Linux on a Commodore C64

Linux on a Commodore C64. Contribute to onnokort/semu-c64 development by creating an account on GitHub.

1 yr. ago

8 comments

So, as is, a real C64 should be able to boot Linux within a week or so.

This made me laugh! But as an avid vintage computing fan, I applaud this effort.

I wonder if it runs common programs such as vim.
- Vim needs to be compiled to 6502 or you need to implememt an x86 emulator (not sure if it could run at all on a CPU that limited)
  
  The CPU could run vim even if it needs to emulate an x86. The problem is going to be RAM, the C64 just doesn't have enough. Even early versions vi took up most of the available RAM in a PDP-11/70.
  
  An x86 emulator could in theory be implemented in a Commodore 64, given that it's a Turing-complete machine. Would it be practical, though? Hardly.
  
  The post refers to a RISC-V emulator for C64. The Linux kernel booted is RISC-V, so you'd be vim for the same.
See also: LUnix

(Actually not a joke despite a name that might at first arouse suspicion.)
What a joke:

go to Preferences | Settings | Cartridges | RAM Expansion Module, enable it and select the file reufile.linux, and make sure to select the correct size (16MiB)

So this only works if one adds a f-ing 16MB RAM cartridge to the system?

This is not "Linux running on a C64". This is Linux running on a platform that marginally includes some C64.
- It's still a remarkable feat.

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