Problem with Yaboot

iBookRevivals · **Joined:** 16 May 2012, 17:07 **Posts:** 15

Hello,
first of all, thanks a lot to all tjhe contributors who helped develop CRUXPPC! I've recently tried to turn my iBook (G3) into a Linux-based machine. I tried a few, but I was not fully satisfied, so I treid Cruxppc; the trouble is that even though I followed precisely your handbook, I just can't boot... I guess the trouble is about a misconfiguration from myself in yaboot.conf and fstab... I checked messages from the forum but none of them concerning yaboot/fstab were clear enough to me to find a solution ;-( Would there be an expert ready to help me? If so, then I'll send you my configuration files to have an expert eye on them...
Thanks!
Cyrille

acrux · **Posted:** 17 May 2012, 02:33

Please, explain us if you simply misconfigured yaboot (after a proper installation process) or if our install ISO - crux-ppc-2.7a.iso - fails to boot on your machine.
Anyway i need more info about your configuration to help you.

These could help too:

from CRUX PPC 2.7 Release Note

Code:

ofpath from yaboot is still unable to find devices on Apple's machines using new libata (pata) linux kernel drivers.
We recommend to read the path devices directly through /proc/device-tree/aliases/ anyway are now present ofpathname (from IBM powerpc-utils) and new-ofpath i.e. the reworked script by JoseJX from Gentoo PPC.
As suggestion you ought to use new-ofpath for Apple machines and ofpathname for IBM machines.

from CRUX PPC FAQ

Code:

Q: When I rebooted, yaboot didn't work! How can I fix this?
A: It's a misconfigured yaboot.conf. A way to fix this is to boot the CRUX PPC cd again, mount your crux ppc root partition and check yaboot.conf for errors. You'll also need to run ybin -v -C /mnt/etc/yaboot.conf to update the boot loader once you have finished. This can all be done without chrooting back into your install.

iBookRevivals · **Joined:** 16 May 2012, 17:07 **Posts:** 15

Thanks for your message!
It's actually a problem from my side, about the configuration of yaboot.conf which is not correct.
I tried mintppc but there is no way to have the Airport function without a Mac OS file; I read on your pages that it was easy to have it work, compiling an adapted kernel. I just need to have yaboot work! For now I'll try to use the one auto-created when I installed mintppc...
Grazie mille!
Cyrille

acrux · **Posted:** 17 May 2012, 23:05

well, to give you further help i need to know your 'error message' and yout yaboot.conf and disk partition...

For example, this is from my own iBook G4:

Code:

[98%][H] root@hermes:~# mac-fdisk -l
/dev/sda
        #                    type name                  length   base      ( size )  system
/dev/sda1     Apple_partition_map Apple                     63 @ 1         ( 31.5k)  Partition map
/dev/sda2         Apple_Bootstrap bootstrap               1600 @ 64        (800.0k)  NewWorld bootblock
/dev/sda3         Apple_UNIX_SVR2 swap                 1310720 @ 1664      (640.0M)  Linux swap
/dev/sda4               Apple_HFS B                   41943040 @ 1312384   ( 20.0G)  HFS
/dev/sda5         Apple_UNIX_SVR2 /boot                 196608 @ 43255424  ( 96.0M)  Linux native
/dev/sda6         Apple_UNIX_SVR2 /                   20971520 @ 43452032  ( 10.0G)  Linux native
/dev/sda7         Apple_UNIX_SVR2 /home               25165824 @ 64423552  ( 12.0G)  Linux native
/dev/sda8         Apple_UNIX_SVR2 DEVEL               66712112 @ 89589376  ( 31.8G)  Linux native

Block size=512, Number of Blocks=156301488
DeviceType=0x0, DeviceId=0x0

Code:

[98%][H] root@hermes:~# cat /etc/fstab
#
# /etc/fstab: static file system information
#
# <file system>         <dir>           <type>          <options>       <dump> <pass>

/dev/sda3       swap            swap            defaults        0       0
/dev/sda4       /mnt/macosx     hfsplus         rw,noauto,noatime       1      2
/dev/sda5       /boot           ext2            noauto,noatime  1       2
/dev/sda6       /               reiserfs        defaults        0       0
/dev/sda7       /home           reiserfs        defaults        0       2
/dev/sda8       /mnt/DEVEL      ext4            defaults        0       0
/dev/sr0        /mnt/dvd        udf,iso9660     rw,user,noauto,unhide   0       0
none            /sys            sysfs           defaults        0       0
none            /proc           proc            defaults        0       0
devpts          /dev/pts        devpts          defaults        0       0
tmp             /tmp            tmpfs           defaults        0       0
shm             /dev/shm        tmpfs           defaults        0       0

# End of file

Code:

[98%][H] root@hermes:~# cat /etc/yaboot.conf
## see man yaboot.conf for more details.

boot=/dev/sda2
ofboot=hd:2

device=/pci@f4000000/ata-6@d/disk@0:

partition=5

message=/yaboot.msg
delay=10

timeout=40
install=/usr/lib/yaboot/yaboot
magicboot=/usr/lib/yaboot/ofboot

default=crux

image=/zImage-3.3.6
        partition=5
        label=crux
        root=/dev/sda6
        read-only

image=/zImage-3.1.8
        partition=5
        label=old
        root=/dev/sda6
        read-only

macosx=hd:4
enablecdboot
enableofboot
enablenetboot

defaultos=linux
# EOF

iBookRevivals · **Joined:** 16 May 2012, 17:07 **Posts:** 15

Hello and thanks a lot for your support!

