On 01/07/2014 01:29 AM, Eric Bradshaw wrote:
Several issues come to mind when I read you were asking about
installing Lubuntu on a PPC Mac of that age. After reading what I'm
about to tell you, you may not be willing to put in the time and
resources necessary to get Lubuntu on there.
1. A 900MHz iBook must be a G3 (PowerPC 750fx) processor which could
put you in a catch-22 situation. The computer won't reliably run Linux
without updated firmware, but the computer has to be running Apple Mac
OS 9.1-9.2.2 to be able to install the firmware update. If it's
running this OS already, the firmware update is a free download from
Apple.com. If it's not (Go to the Apple menu --> About this Computer
or About the Mac to see), that's commercial software you'd have to buy
first. If it's somehow running OS X (10.x - I don't see how on 128 MB
RAM, but anyway) than this firmware update must have already been
applied.
It had 10.4 something or other, and all the updates applied... it was
horridly slow
2. That Mac can't boot from USB at all. You have to install via CD and
I would advise from the alternate-powerpc.iso, so be sure you have a
working CD drive. I believe the model you have is detailed here:
https://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/ibook/specs/ibook_900.html
I have been to that link. It does have a working DVD drive that boots
easily... though I had to reset PRAM to see anything from yaboot
3. 128 MB RAM is not enough RAM to install even the alternate
installer. It may be technically possible, but in my personal opinion
you'll need double that.
Go to iLinux (or search the Ubuntu forums) and write down the path to
an xorg.conf file for your model.
http://mac.linux.be/content/xorgconf-files (I believe it's either
powerbook1.txt or powerbook1.txt) you'll need to wget this later.
Actually I haven't needed any xorg conf files... I used Debian Mini PPC,
and have gone about doing it that way
4. Always (when it doubt if it's been done - do it) hold down command
(Apple) + option + P + R at startup before the first chime and until
you hear a second chime. This "Zaps the PRAM" (Parameter RAM) and
resets the date and time. This will avoid errors where things are
being installed "in the future."
There is another way to do this that I used, trying the way you
described didn't fix my black screen issue. I can't remember exactly
what I did, but I booted into single user mode and typed in a few
terminal commands to reset it.... I'd have to search for it to find it,
but that actually worked
5. Insert the Alternate PPC Install CD, restart (or shut off, wait 30
seconds or so and boot up again) with the Alternate PPC Install CD
inside the iBook. If the CD comes out, hit the Eject key (top right)
on the keyboard again. Immediately hold down the "c" key and keep
holding it until the Alternate PPC Install CD starts up the machine.
You may have to hold the "c" key down for a while.
yes it worked for me... there is another way that I used to boot as
well... but it involved 4 keys, and I can't remember what it was...
6. At the black “Boot:” screen prompt, type: live-nosplash
video=ofonly[return]. Install Lubuntu, using entire disk when asked
how to partition. You'll see some "extra" partitions than what you are
used to - don't mess with them.
Lxde is far to heavy for this computer.... unfortunately I couldn't get
Ubuntu to boot without some psychedelic colors on my desktop.
I guess this next part is how to avoid that...
After Installing and Rebooting the First Time
At the Second Yaboot prompt
Welcome to Yaboot Version X.X.XX Enter "help" to get some basic usage
information... boot:
Type: Linux nosplash video=ofonly nouveau.modeset=0[return]
At prompt, type:
wget http://mac.linux.be/files/xorg/powerbook1.txt[return]
At prompt, type:
sudo nano /etc/X11/xorg.conf[return]
Type: control+R[return]
Type: imac-333-trayload.txt[return]
Type: control+O[return]
Type: control+X[return]
Type: sudo reboot[return]
Troubleshooting the install:
1. Try resetting NVRAM. Hold down command(Apple) + option + O + F
while booting to get into Open Firmware.... keep holding those keys
down and you'll see a white screen with some text and the 0> prompt.
This will get you into Open Firmware. This should work to get into
Open Firmware no matter what the OS is on the hard drive - even a
completely wiped hard drive.
At the 0> prompt, type: reset-nvram [return] set-defaults [return]
reset-all [return] The machine should reboot after the last command.
Hold down "C" to boot from the CD.
Ahh... that is it. I reset the NVRAM. I did those commands. This
stuff should be in the wiki, I suppose...
2. If there is more than one OS available (there is already an OS on
the machine) holding down the option key at Startup should give you
boot options. If there is the Alternate PPC Install CD in the CD Drive
- that should be one of the options.
3. If you're not able to boot from the Alternate PPC Install CD by any
other method, try booting from a CD from within Open Firmware. With
the Alternate PPC Install CD in the drive, hold down command(Apple) +
option + O + F... keep holding those keys down and you'll see a white
screen with some text and the 0> prompt. This should get you into Open
Firmware. Even an iMac with a completely wiped hard drive will open
Open Firmware.
At the 0> prompt, type: boot cd:,\\:tbxi[return]
4. About the PRAM Battery: If the computer won't hold the date and
time (even after zapping the PRAM) and you get errors about things
being installed in the future, you probably need a new PRAM battery.
The time and date info is stored in the PRAM Battery, which is
(re)charged by the computer being plugged-in to a wall outlet. This is
NOT a "button-type" PC battery. The PRAM Battery is a "1/2 AA" 3.6
Volts and it's a short, fat cylinder witha tip on one end. If you have
a volt meter to test (it will have to be removed before testing) it
should show between 3.64v to 3.69v or it's on it's way out. The life
expectancy of one of these batteries is 5 years to forever if the
computer is constantly plugged in to a reliable power source. Two
batteries of this type are the Maxell ER3S LS14250 SBAA02 1/2 AA
Lithium Battery, or SAFT Lithium 3.6 Volt Battery LS 14250 1/2 AA -
though at least in the past, there were 5 or 6 different battery
manufacturers of this type. Some of these batteries will look a little
different than others; but all should measure the same size
tip-to-tip. If you don't want to order one online (much cheaper than a
retail store), you can find these batteries at places like Radio Shack
and Batteries Plus as long as you describe it with the actual specs,
and/or bring the old one in to show them. Do yourself a favor and
don't ask for a Mac or Apple battery; this will only confuse the sales
person and make it more likely they will tell you they don't carry it.
Yeah that wiki didn't do a lot to help.... it is very vast and only
helped in a few areas.
There is also this https://wiki.ubuntu.com/PowerPCFAQ#Troubleshooting
and this http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2131612
Eric
I actually installed the basic debian with no gui. I installed xserver
stuff and xorg stuff, slim, rox, and jwm.
it is pretty slick. It runs much faster than OSX, and it has a modern
web browser (iceweasel... basically rebranded firefox) and access to all
kinds of modern programs. nothing would run on that machine, and it was
sooooo slow I decided I needed to spruce it back up to life.
I am still figuring things out to make it as close to a modern looking
interface with all the nice things, but using the SMALLEST programs I
can (as you said 128mb is not enough to run much of anything quickly)
So... in the future if you have an old iBook (or anyone) I will give you
a cheat sheet for programs to install from debian wheezy, and how to
setup rox-filer to be awesome. I am basically trying to make an
installed fat puppy linux... but I don't have all the nice tools to make
JWM look nicer automatically, and I don't have the icons for pmount/rox
figured out yet....
I'll let you know how it all goes!
--
Regards
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