[ILUG] Problem installing Linux on Via C3 Processor

[Stephen Brooks]

Jaqian wrote:
> Hi
> I'm having terrible trouble installing any distro on my laptop other than
> the now defunct Freespire. I've come to the conclusion this is down to my
> laptops processor Via C3 (Nehemiah). I'd like to install Kubuntu on my
> laptop but this doesn't seem possible at the moment. Any suggestions on how
> I might work around this?
>
> Here are  my cpu's details if it makes sense to anyone...
>
> processor    : 0
> vendor_id    : CentaurHauls
> cpu family    : 6
> model          : 9
> model name    : VIA Nehemiah
> stepping    : 4
> cpu MHz        : 665.000
> cache size    : 64 KB
> fdiv_bug    : no
> hlt_bug        : no
> f00f_bug    : no
> coma_bug    : no
> fpu        : yes
> fpu_exception    : yes
> cpuid level    : 1
> wp        : yes
> flags        : fpu de pse tsc msr cx8 mtrr pge cmov mmx fxsr sse up rng
> rng_en
> bogomips    : 1335.88
> clflush size    : 32
>
> Cheers,
> Rob
>   
Hi Rob,

    I thought this was only an issue with the Samuel cores though I see
this is one of the slower Nehemiahs.  If I recall correctly the issue is
a disagreement of i686 supported flags between Via and gcc.  The
contention here is the cmov instruction.  While it is a 686 instruction
the specs say it's an optional one yet gcc includes it for 686 specified
compilation.  Using a 586 or older target architecture should avoid the
use of cmov, I'm guessing 386 would the path of least resistance for
pre-compiled packages.

Best of luck,
Steve