Re: install problems

[Helge Deller <deller@gmx.de>]

On 3/16/25 22:33, Christian Groessler wrote:
> On 3/14/25 16:56, Helge Deller wrote:
> > On 3/14/25 14:57, Christian Groessler wrote:
> > > I'm trying to install Debian on a C3750 workstation. My problem is
> > > that after the initial boot loader I don't see anything after the
> > > "If this is the last message you see ...".
> > >
> > > I've tried http://ftp.parisc-linux.org/debian-cd/debian-12/
> > > debian-2025-01-hppa-CD.iso
> >
> > That CD should work.
> > I used it to install on a physical C3700.
> > I used serial console, maybe you are using graphics card?
>
>
> Sorry, yes, I'm using a graphics card.
>
>
> > > and https://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/ports/snapshots/2024-12-24/
> > > debian-12.0.0-hppa-NETINST-1.iso as mentioned on https://
> > > parisc.docs.kernel.org/en/latest.
> > >
> > > But I have a Debian boot CD from 2021, where after this message the
> > > normal kernel boot messages appear. It had later issues when trying
> > > to install to the hard disk iirc, so I hadn't installed Linux on the
> > > box back then.
> >
> > Does the machine maybe has general issues?
>
>
> No. It runs HPUX and OpenBSD fine.
>
> The problems with Linux back then were with detecting the disk iirc.
>
>
> > > So what could be the problem? The old, working CD has palo v2.15.
> > > The new CDs have palo 2.25 and 2.27. If palo is the problem. I don't
> > > know the kernel versions.
> > I don't think palo is the problem.
> > Can you take screenshots or trace logs?
>
>
> I could take screen shot, but you don't see much. After "If this is
> the last message..." there is no output anymore.
>
> I'm just wondering, the old CD worked in this regard: after this
> message the kernel boot messages appeared and the installer could be
> entered.
>
> If this helps, the box seems to have two graphics cards, which are
> detected by OpenBSD as 'sti0 at pci0 dev 2 function 0 "Hewlett-
> Packard Visualize FX4" rev 0x02'.

Ah, ok.
The problem with all Visualize-FX cards is, that they are not supported
in graphics mode (stifb) with the current Linux kernel.
Just "sticon" mode will work, which is comparable to VGA textmode on PCs,
and not using graphics (like showing a tux at bootup).
I assume the install kernel hasn't sticon built-in (but which it should have).

> If it doesn't work I can use serial, but I'd prefer to have a GUI on
> this machine.

I suggest you install the machine with serial console. Then, after installing
a newer kernel you should be able to boot the installed machine
with text-mode STIcon.

Helge