Use web resources (minix, qemu) to get more specific details or extra commands etc.
Also try using the man pages.

Installing Minix_over_QEMU

• Grab the software: "Minix over QEMU for Linux"
• Read this HOWTO, from top to bottom.
• Things you will need: a x86 (>=386) processor to run qemu, memory (128MB recommended), sdl library
• This package has been tested succesfully on Slackware 10.2, Ubuntu 5.10, Fedora Core 4
• Just place Minix_over_QEMU.run in the directory you want to install "Minix over QEMU" and run it. (recommended, just for ease of use, your home directory).
• Don't bother to bypass the license agreement. If you do make it, congratulations on wasting your time so "productively" ( &^%&^#*(*+_)_!%$% !!!).

Preparing to run Minix over QEMU

• Read carefully Minix_over_QEMU.sh (bash script found in the installation directory). Make sure you fully understand what it is supposed to be doing. In case you think it won't work for your GNU/Linux distribution, modify it accordingly.
• A couple of hints about what the script is doing:
  • Checks whether qemu is already running
  • Makes sure at least 144MB of Linux shared memory are mounted.
  • Makes sure hda.img (Minix virtual disk)is not mounted.
  • Runs Minix over QEMU
  • Mounts hda.img (Minix virtual disk) to PATH_TO_INSTALLATION_DIR/mnt so you can read/write files as if the virtual disk is a real one.
• If Minix_over_QEMU.sh does work the way described above, you'd better use it.
• Check hints and tips for more info.

Start Minix over QEMU

• Read carefully the section of this HOWTO entitled Preparing to run Minix over QEMU.
• Make sure you understood that section. Maybe you'd read it once more?
• So you are a risky guy, ha? Ok then...
• Just run Minix_over_QEMU.sh.
• The following concern Minix and it's filesystem (virtual disk stuff) and commands:
• Some usefull Minix editors are :
  • mined looks like pico .
  • elle looks like emacs .
  • vi looks like ... well take a wild guess.
• If you want to recompile the kernel just cd /usr/src/tools and make hdboot . The recompiled image of the kernel will be automatically placed at /minix named 2.0.0r?, where ? the revision number, and used next time you start Minix.
• You must have noticed your mouse and keyboard have been "grabbed" by QEMU. In order to be able to use them in other applications, you need to reclaim them. Do so by pressing ALT+CTRL simultaneously.
• By pressing ALT+CTRL+2 you are taken to QEMU monitor. Read QEMU's manual on how to use it. To go back to MinixOS hit ALT+CTRL+1 .

Quit Minix over QEMU

• You HAVE TO SHUT DOWN Minix before you quit it. Don't just hit X on the top right corner, or the Minix FS will be corrupted and your changes might get lost.
• In order to quit Minix and then QEMU follow this procedure:
  • execute the shutdown command as root . Wait till you see System Halted .
  • hit ALT+CTRL+2 , write quit and hit ENTER.

File Transfers (from/to Minix virtual disk) and stuff

• If you did use Minix_over_QEMU.sh eventually, after executing it once, you should have minix virtual filesystem mounted under PATH_TO_INSTALLATION_DIR/mnt
• If you did not, just study the script and mount / umount yourself (manually)
• Just use the above directory to add/edit/remove files, blah blah blah...
• Bare in mind that Linux is able to manipulate a Minix FS natively. That means that files owned by root inside the virtual image, are also owned by root where the directory is mounted.
• Using the script (Minix_over_QEMU.sh), the virtual image is unmounted before executing Minix over QEMU. If you choose to mount/umount/diy manually, make sure you are not running Minix over QEMU while it's virtual image is still mounted.

Hints and Tips

• If a file is not executable, execute chmod u+x FILENAME to grant execute permission for the file owner. (man chmod)
• QEMU uses parameter "-m" to specify the amount of RAM used for running the emulated system. "Minix over QEMU" specifies that parameter inside Minix_over_QEMU.sh, found in the installation directory. You might want to edit it, if you find that the default value of 128 MB makes your system non responsive. Just use your favorite editor and set that number (128) according to your judgement.
• QEMU for linux needs an amount of /dev/shm (Posix shared memory as of 2.6 kernel or higher). This amount is set to 144M, as recommended by qemu when invoked with -m 128m. If you choose to modify the latter parameter, you might want to (carefully) modify the amount of shared memory mounted. Just make sure you it is enough (maybe follow qemu's prompt).
• Read the MAN pages
• Google your way to the top.
• Read the rest of the documentation
• Study Mr. Tanenbaum's book "Operating Systems: Design and Implementation 2/e"
• Want to know what happens below what you see? Give it a shot and install Minix over QEMU yourself. It might take you some days of drudgery but eventually you will feel a far better person.
• Actually being a blood donor does make you a better person and does not take days of your time, just minutes. I guess you should definitely consider that as an option. And that is not a joke.
• Take the time to correct my language mistakes and mail me (name--> Konstantinos Menychtas <--surname)