Re: BIG Problem with Debian 3.0 / Bootloader / PowerMac 7500/100
Macs can usually be tricked into booting off other media (such as an
install CD, floppy or even a MacOS CD) by holding down a key combination
during boot (i.e press power and then press and hold the key combination
until you see your desired effect)
c (for CDROM)
Apple-Option-Shift-Delete (scan for other media)
Option (just to be weird, some macs seem to accept this too)
hope this helps
On Tue, 2003-09-02 at 00:30, Michael Jarosch wrote:
> Hi!
>
> Well, o.k.! I Know, this is an english Mail list. Unfurtunately I'm not
> as good in english as a should to describe my problem. If anyone can
> understand the german language, it's better to have a look at the
> "debian-user-german" mailing-list ("DICKES Problem mit Debain-Bootloader
> für PowerPC (Mac)"), where I wrote to several hours ago. This is a try
> of translation:
>
> I fucked up my system!
> Problem: I ain't got no root-password for my (old-world) apple powermac
> 7500/100, but this debian 3.0 with the missing password is the only
> (bootable) OS on the mac's harddisc. This is how the story goes:
>
> I installed the install program with a floppy disc. Every time, the
> program asked for the keyboard layout (and I gave an answer), the
> keyboard messed up. The letters and funktion keys all weren't at their
> place or no more on the keyboard. Though I managed to get along with the
> installing procedure - I noticed that I could use "R" for tab and "F5"
> for enter. I finally got to the password-input. I tried to cancel this
> input and several times I tried to input nothing, but I failed. With
> that messed up keyboard I had no chance to input a combination of
> letters that I could reproduce. So I reset the machine.
>
> Then I tried to skip the "keyboard layout" and my keyboard worked fine!
> I skipped some other parts of the installation e.g. the partitioning of
> the harddisc. Unfortunately I must have skipped the input of the
> root-password as well, cause the install program didn't ask for it any
> more. Eventually I agreed installing the bootloader (I thought it was
> named "quick") and rebooted.
>
> Now, I'm in a mess! I certainly got a system that's booting completely,
> but I haven't got a password! Over and above that, the computer refuses
> to boot from cd or floppy?! But: why? Before I installed Linux, my apple
> did ask for a install-disk if there was no harddisc to boot with!
>
> I don't know a thing about the boot-loader (I'm even not sure about the
> name) and I don't know anything about Linux on a Mac! The bootloader
> somehow seems to be written in the flash-rom of the motherboard. As a
> matter of fact the computer refuses ANY service (except the starting
> sound). Only, if I have all the harddiscs running, the computer boots,
> but it boots the system I can't use!!! AAAAHHH!
>
> On the debian support-pages I found nothing about this bootloader. But I
> do believe, there's always way to start a rescue-system or another
> boot-floppy on a linux-system, at least. The question is how!
>
> Can anyone tell me more about this botloader?
> Is there any HowTo for my problem?
> Can I reactivate the original apple-bootloader?
>
> Thanks a lot for those people, who want to help me!
>
> Mitsch
>
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