nubus-pmac-users

[Nubus-pmac-users] Greetings - beginning with Linux on 1400c

[1nd0lent X <x1n...@ho...>]

Hi there,

I have only recently learned of the Linux project for Linux PowerMacs. This 
I am quite happy about, as I believe strongly in recycling of older 
computers. My only POSIX machine currently is a B&W G4 running MacOS 10.3.9, 
but this has become the "family computer". Since my wife is doing her thesis 
on this machine, I figure I should use a different machine to try my n00b 
Linux skills on. My other main machine is a PowerBook 1400c, with a 
NewerTech 217 MHz G3 card, 64 MB RAM, and a Focus EtherLAN card. It has its 
limitations, but it is durable, easy to find parts for, and easy to work on. 
It turns out that I have enough spare parts now to make a second 1400.

So now I am looking at Linux possibilities for this machine. MkLinux appears 
to not be updated, and the partition size is a bit limiting. I am probably 
deciding between Debian and Slackintosh. My only concern with the 1400 has 
been the lack of peripheral support, but it appears that with the efforts of 
Tobias, Florian, and others here that much progress has been made this 
summer. So it looks like I chose the right time to start on this project! I 
will still learn the basics of Linux, but the machine will be far more 
useful if I can use it on a network and read from CDs. I think I have a 603 
CPU somewhere which might work as-is, I'd prefer the G3 but it runs 
extremely hot.

I see that this project's kernel and sources are on BitKeeper, but I am not 
clear on how to use their services. I learned of the project via 
Sourceforge, and would love to see the files on there as well. Over the next 
couple of days I will try to make some time to figure out the BK system so I 
can get them. Are Tobias' patches there also? Since my machine is very 
similar I would like to try to run a kernel which has been patched this way.

Thanks and Regards,
CJ Miller

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Re: [Nubus-pmac-users] Greetings - beginning with Linux on 1400c

[Tobias N. <tob...@t-...>]

Hi CJ!

My patches are not in the BitKeeper repository as I don't have access 
to it.

My PB 1400 is now running Debian Sarge quite well - as long as the 64 
MB are enough. You should also have a fast HD.
Graphic, HD and CD-ROM speed is very limited because the PB 1400 
doesn't have any DMA controller - but it is as fast as with MacOS,
Unfortunately I did not get the Focus EtherLAN to work. There is a 
driver available for the 68k Macs which I tried to port to the NuBus 
PowerMac - but I could not find out the way the card needs to be 
addressed.
Network support is possible through PCMCIA very well. I use a Lucent 
Orinoco Silver wireless card which is working perfectly. The 3COM LAN 
cards should also be working perfectly. You have to take care that you 
get a 16-Bit card. CardBus cards aren't supported by the PB 1400.
I got PCMCIA card ejection to work, but there are still problems when 
reinserting them.
Worst thing is that sleep doesn't work - I can get the machine to sleep 
but on wakeup the PMU switches off power.

There are several possibilites of booting into Linux. I recommend to 
use miBoot. It doesn't need MacOS to be installed and can be installed 
on CD-ROMs, floppies and hard disc.
In order to test multiple kernels and installer ramdisk images you 
should use BootX 1.1.3. However on my machine BootX does work properly 
with MacOS up to version 8.6 . With 9.1 the screen stays black after 
starting the kernel.

I'll upload some kernel images to my webspace...

Tobias

P.S.: I recommend to use the G3 CPU as the 603 is far too slow.