This is sort of a continuation of the "Installing Debian" thread, which I have been reading over and over, but would end up too deep in it.

In an attempt to upgrade to Etch, I have killed aptitude and apt-get, among other necessary functions. It looks to me like I have to start from scratch.

Geri wrote in the aforementioned thread,
Quote:

Only install a minimal Woody system without desktop, X server and everything else. This means you shouldn't select any packages in tasksel or dselect during installation. After the installation you can upgrade this minimal system to Sarge and then to Etch on the console. When you have upgraded you can use "tasksel --new-install" to install the rest of the system. Never tinkle with dselect!

As I understand it, because of AmigaOne's special architecture, we cannot directly install Etch or Sarge, but must always start from Woody.

That's fine; I have done that three times since I got my XE five or six years ago. But is it still possible to upgrade to Sarge? Does Debian still have it on their system? I wish I could just change my sources.list back to Sarge and try an apt-get update for myself to find out! (Apparently one can still download install CDs for Sarge, which I was about to do, but quit because of the presumed architecture problem.)

@kilaueabart
Yes you can just change your repository names, first to Sarge then Etch.

ace

@kilaueabart

Quote:

kilaueabart wrote: In an attempt to upgrade to Etch, I have killed aptitude and apt-get, among other necessary functions. It looks to me like I have to start from scratch.

I'll try to create a new install CD, but that will take two or three weeks.

Quote:

Geri wrote in the aforementioned thread, Quote: Only install a minimal Woody system without desktop, X server and everything else. This means you shouldn't select any packages in tasksel or dselect during installation. After the installation you can upgrade this minimal system to Sarge and then to Etch on the console. When you have upgraded you can use "tasksel --new-install" to install the rest of the system. Never tinkle with dselect!

Uhh. there's an error: the correct command is "tasksel --new-install install"

Quote:

As I understand it, because of AmigaOne's special architecture, we cannot directly install Etch or Sarge, but must always start from Woody.

Not directly. The kernel image is the biggest problem. It must be in U-boot format, but Debian does not support U-boot as bootloader (naturally it should be an A1 kernel too).

_________________
A1SE: G3@600MHz, 2GB, 1GBit network card
A1XE: G4@933MHz, 2GB, refitted AC'97 codec
microA1: G3@800MHz, 1GB

- A1 Linux support -

@Geri

Quote:

Not directly. The kernel image is the biggest problem. It must be in U-boot format, but Debian does not support U-boot as bootloader (naturally it should be an A1 kernel too).

That's interesting, I have found that because GRUB upgrading kernels is easier, just by changing the boot line in a1boot.conf. I keep my kernels in /boot and simply copy new kernel modules to my Linux partition. In case of conflict, one can leave old kernel modules around, since they are named exactly in the root folder.

apt-get upgrading should be possible, as I started with the KNOPPIX distro installed by PegXMac A1, then updated my sources list. I then performed apt-get update and upgrade to varying success. Most fails due to a bad server in the sources list. I even managed to add the latest Debian Etch as a source and updated with file from it, at last it was reading from it. Though apt-cdrom (IIRC) didn't work as it couldn't find my cdrom drive, although I had mounted it!

@Geri

Quote:

I'll try to create a new install CD, but that will take two or three weeks.

I wish I was smart enough to do that. Shucks, I'd be happy if I could even understand Hypex' reply to your

Quote:

Not directly. The kernel image is the biggest problem. It must be in U-boot format, but Debian does not support U-boot as bootloader (naturally it should be an A1 kernel too).

Well, I am planning to install a dual-boot drive soon. Maybe then I'll catch on to what a1boot.conf and /boot are all about.

Meanwhile, since I have to do an important download on May 10th from a web site that refuses to open in an Amiga browser, I'll probably go ahead with the BrokenEtch --> Woody --> Sarge -->? Etch process, following your "minimal system" advice.

I'm not 100% sure about this: does that mean I should "update" and "upgrade," but skip "dist-upgrade"? That's what I'll try first, unless I find out that's wrong before I get started.

@Hypex

Quote:

Hypex wrote: @Geri [quote]That's interesting, I have found that because GRUB upgrading kernels is easier, just by changing the boot line in a1boot.conf. I keep my kernels in /boot and simply copy new kernel modules to my Linux partition. In case of conflict, one can leave old kernel modules around, since they are named exactly in the root folder.

Yes, I do it the same way. My previous explanation may be a bit misleading. Debian doesn't support the U-boot kernel and ramdisk image format. Thus you cannot directly compile a kernel for the A1 with Debian's make-kpkg tool. Also Debian expects either a PReP partition or the yaboot bootloader to be installed on PowerPC machines.

