Linux-PPC
After testing out installs for debian, linux-ppc, and redhat, I decided on linux-ppc. Although it is based on the annoying redhat package management scheme, I managed to BSD'ify it as much as possible. The rest of this page will outline the steps I took to get it installed and get everything working properly. After I decided on linux-ppc, I decided I needed to install it with specialized options to work minimalistically, and efficiently. Here are the basic steps I used to installing it.
Creating the Install CD
Create a Linux-PPC install cd using the ISO available on the ftp site [ftp://ftp.linuxppc.org/linuxppc-2000-Q4/install/Macintosh/lppc-2k-q4.iso].
You will need to grab Nero Burning Rom in order to burn this [http://www.ahead.de].
After you install Nero, you will need to launch it and close the wizard.
Then, go to File Menu -> Burn Image.
Select the iso image.
Change the type of image to HFS.
Insert a blank cd and Write.
Prepare Your Machine for Install
Before you install Linux-PPC, you will want to re-partition your laptop.
Boot off of the Software Restore cd that came with your tibook by holding down "C" while booting.
Fire up the Drive Setup and repartition so you have at least 2 unused partitions for your linux install (make sure to allocate the right amount for your swap partition).
You must also make sure you have a boot partition (should be around 100mb or so) which *ABSOLUTELY MUST* be a Standard HFS volume, and your normal MacOS parition, which must also be Standard HFS if you want your linux install to be able to read it.
Now, format your new partitions and install any MacOS stuff you want.
Install Linux-PPC
Insert your Linux-PPC boot cd and boot onto it by holding down "C" when you start up.
While it's doing the countdown to bootup, hit the spacebar to get the options menu.
Choose the Ultra-Safe Video Mode Install and hit enter.
It should boot up into the graphical install program and present you with a menu.
At the menu, choose the Partitions button to go to the partitions configuration.
Choose to edit your partition information and set your linux partitions to their corresponding types (linux native/swap), and your boot partition to /boot.
Save your changes to the partition table and reboot.
Boot back into the install by repeating the first 3 steps.
Now, go back to the Partitions menu and format your new linux partitions.
Then mount all of the linux volumes making sure you mount '/' first, also remember to turn your swap on.
Now, go back to the main menu and choose Packages.
I only selected the base install packages by only selecting the stuff in the first top level section and deselecting everything else, I'd suggest installing whatever you want, but make sure you do not install XFree86.
Now, go ahead and install the packages.
Once completed, go ahead and reboot into MacOS.
Once you're in MacOS, go to your Startup Disk control panel and set your boot partition to boot off of.
Now, look in your boot partition and find a yaboot.conf which should have been installed by the install program.
You will need to edit it to reflect the following.
Now, reboot your machine and it should boot off of the boot partition and into your install of Linux-PPC!
Configuration
First thing you'll want to do after installing Linux is get 32-bit color and sound working.
You'll first need to download the newest kernel and build it.
Make sure you enable ATI Rage 128 Support in your Framebuffer settings, and PowerMac DMA Support in your Sound configuration. Here's my config file for 2.4.5-pre1.
Now, compile your kernel and install it in /boot partition.
Edit your yaboot.conf file to reflect the following.
Now, reboot and make sure everything starts up properly, if there's any problems, just boot off of LUNIX OLD.
If you loose your wide screen framebuffer, you'll have to run /usr/sbin/fbset -g 32.
If everything boots properly, now you will need to install XFree86-4
You'll need to download all 3 tgz's of XFree86 off of the XFree86 ftp site (depending on the version available) and compile it using the linux-ppc options.
Once it's compiled and installed you'll need to configure it. Here's my config file for XFree86-4.0.2.
Now, you should be able to start up X with full 32-bit color and wide screen support.
Airport Support
Since airport support isn't included in the 2.4.x kernel, you will have to compile a module for it. I managed to find one for 2.2, and modified it to work with 2.4.x as well as work with the wirelesstools package. Follow the below steps to get it setup.
First, you'll want to enable wireless support in your kernel (or if you used my template, you should be fine).
Second, you'll need to download my hacked airport module source from here and compile it.
Install the module into the /lib/modules/contrib directory.
To install the module, use a command similar to: /sbin/insmod /lib/modules/contrib/airport.o channel=9 transmit_rate=5 eth=1 station_name=myname network_name=networkname enc=3133731337, and put it in your startup so it gets loaded automagically.
Now, to configure your card and set various options, you can install the wirelesstools package.
Mac-On-Linux
Another nice feature with using Linux on your Mac is the ability to run MacOS emulated under Linux. It runs extremely fast and the support seems pretty decent.
To install it, the easiest thing to do is to just install the molrpm off of the linux-ppc cd or an updated one off of the ftp site. Then you will need to recompile your kernel with Mac-on-Linux support compiled in as a module. Or if you used my config file you should be alright.
Now, run molvconfig to setup your framebuffer screen.
Now, mount your main hfs volume for MacOS somewhere (we will assume /mnt/hfs).
Generate your boot rom by using a command similar to: /usr/bin/strip_nwrom "/mnt/hfs/System Folder/Mac OS ROM" /usr/lib/mol/rom/rom.nw.
Now, unmount /mnt/hfs so you can boot mac-on-linux in rw mode.
Configure Mac-on-Linux by editing your /etc/molrc file, this is what I use.
Now, you should be able to boot up macos by using the command startmol.
Ending Notes
This should get you setup with Linux on your laptop. To boot into MacOS while you're starting up, the best way I've found is to hold down the option key to get the boot menu, and choose your Hard Drive.
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