stick with basics audio: ac97 (?) network: usb: hehe (thinking of win95 and getting it working in vm) If you get it running, you can still swap hardware in the vm