[9fans] Virtualbox 4.2.14 and Plan 9

[Carl Phillips]

The 4.2.14 maintenance release (2013-06-21) of Virtualbox has a fix for 
the problem that stopped Plan 9 working with Virtualbox 4.2.


From https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Changelog :

BIOS: don't use the ENTER / LEAVE instructions in the BIOS as these 
don't work in the real mode as set up by certain guests (e.g. Plan 9 and 
QNX 4)


I've tried Labs Plan 9 and 9atom and they both seem to work well on an 
Arch Linux host. 9front worked for me with 4.2 and also works with 4.2.14.


You need to use the Intel PRO/1000 MT Server emulation for networking 
and Vesa for Video:


aux/vga -m vesa -p will list available video modes (you can define 
custom modes for Virtualbox if your monitor resolution isn't supported)


aux/vga -m vesa -l 1600x1200x32 gives me a nice full screen display option

Re: [9fans] 9atom installation fails due to missing files

[Carl Phillips]

On 08/07/13 13:06, Steffen Daode Nurpmeso wrote:

Now i only fail to get it working in VirtualBox; both of 4.2.14
(June 21th, 86644) and 4.2.16 (86992) hang after "init: starting
/bin/rc" with 100% CPU time ("Live CD": ~28%).  I hope i find some
time to try it on an old but physical Athlon system on some
weekend...:(


Is the storage controller set to IDE? 9atom doesn't seem to like 
VirtualBox SATA as the hard disk/cdrom type. Also disable the Enable 
absolute pointing device option if set and you might need the VirtualBox 
Extension Pack installed.


Most of the other VirtualBox options don't seem to influence things too 
badly (on a quick trial).

Re: [9fans] 9atom installation fails due to missing files

[Carl Phillips]

I think you need the extension pack installed...if I uninstall it from 
this machine I can provoke the behaviour you describe with high cpu load 
and hangs after starting bin/rc. The install to disk option seems less 
prone to failure and sometimes it boots the live CD but takes a long 
time doing so.


After I reinstall the extension pack and enable the USB and USB 2 
controllers in the VM things start working better.

Re: [9fans] Networking in VirtualBox (DNS problem?)

[Carl Phillips]

Hi Ruben,

If you still want to try and get dns working in VirtualBox:

try editing /rc/bin/termrc so that the ip/ipconfig and ndb/dns -r lines 
are always executed - comment out the tests above each of these lines. 
Reboot the vm after making these changes.


This works well here on an Arch Linux host with Virtualbox 4.2.16 Plan 9 
vm configured for bridged networking, Intel Pro/1000 MT Server and DHCP 
from a router on a wired lan.


Carl

Re: [9fans] cheap, usb-c powered, quiet, virtualization capable, multicore intel x86 PCs

[Carl Phillips]

I have a GMKtec G3 N100 mini pc which has been running 9front ok for the 
past few months.


It is very cheap (I paid £63 delivered to the UK with 8GB RAM, 256GB 
NVME installed), x86, quiet, virtualization capable and multicore.


It's not usb-c powered out the box but you can use a barrel jack to 
usb-c adapter.


RAM is upgradeable to 32Gb. There is one 2280 NVME slot and one 2242 
SATA slot.


Case is easy to get into and plastic so very lightweight. It's not the 
absolute smallest of the Chinese mini pcs but smaller ones tend to have 
non upgradeable RAM or SSD.


BIOS is ok. From memory I had to do a UEFI install of 9front and it 
needs the files in the esp. I don't think traditional MBR/PBS booting is 
supported.


The built-in ethernet adapter is an Intel 226v which 9front doesn't 
support (yet?) but I use a Tecknet USB ethernet adapter which works 
fine. Haven't tried wifi but I suspect would be a battle.


It is ok with 9front but won't boot 4e or 9legacy out of the box. Maybe 
with some work and backports from 9front...


I haven't tried net booting it as the built-in ethernet adapter isn't 
supported so you might need a small disk/usb stick with kernel and nvram 
partition.


On 08/02/2025 01:22, ron minnich wrote:
I'm looking for something as defined in the subject. Has to run Plan 9 
of course. No disk needed, will netboot.


refurb is fine. If anyone has gotten such a thing recently, please lmk.

I may just see if there's cheapo thinkpads that fill the bill, but I'd 
prefer something tiny.
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