NetBSD 10.x Kernel Math Emulation: Bringing Modern UNIX-like OS to Ancient i486SX CPU

I've always been fascinated by the idea of running a modern UNIX-like operating system on my trusty, yet ancient, laptop. The machine in question is a #i486SX CPU from the early '90s, a relic that's seen better days. Despite its age, I've managed to resurrect math emulation in the NetBSD 10.x kernel, and I'm excited to share this achievement with the retrocomputing community.

My journey began with the daunting task of configuring the FPU (Floating Point Unit) on my i486SX CPU. Unfortunately, the CPU's original configuration didn't include an FPU, which led to the development of software-based emulation. This allowed me to bring floating-point support back to life for 486SX machines, a feat that would have been impossible with native hardware FPU support.

After days of tinkering and testing, I finally compiled the kernel and initiated the boot process. But just as I was about to test my work, disaster struck – my laptop stopped recognizing the Enter key. It was as if the very foundation of my achievement had been shaken. With no way to verify whether my FPU emulation actually worked or not, I left the machine to cool down and wait for inspiration.

Days turned into weeks, and the anticipation grew. I reached out to fellow retrocomputing enthusiasts, hoping that someone might be willing to take on the challenge of testing my work. The response was overwhelming – many kind souls offered their assistance, eager to lend a hand in bringing vintage machines back to life.

The First Release: i486SX_soft_FPU

This week marks an exciting milestone – the first release of i486SX_soft_FPU, a software FPU emulator for classic Intel 486SX CPU running on NetBSD 10. The project has been met with enthusiasm from retrocomputing enthusiasts and hacking communities worldwide. For those interested in exploring this fascinating world, I invite you to check out our project page.

NetBSD 10.x provides a solid foundation for building custom kernels, making it an ideal choice for developers and enthusiasts alike. The introduction of FPU emulation opens up new possibilities for running modern UNIX-like OS on vintage hardware.

Contributions and Feedback Welcome

I'd like to extend my gratitude to all those who have contributed their time and expertise to this project. Your help has been invaluable, and I'm excited to see how the community will continue to shape and improve i486SX_soft_FPU. If you're interested in contributing code or testing the emulator, please don't hesitate to reach out – your input is crucial to its success.

Let's keep these vintage machines alive by working together! If you're passionate about retrocomputing, operating system hacking, or simply love old-school hardware, join me on this journey and let's push the boundaries of what's possible with NetBSD 10.x and i486SX Soft FPU Emulation.

Update: Successful Testing with #86Box

This morning, I successfully tested NetBSD 10.1 with i486SX FPU emulation on #86Box, a popular emulator for retro hardware enthusiasts. The results are nothing short of astonishing – the simple, yet correct, calculation results were delivered to the user in real-time. This marks a significant milestone for our project and solidifies the potential for widespread adoption.

Join me in celebrating this achievement and exploring the exciting possibilities that i486SX_soft_FPU has to offer! Let's keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible with NetBSD 10.x, i486SX Soft FPU Emulation, and vintage hardware enthusiasts worldwide.