Debian on PowerBook 3400c
Hello,
With some effort, I was able to get the latest Debian SID distribution
working on a PowerBook 3400c, using the following methods:
1) BootX:
Using BootX from Mac OS may be the most straightforward way to boot a
Linux kernel or kernel/initrd on an Old World Mac, including the
PowerBook 3400c.
However, Debian's Linux config file contains this line:
CONFIG_BOOTX_TEXT=y
Due to an apparent bug in BootX that has existed for many years,
CONFIG_BOOTX_TEXT=y causes BootX to hang.
I've confirmed that a custom kernel with CONFIG_BOOTX_TEXT not set boots
via BootX without any problems.
2) iQUIK
A modified Debian Linux kernel (that still has CONFIG_BOOTX_TEXT=y)
boots on a PowerBook 3400c, if the kernel is recompiled with the
following config file changes:
a) Remove DEBUG and KEYS entries (this is necessary whenever recompiling
any Debian Linux kernel).
b) Change "CONFIG_SCSI_MESH=m" to "CONFIG_SCSI_MESH=y". I'm not sure why
this change should be necessary when booting a kernel/initrd, but with
"CONFIG_SCSI_MESH=m", the kernel hangs while examining PATA devices.
If anyone is interested, I can post a summary of what is needed to boot
Linux on a PowerBook 3400c using iQUIK.
-----
Adrian,
If possible, please change "CONFIG_SCSI_MESH=m" to "CONFIG_SCSI_MESH=y"
in the default Debian Linux config file for Old World Macs. That would
allow the default Debian Linux kernel/initrd to boot on a PowerBook
3400c without any need to recompile.
Also, unless there is a reason why it is needed (e.g. on PowerPC systems
that use GRUB?), please also remove "CONFIG_BOOTX_TEXT=y" to allow BootX
to be used to boot the default Debian Linux kernel/initrd on a PowerBook
3400c.
thanks
-Stan Johnson
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