On Tue, Feb 2, 2021, at 4:22 AM, John Paul Adrian Glaubitz wrote:
> Hello!
>
> For anyone wanting to install a current Debian unstable snapshot onto their
> PowerMacs, I'm going to write down a short guide how to make sure GRUB
> gets installed properly (in case the installation fails).
>
> Use either the powerpc or ppc64 image depending on your machine type:
>
> > https://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/ports/snapshots/2021-02-02/
>
> Install normally. After GRUB has been installed and the installation has
> finished, don't reboot the machine yet.
>
> Switch to another console and enter the following commands:
>
> # mount -o bind /dev/ /target/dev/
> # mount -o bind /proc/ /target/proc/
> # mount -o bind /sys/ /target/sys/
>
> # chroot /target/
> # bash
> # grub-install --macppc-directory=/boot/grub
> # export boot_device=$(nvram --print-config=boot-device)
> # nvsetenv boot-device ${boot_device%%\\\\BootX}\\grub
>
> # exit
> # exit
> # umount /target/dev
> # umount /target/proc
> # umount /target/sys
> # exit
>
> Then switch back to the installer console.
>
> I am going to fix the GRUB installation for PowerMacs in the next weeks
> once and
> for all. I have read through the grub-installer code again and now have
> a rough
> idea for a proper fix for the issue. The current fix that Frank
> Scheiner authored
> and that we have been using the past months is actually a bit hacky and
> unreliable
> which is why I will take another approach which will involve a udeb for
> hfsprogs
> so that partman-auto can set up the HFS partition automatically.
>
> Adrian
So I tried this: installed my G4 powerpc mac from the "powerpc" (32-bit) image at the location mentioned by Adrian, then executing the suggested "workaround" steps. When it rebooted, it showed the grub menu and booted into the system I had just before installed.
So... "curiouser and curiouser!" it works on 32-bit, but not on 64-bit.
Rick