Linux on PowerPC FAQ-O-Matic : Hardware Compatibility : G3/G4 Upgraded PowerMacs :
G3 Upgrades on NON AV 6100
Info below is really a summary of stuff garnered from postings to comp.os.linux.powerpc.
The following works for me on a NON AV 6100/60 with MacOS 8.6 installed on the HFS boot partition with a Newer Techmology card (http://www.newertech.com) - their part no 7MXPA6100.
It DID NOT work with the equivalent card from Sonnet Technology (http://www.sonnettech.com) - their part no C61-G3-512-250.
Basic procedure:
1. change file type of MkLinux Booter from 'scri' to 'INIT' using ResEdit so that it boots after the G3 enabling extension.
2. Ensure, by name of Extension or use of Conflict Catcher 8, that the G3 enabling extension (MAXpwr for Newer, Crescendo for Sonnet) runs before the MkLinux Booter.
3. Install Generic #7 kernel parts (from http://www.mklinux.org/development/kernels.html ), that is, put the Mach Kernel in the MacOS file system Extensions folder and the vmlinux in /mach_servers in the MkLinux file system. The MkLinux Booter from the DR3 CDs was used
4. Added 'mach_options= bus_speed_hz=30000000' line to lilo.conf
With the Newer G3 upgrade, the BogoMips reported is about 8x over that for the motherboard PPC601. Running KDE and most everything else is a lot brisker.
I do not know enough to determine why this procedure did not work for the Sonnet card. The problem appears to be with the Mach Kernel, not the Booter or the vmlinux. Symptomatically, it does the same as it did with the Newer card before I switched from the stock DR3 kernel to Generic #7; the Booter splash window displays the mach_options, boot partition and 'System booting...' and then the machine stares at its navel. My SWAG is that whatever was done in Generic #7 to stop the micro kernel believing it was dealing with an AV equipped machine and get it to use DRAM video may not work for the Sonnet card.
r.barrett@ftel.co.uk
barsamian@entranceramp.com
It works great! Now I'm trying to build a cross-debugging kernel to see if I can adjust the startup code to avoid the problem that I think is happening with my Sonnet G3 upgrade card (which works like a champ in OS 8.5, 8.6, and 9.x):
When linux boots with the G3 card enabled by the Crescendo extension (newest download - September 2003) using MkLinux booter, it freezes. Bootx, which never worked properly, at least gets to fill the display with colored hash before it locks up.
Examining the code, I think what is happening is the kernel sees the 750 processor (G3), and automatically assumes that it's a new-world ROM, and then tried to manipulate the G3 proessor using the PCI/ROM interface present on newer Macs, but absent on this PowerPC 6100. Somehow, the NewerTek card doesn't let the kernel realize there's another processor present.
Of course, the NewerTek accelerators are reported to work, so this may *NOT* be what's happening.
Maybe it provides Soft-ROM code that mimics the NewWorld ROMS? Or hides the processor from the kernel-probe code?
To find out, I need a little advice - how do I make my compiled kernel boot with MkLinux booter (the only working booter I can use)? Do I have to uncompress it, or is there a specific way to make a "NOT_MACH_KERNEL" that is really a vmlinux file compiled on YellowDog?
As soon as I can boot my new kernel, I can try to serial-debug the boot-up and see if my theory is correct.
Otherwise, I'll have to bug Sonnet into showing me the necessary steps to enable the Crescendo G3 (400/1M) card so I can write a module that will load and enable the Crescendo card *AFTER* booting into linux...
-G!
neuf@power.net
neuf@power.net
Sonnet has updated their mkLinux compatability listing