Bug#1026857: Installation media not bootable for architecture ppc64el on Tyan TN71-BP012

[Steve McIntyre <steve@einval.com>]

Hi Olivier,

On Thu, Dec 22, 2022 at 06:14:14PM +0100, oliviosu_ppc64el@tutanota.com wrote:

...

>Comments/Problems:
>Installer fail to start, kernel crash.
>Test on Tyan TN71-BP012 (IBM POWER8), the iso was wrote with dd to USB.
>(Petitboot (dev.20150810) TN71-BP012 TCGQV04D0011)
>
>The same kernel work on this computer via upgraded (on SSD) Debian 10 to 11.6
>(Debian 10 insallation working fine)
>boot entry:
>Debian GNU/Linux, with Linux 5.10.0-20-powerpc64le
>working fine.
>
>The computer have screen and keyboard.
>Boot was done creating entry in petitboot with:
>selecting sdb (usb device)
>Kernel: /install/vmlinux
>Initrd: /install/initrd.gz

I don't *think* we've changed anything in terms of how the installer
boots that might impact ppc64el, but clearly something's broken. :-(

Considering this looks like a kernel problem, I'm surprised you're not
seeing a similar issue if you upgrade and use this kernel on your
existing system! Just to check:

  * Do you have any special setup on the installed system, e.g. a
    custom kernel command line?

  * You say you wrote the image to USB using dd; did you read back and
    verify the image after you wrote it? It's not uncommon to see
    faults here...

-- 
Steve McIntyre, Cambridge, UK.                                steve@einval.com
You lock the door
And throw away the key
There's someone in my head but it's not me