I'm going to re-install CruxxPPC 2.7a today and I will let you know exactly my message errors and what my conf files look like!

Cyrille

iBookRevivals · **Joined:** 16 May 2012, 17:07 **Posts:** 15

Hello!
I just installed CruxPPC 2.7a and yaboot worked! But there is a BIG trouble! The machine doesn't boot though!

"done
found display: /pci@f0000000/ATY, BeeParent@10/ATY, Bee_B, opening... done
copying OF device tree...
Building dt strings...
Building dt structure...
Device tree strings 0x00951000 -> 0x00951d1f
Device tree struc 0x00952000 -> 0x 00959000
Calling quiesce...
returning from prom_init
-"

And the machine freezes!

I can attach in my next message pictures from my (mis)config files.

Cyrille

iBookRevivals · **Joined:** 16 May 2012, 17:07 **Posts:** 15

Here are the exact booting messages:First Stage GNU/Linux Bootstrap
Press l for GNU/Linux,
c for CDROM.

Stage 1 Boot: _
.....................................
Loading second stage bootstrap...
.....................................
Welcome to yaboot version 1.3.16
Enter "help" to get some basic usage information
boot: _
.........................................
boot: crux
Please wait, loading kernel...
...........................................
Elf32 kernel loaded...

zImage starting: loaded at 0x00400000 (sp: 0x00247a50)
Allocating 0x24b2e4 bytes for kernel...
OF version = 'OpenFirmware 3'
Trying to claim from 0x400000 to 0x517000 (àx117000) got fffffff
gunzipping (0x00700000 <- 0x00407000:0x0050ab40)... done 0x21c694 bytes

Linux/PowerPC load root=/dev/sda3 ro
Finalizing device tree using OF tree (promptr=ff8471f8)

the rest I couldn't read from my video camera!

If it is of any clue to help me...
Thanks,
Cyrille

iBookRevivals · **Joined:** 16 May 2012, 17:07 **Posts:** 15

Here are my (mis)config files ;-(

proc /proc proc defaults 0 0
/dev/sda3 / reiserfs defaults 0 1
/dev/sda4 none swap sw 0 0
/dev/sr0 /media/cdrom0 udf,iso9660 user, noauto 0 0

# type name length base ( size ) system
/dev/sda1 Apple_partition_map Apple 63 @ 1 ( 31.5k) Partition map
/dev/sda2 Apple_Bootstrap bootstrap 1600 @ 64 (800.0k) NewWorld bootblock
/dev/sda3 Apple_UNIX_SVR2 crux 54525952 @ 1664 (26.0G) Linux native
/dev/sda4 Apple_UNIX_SVR2 swap 3686400 @ 54527616 ( 1.8G) Linux swap
/dev/sda5 Apple_Free Extra 391104 @ 58214016 ( 191.0M) Free space

Block size=512, Number of Blocks=58605120
DeviceType=0x0, DeviceId=0x0

boot=/dev/sda2
ofboot=hd:2

device=/disk@0:

partition=3

timeout=40
install=/usr/lib/yaboot/yaboot
magicboot=/usr/lib/yaboot/ofboot
enablecdrom

image=boot/zImage
partition=3
label=crux
root=/dev/sda3
read-only

iBookRevivals · **Joined:** 16 May 2012, 17:07 **Posts:** 15

Hi!
I've just tried a few tiny changes in the files but same result! Could you find some misconfiguration elements in my files?
Thanks a lot!
Cyrille

acrux · **Posted:** 18 May 2012, 23:03

your yaboot configuration is fine thus I guess you forget to builtin the correct framebuffer driver in your kernel.

Btw, to speed up the installation process you can avoid to rebuild the kernel copying it from the installation media just before to chroot in your fresh new CRUX PPC system. It's the best practice to save your time installing a slow machine or, directly, if the standard kernel config provided by the CRUX PPC team is already enough for your needs.

Here an example:

Code:

    # cp -a /lib/modules/2.6.36.4/ /mnt/lib/modules/
    # cp -a /lib/firmware/ /mnt/lib/
    # cp -a /ppc/ppc32/zImage.pmac /mnt/boot/

iBookRevivals · **Joined:** 16 May 2012, 17:07 **Posts:** 15

Hello!
Thanks for your diagnostics!
Unfortunately your answer is not clear enough for my rookie knowledge about Linux ;-(

Does it mean I don't have to rerun the installation?
Could I just type your example lines:

# cp -a /lib/modules/2.6.36.4/ /mnt/lib/modules/
# cp -a /lib/firmware/ /mnt/lib/
# cp -a /ppc/ppc32/zImage.pmac /mnt/boot/

Since I've been following (as much as I could) your handbook 2.7, what would your above example lines exactly replace or inbetween which steps should it be typed? I'm not sure!