Quote:

apt-get upgrading should be possible, as I started with the KNOPPIX distro installed by PegXMac A1, then updated my sources list. I then performed apt-get update and upgrade to varying success. Most fails due to a bad server in the sources list. I even managed to add the latest Debian Etch as a source and updated with file from it, at last it was reading from it. Though apt-cdrom (IIRC) didn't work as it couldn't find my cdrom drive, although I had mounted it!

I think Knoppix uses its own packages. It may not be a good idea to mix them with Debian Sarge/Etch packages.

_________________
A1SE: G3@600MHz, 2GB, 1GBit network card
A1XE: G4@933MHz, 2GB, refitted AC'97 codec
microA1: G3@800MHz, 1GB

- A1 Linux support -

@kilaueabart

Quote:

kilaueabart wrote: @Geri I wish I was smart enough to do that. Shucks, I'd be happy if I could even understand Hypex' reply to your

Quote:

Meanwhile, since I have to do an important download on May 10th from a web site that refuses to open in an Amiga browser, I'll probably go ahead with the BrokenEtch --> Woody --> Sarge -->? Etch process, following your "minimal system" advice. I'm not 100% sure about this: does that mean I should "update" and "upgrade," but skip "dist-upgrade"? That's what I'll try first, unless I find out that's wrong before I get started.

Eh, no! The installer asks you, if you want to install a desktop system, a webserver, a print server and some other things. It also allows you to specifically select packages within dselect. The correct way to do it, is to NOT select the desktop, webserver, etc... options or any other packages, when the installer asks you to do so. The result is a bare woody system.
The next step is to upgrade the system to the next distribution version (sarge/etch). There is a difference between update, upgrade and dist-upgrade. "apt-get update" is used to update the list of available packages. This command must be executed whenever you changed the /etc/apt/sources.lists file. "apt-get upgrade" is only used to install security updates that are provided for every stable Debian release. "apt-get dist-upgrade" is the command that you have to use. It allows you to upgrade the system to the next distribution version, for example from woody to sarge (after you changed the sources.lists file and executed apt-get update).

_________________
A1SE: G3@600MHz, 2GB, 1GBit network card
A1XE: G4@933MHz, 2GB, refitted AC'97 codec
microA1: G3@800MHz, 1GB

- A1 Linux support -

@Geri

Thanks. Fortunately, I hadn't got started yet. But I will as soon as I make sure that my uboot command "root=/dev/hdc2 video=radeon:1280x1024-8@60 l2cr=0x80000000 ide=reverse hde=noprobe hdf=noprobe hdg=noprobe hdh=noprobe ide2=nop"--especially the "hdc..." part--will remain in effect through a woody upgrade. I don't want to wipe out OS4 again.

@Geri

I got started with the reinstallation of Woody, except I got stopped right away.

I managed to solve the first few problems ("No valid controller specified," "Bad Magic Number," "**Device 1 not available," ?"Out of Range: H. Frequency 51 Kz, V. Frequency 44 Hz"), but now as soon as I get past setting language and keyboard I am told "No hard disk drives were detected. ... mount via NFS." Like I told José ...

As a matter of fact I have two hard disks, both on a Sii 680, along with the CD-ROM drive. The one I want to redo is hdc (root=/dev/hdc2 video=radeon:800x600-8@60 l2cr=0x80000000 ide=reverse hde=noprobe hdf=noprobe hdg=noprobe hdh=noprobe ide2=nopro); I have no idea how the install program misses them.

I could try putting the Linux drive back on the VIA686, but is there a better way out? For one thing I believe the loss of DMA might increase the risk of the reinstall going bad. Would I have to move the CD-ROM over too? (For sure, if it comes to that, I'll leave my OS4 drive safely unattached to anything.)

@kilaueabart

Quote:

kilaueabart wrote: @Geri Thanks. Fortunately, I hadn't got started yet. But I will as soon as I make sure that my uboot command "root=/dev/hdc2 video=radeon:1280x1024-8@60 l2cr=0x80000000 ide=reverse hde=noprobe hdf=noprobe hdg=noprobe hdh=noprobe ide2=nop"--especially the "hdc..." part--will remain in effect through a woody upgrade. I don't want to wipe out OS4 again.

I think the hdx=noprobe options don't work, as the IDE drivers are compiled into the kernel. It looks like module parameters are ignored in this case. An as you already know also the video=radeon... option doesn't have any effect.

