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BeOS for Intel FAQ

This document answers questions regarding the BeOS for Intel Architecture.

Other questions about the BeOS, which are not specific to Intel hardware, can be found in the other FAQ pages we have created. Do check those out, too.

If after reading this collection of frequently asked questions you still find your question(s) unanswered, send us a message letting us know what questions and answers you'd like to see added to the page. Direct these questions to webmaster@be.com. And then keep checking back!

This page was last updated on December 9, 1998.

Other resources you may find useful in your quest for information about the BeOS for Intel:

BeOS Ready Systems -- Intel
BeOS Probably Compatible List -- Intel
Example Intel Systems (the "Ming Specials")

Search the FAQs:

General

1. Is Be developing the BeOS for Intel Architecture?
2. Why did Be develop the BeOS for Intel Architecture?
3. Does this mean that Be is no longer supporting the BeOS on PowerPC?
4. Which does Be recommend for running the BeOS, Intel or PowerPC?
5. When will the BeOS for Intel Architecture be available?
6. How much does the BeOS for Intel Architecture cost?
7. Will there be a free downloadable version of the BeOS for Intel?
8. If I buy the BeOS Release for Intel, will I get Release 4 for PowerPC also?
9. Can I be a beta tester for the BeOS for Intel Architecture?
10. What software is available for the BeOS for Intel?
11. Will software run on both the BeOS for Intel and BeOS for PowerPC?
12. Does the BeOS support APM (Advanced Power Management)?

    Hardware Requirements

13. On what hardware does the BeOS for Intel Architecture run?
14. What Intel Architecture processors will run the BeOS? Updated! (12/9/98)
15. Will the BeOS run on Xeon processors? Updated! (12/9/98)
16. Will the BeOS run on Celeron processors? New!
17. Will the BeOS run on the AMD K6-2 processor?
18. Does the BeOS support MMX technologies?
19. Does the BeOS support Katmai technologies?
20. Does the BeOS support 3DNow! technologies?
21. Will the BeOS run on the "Merced" processor?
22. Does the BeOS for Intel run on 486 systems?
23. Does the BeOS run on 386 (or lower) systems?
24. What logic boards does the BeOS for Intel support?
25. What core logic chip sets does the BeOS for Intel support?
26. Does the BeOS support Intel's latest BX chipset?
27. Does the BeOS support VIA chipsets?
28. How can I tell what core logic chip set my PC uses?
29. Does it matter what speed my logic board is running at?
30. What graphics cards does the BeOS for Intel support?
31. What happens if I don't have a compatible graphics card? Can I still install and use the BeOS?
32. Does the BeOS for Intel support AGP graphics cards?
33. Does the BeOS for Intel support the 3dfx Voodoo I/II card?
34. What happens if I have two graphics cards, one supported and one not supported?
35. What happens if I have two supported graphics cards in my system?
36. What sound cards does the BeOS for Intel support?
37. What support for SCSI does the BeOS for Intel have?
38. Does the BeOS Release 4 for Intel support Zip drives?
39. What removable storage does the BeOS for Intel support? Updated! (12/9/98)
40. What network interface cards does the BeOS for Intel support?
41. Does the BeOS support internal modem cards?
42. Does the BeOS for Intel support Ultra DMA? Updated! (12/9/98)
43. Does the BeOS for Intel support the Universal Serial Bus (USB)? Updated! (12/9/98)
44. Does the BeOS for Intel support FireWire (IEEE-1394)?
45. Does the BeOS for Intel support DVD?
46. Does the BeOS support PnP (Plug-and-Play)?
47. Will the BeOS for Intel Architecture run on my laptop?
48. Will the BeOS for Intel Architecture run on VirtualPC?
49. Will the BeOS for Intel Architecture run on a DOS Compatibility card?
50. How do I boot the BeOS? How do I have 2 or more operating systems on my computer? Updated! (12/9/98)

    Installation

51. How do I install the BeOS? On a dedicated hard drive, or hard drive partition?
52. How can I use Partition Magic to give the BeOS a different partition size?
53. Can the BeOS be installed on an extended (or logical) partition?

    Troubleshooting

54. Why doesn't the BeOS work with my Virge-based graphics card?
55. Why doesn't my 3Com 3c905B Ethernet card work? Updated! (12/8/98)
56. Why doesn't my XYZZY (that is, any random add-in) card work?
57. My multiprocessor logic board with only one processor doesn't boot. What's wrong? New!

    Usage and Interface

58. Do I need another operating system to run the BeOS? Updated! (12/9/98)
59. Can the BeOS for Intel Architecture run Windows programs? Updated! (12/9/98)
60. Can the BeOS for Intel Architecture mount Windows/Linux/OS2 file systems? Updated! (12/9/98)
61. Can the BeOS access volumes on an extended (or logical) partition?

    Developer Questions

62. Can I develop for the BeOS on an Intel Architecture system?
63. What is the development environment?
64. Can I cross-compile from PowerPC to Intel? From Intel to PowerPC?
65. How easy is it to port BeOS software from one hardware platform to another?
66. What about those pesky endianess issues?
67. Are the APIs the same for the BeOS for Intel and for PowerPC?