@ppc_addon

Quote:

Usually CRUX bootkernels doesn't ship with superfluous features like DRM or Sound support simply because they are just bootkernels... if you need a fine tuned kernel you need to build it.

Yes, that's why I did compiled my own kernel. In my last post I didn't said that I changed the default crux configuration in order to enable the DRM, but I cannot enable the KMS by default, otherwise the boot end up with a kernel panic. I should mentioned also that, when I compile the kernel with DRM instead of the radeon frame buffer, I have a speed up in the 2D video rendering, but if I try to start any 3D, for example the small mesa gears demo, the system simply stop working with kernel panic.

Quote:

1GHz is enough to build a kernel

Yes, it is enough, but as I mentioned the compilation of the kernel and modules takes more than 2 hours. By using my mac mini with a 1.4Ghz G4 it takes rougly half an hour.

Quote:

you need to apply the suggested patches to have sm502 framebuffer working again

Yes, I did noticed the patch. The fact is that I don't care for the internal SM502 as I want to use both for the text console and for the X video output only the RadeonHD on the PCI-E.
In my own kernel configuration I completely disabled any SM502 (actually in the kernel is mentioned as SM501) support.

Quote:

you need additional radeon firmware (opt/radeon-ucode) to use 3D with that kind of videocard

Yes, I did included those found at freedsektop. I followed instructions from XOrg radeon how to guide. In the kernel boot log these microcodes are correctly loaded and, as I mentioned in the post the X graphical environment is correctly working.

In the CRUX PPC forum was said "...Modern PCI-E videocards are not recognized by the old linux framebuffer subsystem and they solely can be managed by the new KMS frame buffer that doesn't work properly on Power Architecture. Anyway, Apple's G5 and YDL Powerstation can fallback to use the old OpenFirmware frame buffer...".

As the Sam460 uses u-boot, from what I understand, there is no way of obtaining any text console output (the one used at the kernel boot) from a PCI-E RadeonHD.
The solution I mentioned in the CRUX PPC forum is to boot directly into a video mode, but, if something goes wrong and I must use the text console I must switch using the serial cable, which is very uncomfortable. Also this problem doesn't allow me to try any other distribution installation as they always boot up using a text console, only later you can switch to a graphical mode.

1) Do you "ppc_addon" know any way of solving the issue of the text console at boot from a PCI-E on U-Boot?
2) Are you a sam460 owner?
3) Do you know a solution for the 3D issue I'm getting when the DRM is enabled?
4) Do you know what could be the problem that is preventing me from enabling the kernel mode setting by default when I enable the DRM?

Update: I've found some interesting infos at the DRI dev forum

Last edited by virgolamobile on 25-Feb-2012 at 08:50 AM.
Last edited by virgolamobile on 25-Feb-2012 at 08:09 AM.

yes count me in for a ubuntu install disk for the 460.

also could me in for a debian install disk for the 460.

could we switch the proirity of these two? :>

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@virgolamobile

One of the tasks I have set myself is to setup a sam440 with both AmigaOS and Linux installations (HDD each way) and to run both systems fully up to date.

I have prior experience (administrating from source built linux) administrating my own Linux machine to the degree of running up a fully LFS then package managed build of Linux on x86 and amd64.

I will definitely be looking at how to repeat that on the sam440flex I am buying as I will need to use a Linux for temporary transfer of materials from a 500GB SATA drive with two partitions prior to wiping and re-using it for Document storage or total conversion over to the sam440 as its primary storage

EDIT: I won't be asking for any donations towards this as I don't really expect to complete this task in any short timeframe or at any point beyond getting some core essentials working.

as for Installation of Debian or Crux or RedHat based distributions... seriously!?

Last edited by Belxjander on 23-Mar-2012 at 01:12 PM.

@Belxjander

Actually what would go a ways in convincing me to purchase a SAM would be a virtual environment where I could run Linux or Linux apps while having AmigaOS running. Integrated likeFusion or Parallels where the hosted OS app looks like another app on the host machine.

Last edited by persia on 23-Mar-2012 at 01:09 PM.

@persia

I would just love to get something to that effect running and experimenting with a Linux kernel build for the sam440 and sam460 would be stepping stones towards making this happen.

I reached the point of getting Debian Squeeze up and running on my Sam460ex!!

