Bug#282420: Alpha bad partitioning still there

[csmall@enc.com.au (Craig Small)]

Package: installation-reports

INSTALL REPORT

Debian-installer-version: jigdo download weekly build 13 November
uname -a: Linux fozzie 2.4.27-1-generic #1 Sat Sep 4 01:15:04 CEST 2004 alpha GNU/Linux
Date: 21 Nov 2004
Method: 
 Booted using CD #1 and then a local ftp/http mirror

Machine: Alpha PC164SX
Processor: PCA56
Memory: 256M
Root Device: IDE
Root Size/partition table: 

Disk /dev/hda: 80.0 GB, 80026361856 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 9729 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes


8 partitions:
#       start       end      size     fstype   [fsize bsize   cpg]
  a:        1*        1*        0*      ext2                      
  b:        1*       10*        9*      ext2                      
  c:       10*       44*       34*      ext2                      
  d:       44*      652*      607*      ext2                      
  e:      652*     1017*      364*      ext2                      
  f:     1017*     1112*       94*      swap                      
  g:     1112*     1160*       48*      ext2                      
  h:     1160*     9730*     8569*      ext2                      

Output of lspci and lspci -n:

0000:00:05.0 VGA compatible controller: Cirrus Logic GD 5434-8 [Alpine] (rev fc)
0000:00:06.0 Ethernet controller: 3Com Corporation 3c905B 100BaseTX [Cyclone] (rev 28)
0000:00:07.0 Multimedia audio controller: Ensoniq ES1370 [AudioPCI]
0000:00:08.0 ISA bridge: Contaq Microsystems 82c693
0000:00:08.1 IDE interface: Contaq Microsystems 82c693
0000:00:08.2 IDE interface: Contaq Microsystems 82c693
0000:00:08.3 USB Controller: Contaq Microsystems 82c693
0000:00:09.0 Ethernet controller: 3Com Corporation 3c905C-TX/TX-M [Tornado] (rev 74)
Base System Installation Checklist:
[O] = OK, [E] = Error (please elaborate below), [ ] = didn't try it

Initial boot worked:    [O]
Configure network HW:   [O]
Config network:         [O]
Detect CD:              [O]
Load installer modules: [O]
Detect hard drives:     [O]
Partition hard drives:  [E]
Create file systems:    [O]
Mount partitions:       [O]
Install base system:    [O]
Install boot loader:    [E]
Reboot:                 [E]

Comments/Problems:

The automagic partitioner *still* makes a "i" partition which means
aboot fails to install.  Once again the fix is to go to a shell
escape and delete it.

However if you try to install Debian via a serial console an extra
problem comes up.  You get the error message about unable to install
aboot. Next you go to the shell and you get a shell with a messed
up screen (hitting enter only gives you a LF no CR so you get staircases)
fdisk /dev/discs/.... to get the partition table.
I can see the hit m for help line but no key works, the console is
effectively dead.

This problem isn't there for the standard video console.  The terminal
was another host running minicom in a gnome terminal.