_________________
A1SE: G3@600MHz, 2GB, 1GBit network card
A1XE: G4@933MHz, 2GB, refitted AC'97 codec
microA1: G3@800MHz, 1GB

- A1 Linux support -

@kilaueabart

Quote:

kilaueabart wrote: @Geri I got started with the reinstallation of Woody, except I got stopped right away. I managed to solve the first few problems ("No valid controller specified," "Bad Magic Number," "**Device 1 not available," ?"Out of Range: H. Frequency 51 Kz, V. Frequency 44 Hz"), but now as soon as I get past setting language and keyboard I am told "No hard disk drives were detected. ... mount via NFS." Like I told José ... As a matter of fact I have two hard disks, both on a Sii 680, along with the CD-ROM drive. The one I want to redo is hdc (root=/dev/hdc2 video=radeon:800x600-8@60 l2cr=0x80000000 ide=reverse hde=noprobe hdf=noprobe hdg=noprobe hdh=noprobe ide2=nopro); I have no idea how the install program misses them.

Hmm, I can't see any problem with your kernel command line. I guess the first harddisk is hda (master on ide0), then comes the CDROM drive and hdc is your Linux harddisk (master on ide1), right?

Quote:

I could try putting the Linux drive back on the VIA686, but is there a better way out? For one thing I believe the loss of DMA might increase the risk of the reinstall going bad. Would I have to move the CD-ROM over too? (For sure, if it comes to that, I'll leave my OS4 drive safely unattached to anything.)

Actually it is recommended to disable DMA during the installation to avoid any data corruption. You should add ide=nodma to the kernel command line. It is not necessary to move the cdrom, but you may have to edit the /etc/fstab file after the installation to correct the device entry of the CDROM.

_________________
A1SE: G3@600MHz, 2GB, 1GBit network card
A1XE: G4@933MHz, 2GB, refitted AC'97 codec
microA1: G3@800MHz, 1GB

- A1 Linux support -

@Geri

Quote:

I think the hdx=noprobe options don't work, as the IDE drivers are compiled into the kernel. It looks like module parameters are ignored in this case. An as you already know also the video=radeon... option doesn't have any effect.

Curiously enough, that option does have some effect. With it set 1280x1024, my monitor refused to display anything but a "bad frequency" sign. Once I changed to 800x600 everything was fine (except the big type).

Quote:

Actually it is recommended to disable DMA during the installation to avoid any data corruption. You should add ide=nodma to the kernel command line. It is not necessary to move the cdrom, but you may have to edit the /etc/fstab file after the installation to correct the device entry of the CDROM.

I interpret this as agreement that I must move my Linux hard drive back to the onboard IDE. Because ide=nodma shouldn't be necessary if drives are on the sii, right?

I also assume that as soon as I have Woody back in, I can go back to my present configuration, including fstab, for the upgrades to Sarge and Etch?

@kilaueabart

Quote:

kilaueabart wrote: @Geri Curiously enough, that option does have some effect. With it set 1280x1024, my monitor refused to display anything but a "bad frequency" sign. Once I changed to 800x600 everything was fine (except the big type).

Looks like I don't understand how this damn module parameters actually work.

Quote:

I interpret this as agreement that I must move my Linux hard drive back to the onboard IDE. Because ide=nodma shouldn't be necessary if drives are on the sii, right?

The A1 Debian woody install CD comes with kernel 2.4, which doesn't support DMA correctly on the A1. ALWAYS DISABLE DMA, IF YOU RUN A 2.4.x KERNEL. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHICH IDE CONTROLLER YOU USE. (sorry for shouting )

It depends on the kernel on the debian install CD, if you have to move the harddisk to the onboard IDE controller to be able to install Debian. I think only kernel 2.4.26 resp. the last install CD image that was released by Ross Vumbaca supports SiI controllers.

Quote:

I also assume that as soon as I have Woody back in, I can go back to my present configuration, including fstab, for the upgrades to Sarge and Etch?

Yupp, that should work (as long as you have installed a 2.6.8 kernel or didn't remove the ide=nodma option yet).

Last edited by Geri on 07-May-2008 at 08:34 AM.

_________________
A1SE: G3@600MHz, 2GB, 1GBit network card
A1XE: G4@933MHz, 2GB, refitted AC'97 codec
microA1: G3@800MHz, 1GB

- A1 Linux support -

@kilaueabart

Quote:

I interpret this as agreement that I must move my Linux hard drive back to the onboard IDE. Because ide=nodma shouldn't be necessary if drives are on the sii, right?