Well, things are not perferct so far:
- I couldn't get the console working properly (anybody wants to help here?);
- because of the above reason a PC with a serial cable attached to your Sam is required;
- installation is a bit tricky as the Squeeze installer is not coming with a kernel suitable for the Sam460ex;
- also, the installer is is not getting away very well with the Amiga partiotionig scheme;
- the DRM (Direct Rendering Manager, aka hardware acceleration) it's very picky, stubborn and unstable;
- the sound is not working, and I don't think is going to work on Linux as I couldn't find drivers for it.

The ISO is a costomised version of the standard Debian Squeeze network install, so you need a fast Internet connection as everything will be downloaded from the Net.

You'll find instruction, the ISO and some info at my site.


A screenshot of an XFCE session with 2D hardware acceleration enabled and compositing on (note the window shadows).

Please, let me know in this forum your impressions, advices and don't be angry with me if the above ISO installation will just destroy all your Sam460ex, all data on your harddisk and all devices attached to it: you've been warned!

Last edited by virgolamobile on 01-May-2012 at 05:33 PM.
Last edited by virgolamobile on 01-May-2012 at 10:42 AM.
Last edited by virgolamobile on 30-Apr-2012 at 10:19 PM.
Last edited by virgolamobile on 30-Apr-2012 at 10:17 PM.

@virgolamobile

wow, great work!!

_________________
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***
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@virgolamobile

Nice. How about some Hardinfo Benchmarks for the mix.

http://amigaworld.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=35671&forum=34

apt-get install hardinfo to install .

I managed to get Squeeze installed on My Sam440ep-Flex.
The Console is an issue there too.
It works with a Raden 9250 but not a Radeon HD. So also have to use serial output to a PC. I had to use a Radeon 9250 to set it up but after installing Gnome
switched cards.
I managed to make a custom iso from the Acube official one. I used the Debian 5010 businesscard install and copied the Sam setup files etc files to it and it resolves the versions to intall via the net giving the 3 choices Squeeze,Wheezy or Sid.
Partitioner works ok, I followed the Acube instructions of using the space at the end of hard drive.

The Sam-Flex version uses agpgart but the config files are not setup propery by the installer for some reason so I had to put these in myself or the GuI crashes.
Sound has an issue to for some reason.

This is the part of the sh that should do the config but does not .

if [ "$SAM_FLEX" == "" ]; then
cat /target/etc/modprobe.d/drm-disable
install drm /bin/true
install radeon /bin/true
install agpgart /bin/true

EOF
fi

Last edited by Spectre660 on 02-May-2012 at 11:43 AM.
Last edited by Spectre660 on 02-May-2012 at 11:42 AM.
Last edited by Spectre660 on 02-May-2012 at 11:35 AM.

_________________
Sam460ex : Radeon Rx550 Single slot Video Card : SIL3112 SATA card

@persia

I'll definitely work on getting both an AmigaOS and Linux Dual booting at least and go from there to see what I can do practically for making any kind of virtualization setup functional.

I'll take a look at getting Linux working virtualized in some way on top of AmigaOS 4.x as my preferred option.

I'll just see what I can do towards that but the current design aspects I have put back together for Polymorph-VM may need re-thinking based on what feedback has happened on these forums.

I'll do what I can with it and try to get beyond a proof-of-concept.

@thread

A simple question, sheer curiosity, no flaming intent:

Why would someone run Linux, any flavour of it, on a Sam board?
I can understand underpowered, overpriced hardware when it's needed to run AmigaOS. But what's the point of putting a mainstream Os on top of that?

@resle

Quote:

I can understand underpowered, overpriced hardware when it's needed to run AmigaOS. But what's the point of putting a mainstream Os on top of that?

In short office and some apps. Yes, AmigaOS is faster but SAM is enough for some Linux versions and not that old ...

Surely, need would die out so much with more apps ported, but it would be good to have all systems sold as dual boot. Linux is also an appealing name as only free Windows alternative.

_________________
Future Acube and MOS supporter, fi di good, nothing fi di unprofessionals. Learn it harder way!

@virgolamobile

Thanks for the guide.

Only real issue seems to be the sound. Can Acube help here?