So far as I understood, I'd need to go for another full installation process, and instead of step 14 (from the handbook 2.7, install from a cd-rom), I'd type your above example lines. But before that apply the patch. And then to step 15 (yaboot commands) and hurrah step 16 !?!??

Thanks a lot for your precise directions to come! I'm next to making a dream come true thanks to your expertise!! A real fast and full distro for my old iBook, supporting Airport!!!

acrux · **Posted:** 20 May 2012, 03:17

you already performed a successfully installation but you did something wrong with your kernel.
I simply suggested a way to directly use shipped kernel/modules avoiding the build kernel (step 14).

You could always boot from the installation ISO and give a try to fix your old installation. Something like:

Code:

# mount /dev/sda3 /mnt
# cp -a /lib/modules/2.6.36.4/ /mnt/lib/modules/
# cp -a /lib/firmware/ /mnt/lib/
# cp -a /ppc/ppc32/zImage.pmac /mnt/boot/zImage

iBookRevivals · **Joined:** 16 May 2012, 17:07 **Posts:** 15

Thanks again for your precious help but when I type cp -a /ppc/ppc32... Il get a cannot stat error!

iBookRevivals · **Joined:** 16 May 2012, 17:07 **Posts:** 15

I re-installed the whole cruxppc to make sure I got it right...
So I followed step 1 to step 13 (even if steps 11, 12 and 13 have not been modified yet!)
Instead of step 14, I typed

cp -a /lib/modules/2.6.36.4/ /mnt/lib/modules/
cp -a /lib/firmware/ /mnt/lib/
cp -a /ppc/ppc32/zImage.pmac /mnt/boot/zImage

and I get cp: cannot stat '/ppc/ppc32/zImage.pmac/': No such file or directory

since I just don't understand much about it, I tried other similar lines like

cp -a /ppc/ppc32/zImage.pmac /mnt/boot/

but same error message!
I'm stuck!! Grrrrr!!

Thanks for your help!
Cyrille

iBookRevivals · **Joined:** 16 May 2012, 17:07 **Posts:** 15

Hello again!

I rebooted from the cd and tried again:

# mount /dev/sda3 /mnt
# cp -a /lib/modules/2.6.36.4/ /mnt/lib/modules/
# cp -a /lib/firmware/ /mnt/lib/
# cp -a /ppc/ppc32/zImage.pmac /mnt/boot/zImage

Everything went well but going to step 15...
yaboot.conf OK but

mkofboot -v

mkofboot: You must specify the device for the bootstrap partition. (ie: boot=/dev/hdaX)

In the yaboot.conf it's ok, boot=/dev/sda2

Any clue ?

Thanks,
Cyrille

iBookRevivals · **Joined:** 16 May 2012, 17:07 **Posts:** 15

Hello!
In case you don't have a solution to my problem, could you please tell me how to know which kernel options to enable in my case? I guess it's about lspci... Or please give me the most common options to be enabled to work for an iBook G3?

Thanks,
Cyrille

iBookRevivals · **Joined:** 16 May 2012, 17:07 **Posts:** 15

Hi again!
This "cannot stat..." error message seems so unreal that, unless you have THE solution to that particular problem, and since my former try was almost successful (a problem with the manually configured kernel) I'd say I'd try to install again and manually configure a kernel, but with the right options ;-) I felt I was so close!!! Until that "cannot stat" mystery!!!

Thanks again!

Cyrille

acrux · **Posted:** 21 May 2012, 01:17

well, the "cannot stat.." error it's because files or directory are missed thus you should check why... you need to perform my suggestion to speedup installation process before to chroot into your fresh system.

About the linux kernel, you'll find our ISO bootkernel config in /usr/src :

Code:

# cd /usr/src/linux-2.6.36.4
# patch -p1 < ../cruxppc-logo.diff  [optional]
# patch -p1 < ../linux-2.6.36.4.patch
# cp ../linux-2.6.36.4.config .config
# make menuconfig [optional]
# make all
# make modules_install
# cp arch/powerpc/boot/zImage.pmac /boot/zImage

iBookRevivals · **Joined:** 16 May 2012, 17:07 **Posts:** 15

Hello!
Bizarre! Thanks to your help I finally managed to launch (properly) CruxPPC but when I type startX, the system freezes and I get 3 white rectangles on the screen with each one the same content, "bash-4.2#"
I guess I'll try another distro and come back to yours (the best) when I know the basics of Linux ;-(
Thanks for all your help!!
Cyrille

ppcaddon · **Joined:** 01 Apr 2010, 08:09 **Posts:** 12

iBookRevivals wrote:

Bizarre! Thanks to your help I finally managed to launch (properly) CruxPPC but when I type startX, the system freezes and I get 3 white rectangles on the screen with each one the same content, "bash-4.2#"

this means your system is running fine... it's Xorg! CRUX PPC iso does install Fluxbox as standard WM but you need a proper .xinitrc in your home to start it.
Remeber CRUX (and CRUX PPC) is a DIY distro.

CRUX PPC

A lightweight GNU/Linux distribution for PowerPC!

Problem with Yaboot

Who is online