SPARCstation 5 - where to start?

[gavin.walker@example.com]

Hi,

New (well, returned) to the list and relatively new to Linux, having installed
and used it on two or three PCs.

Basically I've been given a SPARCstation 5/110 as a retired machine from where I
work, and want to set it up at home as a machine to improve my Unix skills and
maybe for Java development, if it has enough grunt to cope with the task.

Basically it came fully unloaded ;o) Someone had removed the graphics card,
memory, CDROM and hard disks. A quick trip to Akihabara yielded an 8 bit frame
buffer, and I managed to get a couple of hard disks for it from a friendly Unix
sysadmin. The memory is on its way from a friend of a friend, so now it's a
CDROM I'm lacking. Any ideas? Must be cheap! I have a Toshiba/Sun display to set
it up, but I want to get an adaptor for my PCs' TFT panel eventually.

So, I haven't actually switched the thing on yet. Are there any diagnostics I
can run to see if the hardware's OK?

Although one of the disks currently has Solaris installed, I've been told it
won't boot off it, only off an external device. Whatever, I want to put Linux on
it anyway as it seems to be the more sensible option. If I manage to sort out a
CDROM, what do I do next? Can I burn a copy of SPARC Linux onto a CD on my PC?

Any and all help gratefully received,


Gavin




___________________________________________________________

This message and any attachments (the "message") are intended solely for
the addressees and are confidential.  If you receive this message in error,
please delete it and immediately notify the sender.

Any use not in accord with its purpose, any dissemination or disclosure,
either whole or partial, is prohibited except formal approval.

The internet can not guarantee the integrity of this message.  BNP PARIBAS
(and its subsidiaries) shall (will) not therefore be liable for the message
if modified.
                       --------------------------------------------------
Ce message et toutes les pieces jointes (ci-apres le "message") sont
etablis a l'intention exclusive de ses destinataires et sint confidentiels.
Si vous recevez ce message par erreur, merci de le detruire et d'en avertir
immediatement l'expediteur.

Toute utilisation de ce message non conforme a sa destination, toute
diffusion ou toute publication, totale ou partielle, est interdite, sauf
autorisation expresse.

L'internet ne permettant pas d'assurer l'integrite de ce message, BNP
PARIBAS (et ses filiales) decline(nt) toute responsabilite au titre de ce
message, dans l'hypothese ou il aurait ete modifie.
___________________________________________________________