Instead of that, you can download the iso image from here, boot that and it should detect your drive.

http://amigaone-linux.sourceforge.net/download.php

@Geri

Quote:

Yes, I do it the same way. My previous explanation may be a bit misleading. Debian doesn't support the U-boot kernel and ramdisk image format. Thus you cannot directly compile a kernel for the A1 with Debian's make-kpkg tool. Also Debian expects either a PReP partition or the yaboot bootloader to be installed on PowerPC machines.

When we installed kernels into partitions I thought it was PReP snce that is what I specified as the DOS type.

Quote:

I think Knoppix uses its own packages. It may not be a good idea to mix them with Debian Sarge/Etch packages.

I was reading up on Knoppix and saw that Debian was mentioned. Not sure what the base release of my system would be. In any case, the downloaded files seem fine. Unless they stuffed up MOL!

I reinstalled PegXMac onto my old Debian volume but the install didn't turn out right. The keyboard is messed up, slash doesn't work. And MOL won't run. I'd say it is a kernel mismatch and stuff like that.

@Hypex

Quote:

Hypex wrote: @kilaueabart Instead of that, you can download the iso image from here, boot that and it should detect your drive. http://amigaone-linux.sourceforge.net/download.php

I'm afraid this is the image that comes with the older kernel without support for SiI controllers.

Last edited by Geri on 08-May-2008 at 09:37 PM.
Last edited by Geri on 08-May-2008 at 09:36 PM.

_________________
A1SE: G3@600MHz, 2GB, 1GBit network card
A1XE: G4@933MHz, 2GB, refitted AC'97 codec
microA1: G3@800MHz, 1GB

- A1 Linux support -

@Hypex

Quote:

Hypex wrote: @Geri When we installed kernels into partitions I thought it was PReP snce that is what I specified as the DOS type.

Yes, that's true. But there is no support yet for the a1boot.conf file. I don't like the PReP approach, because it is not possible to install more than one kernel (which is bad if the system doesn't work with a newer kernel).

Quote:

I was reading up on Knoppix and saw that Debian was mentioned. Not sure what the base release of my system would be. In any case, the downloaded files seem fine. Unless they stuffed up MOL! I reinstalled PegXMac onto my old Debian volume but the install didn't turn out right. The keyboard is messed up, slash doesn't work. And MOL won't run. I'd say it is a kernel mismatch and stuff like that.

Koppix is based on Debian (not sure if it switched to Ubuntu now), but it uses newer package versions which may require different versions of shared libraries. At least you should check, if all package dependencies are satisfied.

Last edited by Geri on 08-May-2008 at 10:05 PM.

_________________
A1SE: G3@600MHz, 2GB, 1GBit network card
A1XE: G4@933MHz, 2GB, refitted AC'97 codec
microA1: G3@800MHz, 1GB

- A1 Linux support -

@Geri

Quote:

Quote:Hypex wrote: @kilaueabart Instead of that, you can download the iso image from here, boot that and it should detect your drive.http://amigaone-linux.sourceforge.net/download.php I'm afraid this is the image that comes with the older kernel without support for SiI controllers.

The one I intend to use (Monday, with [sigh] ide=nodma) is

http://members.optusnet.com.au/amigaman2/debian-install.iso.bz2

Ross has assured me it is the correct one. At least it doesn't complain that it can't find a hard drive--I've run it as far as "You need to reactivate your swap partition," so I assume it is SiI compatible. If it isn't, I bet it will quickly become obvious...

@Geri

Quote:

I'm afraid this is the image that comes with the older kernel without support for SiI controllers.

Sorry I meant the latest install ISO we have which is already out of date. I just tested it and it can successfully mount my HD partitions on my Sii drives. Might need an ide reverse setting in UBoot.

@Geri

Quote:

Yes, that's true. But there is no support yet for the a1boot.conf file. I don't like the PReP approach, because it is not possible to install more than one kernel (which is bad if the system doesn't work with a newer kernel).

I notice the GRUB loader on x86 machines has multiple lines in the config file and has around four for each volume. Is ours customized, it seems to simple?

Now I see why before the A1 why a CHRP compatible PPC board was specified.

And given the Pegasos has OpenFirmware, why doesn't run MacOS straight off?

Quote:

Koppix is based on Debian (not sure if it switched to Ubuntu now), but it uses newer package versions which may require different versions of shared libraries. At least you should check, if all package dependencies are satisfied.

I don't know if it may be because I booted off your kernel at one stage. But I booted the CD (which should also load the kernel off it), installed it to my old Debian volume, only to find out the fresh install doesn't work anymore. It is strange, some text is even in German.