[linuxsh-dev] Re: [linux-sh:01337] Re: Debian GNU/Linux on Dreamcast

[Rene M. <re...@li...>]

Thank you very mych for all the help.


YAEGASHI Takeshi wrote:

> 
> Currently it can run only on the restricted environment with
> initrd.  It can handle none of GD-ROM, Audio or Ethernet yet
> from lack of sepcs...  Yes, all the information I could get was
> from Marcus Comstedt's DC site.

Ok is information on these chips interesting to the development team?

> 
> 
> I'm sorry but I cannot release my port publicly, because I'm
> working for NAMCO, which has an NDA on Dreamcast with SEGA
> (actually I've not learned anything from SEGA under this NDA,
> but do they admit this fact?).  So I think I need SEGA's
> permission to release the port.


I see you got the same kind of support over there as we do in Europe 
;-). But seriosly, usualy NDAs only cover the things that they hand over 
to you, and since they havn't... But yours could be different, I only 
know how its done over here. But i don't want to get you in troubel with 
your boss.

> 
> 
>> Q2: Is there an FB device that works with the PowerVR2 GFX. (As I
>> understand It the answer i NO)
> 
> 
> Yes there is.  Framebuffer console is now working fine with
> SuperH Tux(many thanks to Greg:->).  We can login Dreamcast with
> keyboard or via serial port.

Ok so there is an FB for the DC. In what kernel and where do I find it. 
(Is it publicly availible?) I tried the 2.4.0-test9 and the CVS kernel 
from linux-sh but couldnt find FB support.

> 
> 
> 
>> Q3:  I have heard and seen an someone with an NIC (Network Interface
>> Card) but so far haven't had any luck in getting hold of one. Are they
>> available in Japan or US?
> 
> 
> I have one.  It can be ordered from SEGA's site(but in Japanese).
> 
> 	http://www3.csi-msp.com/dcweb/


Ok thet explains it. How do you get one to Europe? My Japanese is about 
as good as your Swedish ;-). Colud you buy me one (ill wiretransfer you 
the money in advance and you could send it to me via TNT or something 
like that.)

> 
> 
> 
>> Q4: I managed to download the x86 cross compile tools from
>> 
>> ftp://ftp.m17n.org/pub/linux-sh/debian/packages-i386/
>> 
>> but for some reason the tools are installed as sh-linux-gcc and not
>> sh-linux-gnu-gcc as the kernel expects, why?
> 
> 
> Because Debian policy expects to be sh-linux-gcc(I heard gnu is
> reserved for Debian GNU/Hurd).  You can feel free to change the
> kernel's Makefile.

Ok... Right now I took the easy way out (symlinks)

> 
> 
> 
>> Q5: I have downloaded the kernel source from the CVS directory but fore
>> some reason it refuses to compile for GENERIC mode. Anyone who got a
>> clue why? Is it broken by default.
> 
> 
> I cannot give any advice to you unless you tell me how it
> fails...


Right now I think its because I got an "old" kernel without FB support 
but tried to compile it in anyway. I'll wait for a new kernel.

> 
> 
> 
>> Q6: Are there any specific switches that should / shouldn't be used when
>> compiling the kernel to the DC. I thought of making a special "class"
>> fro the DC in the compiler script. Is this a good idea?
> 
> 
> Agreed.  I've already added CONFIG_SH_DREAMCAST configuration to
> the kernel.

Great, it make life a lot easyer for newbies.

>> Q8: How far has the Debian GNU/Linux Distribution come? As I understand
>> It its just n it infancy, and where is the help most needed?
> 
> 
> It depends on how long time it takes that GNU toolchain and
> glibc for SuperH get stable, I think.  Currently Niibe and kaz
> are working on it.  I really appreciate that.
> 
Ah the missing link, glibc. But arn't ther some .deb packeges on m17n ?
They moved to old last week. Is it becouse there is a larger upgrade 
going on?


/Rene