PPC: installation on IBM RS/6000 43p 140

Support knowledgebase (olh_ppc_43p140)
Applies to

SuSE Linux PowerPC: Version 7.1

Request:

You have an IBM RS/6000 model 43p 140 and want to install Linux on this machine. The CD is not bootable and none of the hints in the manual works for you.

Procedure:

The CDs are unfortunately not bootable. You need two Diskettes and the following files:

ftp://ftp.suse.com/pub/suse/ppc/update/BETA/kernel/deflt/floppy/zImage.floppy-install.prep

ftp://ftp.suse.com/pub/suse/ppc/update/BETA/kernel/deflt/floppy/ramdisk.floppy-install.gz

Copy the files onto the Diskettes with the following commands:

dd if=zImage.prep of=/dev/fd0
dd if=ramdisk.image.gz of=/dev/fd0

At the OpenFirmware Prompt you enter the following:

boot floppy

After this you see some output similar to:

Loading: Operating System

IPL Loaded at: $07CE1000
Residual-Data Located at: $07F38000
loaded at:     07CE1400 07CF6224
relocated to:  00800000 00814E24
board data at: 07F38000 07F3EA0C
relocated to:  0080B13C 00811B48
zimage at:     07CEC467 07E3A3C9
initrd at:     07E3A3C9 07F34B1D
relocated to:  07E3B000 07F35754
avail ram:     00400000 00800000

Linux/PPC load: root=/dev/sda3

The last line is a prompt. You can and you have to edit this line. Enter the following:

Linux/PPC load: root=0200 load_ramdisk=1 fake_initrd

After this the installation starts properly and can be continued with CD1.

After the succesfull installation you have to copy the Kernel in the boot Partiton. This has to be type "41 PReP Boot Partition". Do the following:

- install the new kernel and newer modutils:
ftp://ftp.suse.com/pub/suse/ppc/kernel/BETA/k_deflt.rpm
ftp://ftp.suse.com/pub/suse/ppc/kernel/modutils.rpm
rpm -Uvh k_deflt.rpm modutils.rpm
- download the PReP boot file:
ftp://ftp.suse.com/pub/suse/ppc/kernel/BETA/deflt/zImage.prep
- install the PReP boot file
fdisk -l
* look for the type 41 partition
dd if=zImage.prep of=/dev/your_boot_partition

See also:
o PPC: Which PowerPC computers are supported by SuSE Linux?

Keywords: PPC, POWERPC, IBM, 140, RS6000

Categories: CHRP

SDB-olh_ppc_43p140, Copyright SuSE Linux AG, Nürnberg, Germany - Version: 15. May 2001
SuSE Linux AG - Last generated: 21. Aug 2002 by olh (sdb_gen 1.40.0)