Quote:

Currently known issues No sound, nothing I can do here as I couldn't find any sound driver for the SM501 / SM502

_________________
Future Acube and MOS supporter, fi di good, nothing fi di unprofessionals. Learn it harder way!

@resle

Becasue you can.
I find myself experimenting more and more with USB Live Linux versions on a Windows PC. Boot from usb and play around no changes to the hard drive. I must say that Debian Squeeze is very nice. I think that it may become my second favorite OS after Amiga OS 4.x So why not run it on my Sam as well.

Quote:

resle wrote: @thread A simple question, sheer curiosity, no flaming intent: Why would someone run Linux, any flavour of it, on a Sam board? I can understand underpowered, overpriced hardware when it's needed to run AmigaOS. But what's the point of putting a mainstream Os on top of that?

_________________
Sam460ex : Radeon Rx550 Single slot Video Card : SIL3112 SATA card

@vox

So the pattern is:

1) Mr. X loves Amiga, he wants that Amiga feeling. So, he wants to run AmigaOS
2) Mr. X buys a Sam for around €900
3) Mr. X needs some Office and miscellaneous apps that he can't get under AOS
4) Mr. X then force feeds some specially trimmed version of Linux into his Sam, for dual booting when he needs to, say, write a document

Got it.

@resle

"Mr. X then force feeds some specially trimmed version of Linux into his Sam, for dual booting when he needs to, say, write a document"

Only when/if he wants to use some Linux tool for document writing or if he has no time to set up things on AOS4 side.
Basic docx writing can be done easily with CW but for the rest one needs to tweak and tune etc...

I think people do not buy Amigalikes just to write documents, do they?

Last edited by KimmoK on 02-May-2012 at 01:00 PM.

_________________
- KimmoK
// For freedom, for honor, for AMIGA
//
// Thing that I should find more time for: CC64 - 64bit Community Computer?

@resle

Quote:

1) Mr. X loves Amiga, he wants that Amiga feeling. So, he wants to run AmigaOS 2) Mr. X buys a Sam for around €900 3) Mr. X needs some Office and miscellaneous apps that he can't get under AOS 4) Mr. X then force feeds some specially trimmed version of Linux into his Sam, for dual booting when he needs to, say, write a document

Currently true, but also: why NOT having Linux when it can be run on merely anything and provides useful and quite efficient OS?

_________________
Future Acube and MOS supporter, fi di good, nothing fi di unprofessionals. Learn it harder way!

@resle

also good for benchmarking aganst OS4.1 native apps on the same machine.
For instance the Sunspider Benchamark Using OWB-MUI under OS4.1 Gives 29,862.8ms.
Under Debian Linux on the same machine with the Epiphany browser it gives 16,515.9ms.
Almost twice as fast.
OS4.1 feels much faster than Debian on my machine so the difference must be in the Browsers and not the OS . Lets the developer know that more can be done.

Last edited by Spectre660 on 02-May-2012 at 02:02 PM.

_________________
Sam460ex : Radeon Rx550 Single slot Video Card : SIL3112 SATA card

@virgolamobile

I dont know if this will help but this is a modified Sh file that is executed by preseed on the sam 440ep install CD .
this part seems to fail but the rest works. If these settings are not done manually then the GU crashes .


if [ "$SAM_FLEX" == "" ]; then
cat /target/etc/modprobe.d/drm-disable
install drm /bin/true
install radeon /bin/true
install agpgart /bin/true

EOF
fi

========================================================================
#!/bin/sh

SAM_FLEX=""
if [ "$(grep flex /proc/cmdline)" != "" ]; then
SAM_FLEX="-flex"
fi

ROOT_PARTITION=`mount | grep '/target\ ' | sed 's|\ [^

_________________
Sam460ex : Radeon Rx550 Single slot Video Card : SIL3112 SATA card

@vrana

I am not a fan at all of anything Linux/Unix. For me, installation never goes as planned and installing apps/drivers can be a bloody nightmare. This may sound a bit harsh but I bought my SAM460 to run the newest Amiga OS . My PC can be tasked to run Ubntu/Linux if needed.

Drewlio77

Last edited by Drewlio77 on 02-May-2012 at 03:24 PM.

@Spectre660

Quote:

Lets the developer know that more can be done

True, but I believe that things like this are just yet another sign that the developer to address is nothing but Hyperion, and the "more that can be done" is nothing but "port AmigaOS to X86 or Arm", period.

Last edited by resle on 02-May-2012 at 04:11 PM.