Linux on PowerPC FAQ-O-Matic : Booting Trouble :
Performa 6115CD can't boot MkLinux DR3
Firstly let me state that I've used all permutations and combinations of MacOS 8.6, MacOS 7.5, 16bit color, 8bit color, 640x480, 800x600, DR3 Mach Init, DR3 Mach Kernel, Mach Kernel Generic 08, BootX patched with a MkLinux button, Mach Kernel patched for BootX based on Gen 06, zapping the PRAM upon boot [every time you want it to boot], and patience.
A failure looks like: A Mach Init dialog without its buttons that is frozen, or a mac-grey screen; sans cursor.
The combinations that "work" are:
any MacOS + 16bit + DR3 Mach Init + Mach Kernel Gen08 + zapping the PRAMand
any MacOS + 16bit + BootX patch + Mach Kernel Gen06 Patched + zapping the PRAMthe problem with these "successes" is: I need to zapp the PRAM every time I want it to boot [why?!] neither of these will successfully load the vmlinux+installer on neither the DR3 cd, nor on the ramdisk.image.gz from LinuxPPC 2000 (using bootX). [supported?!]
I figure that I may be able to make an install using another machine, and put a propper vmlinux on the system, but this would mean begging someone to let me use their machine, and it would not be fun (nor right).
PS. the BootX readme says: make sure you remap the PDM video 1Meg, but it doesn't mention how; also if this was a major problem the video wouldn't work, but is does in the few limited occasions where the kernel will boot.
mesh: SCSI bus reset detected: waiting for end