Okay, 2nd response to this, with additions. I've added a small section to the wiki page that includes this link:
http://halblog.com/binaries/tftpboot.tgz That's my tftp boot setup with PXE Linux. I archived it and also triple-checked that this setup worked before (and after) archiving it in a .tgz file. Download that file and unpack it in a directory and temporarily point your tftp server to that directory (and verify the change is made, restarting any daemons that are effected, like xinetd). Then try it. If that doesn't give you a working setup to start with, I'm not at all sure what to do next, since that's my entire working tftp/pxe setup and there should be no issue with any other configuration issues outside of the files in the tarball. I am beginning to wonder, and would like to hear from someone who has been using a net4521 about if there's some hardware issue that might be causing this problem. Hal On Mar 9, 2011, at 11:44 AM, Blake Hodder wrote: > I appologize, I originally had it set up as the wiki guide described and > changed it a bit. Now I have just finished deleting everything I had and > followed the guide once again and still have the same issue. Once I hit > return to boot the install the kernel loads and the screen goes blank. > And this IS with my system setup according to the guide. I am using a > ubuntu distro using minicom. If there is other info needed please let me > know. > > Blake > > On 11-03-09 11:46 AM, Hal Vaughan wrote: >> On Mar 9, 2011, at 9:42 AM, Blake Hodder wrote: >> >>> Sorry, yes it is still going blank after loading initrd. My default >>> config file now looks like this: >>> >>> # D-I config version 1.0 >>> CONSOLE 0 >>> SERIAL 0 19200 0 >>> DISPLAY boot.txt >>> >>> DEFAULT squeeze_i386_install >>> >>> LABEL squeeze_i386_install >>> Kernel debian-installer/i386/linux >>> append initrd=debian-installer/i386/initrd.gz console=ttyS0,19200,8n1 >>> IPAPPEND 1 >>> prompt 0 >>> timeout 0 >> I copied and pasted this file into my config file and it worked fine, so the >> problem isn't in the config file. >> >> Just to be sure, I used grep and searched that whole directory tree for my >> tftp boot setup and the only place 19200 is used is in >> /tftpserv/pxelinux.cfg, so it's not specified in other files anywhere, and, >> as Simon pointed out, it's the append line that makes it go blank after >> initrd loads, but that checked out. >> >> I don't want to cast blame, but I do need to make an important point, and >> this is after spending a few hours working on this and re-attaching my >> serial cable so I could check on a lot of this. You said, in your words, 'I >> did follow the wiki to a "t".' Yet I've spent time checking on issues that >> could be typos, interpretation problems in how the code parses the config >> files (for instance, the SYSLINUX wiki says keywords are case sensitive and >> is specific about this, so I did boot test with "Kernel" and "kernel" and >> played around with that) because you are working with your own configuration >> and setup. >> >> I'm sure, if you're using tftp booting for other systems, you have a setup >> that is working for all them, but at this point I would suggest setting up a >> separate configuration, just for this setup, then change the config files >> you're using to point to that setup, that's EXACTLY like he one in the wiki. >> That would include using the files specifically from those links, using the >> config files exactly as copied-and-pasted from there (or from the pages it >> links to), and matching it perfectly. >> >> It's quite possible the issue is something small, as a typo or misnamed >> directory, or two files with the same name so one ends up in the wrong >> directory. >> >> So, please, try a setup exactly as described and see what that does. >> >> Then, once it works, start adding stuff from your normal tftp boot server >> config and setup until it breaks. Then you'll find what's not working. >> >> >> >> Hal >> >> >>> Blake >>> >>> On 11-03-09 10:29 AM, Hal Vaughan wrote: >>>> On Mar 9, 2011, at 8:09 AM, Blake Hodder wrote: >>>> >>>>> Ok, So I have modified my default config to match that of the walk >>>>> through and the kernel loads to the point of ready and then still a >>>>> blank screen. This is with using 19200,8n1. I have made sure that all >>>>> the any where in the files are set to use a console speed of 19200,8n1. >>>>> >>>>> If it is a console speed problem, what files would have the speed >>>>> setting in them that I would need to change? >>>> First, what do you mean by "loads to the point of ready"? Is it still >>>> going blank after loading initrd? If so, post the default config file >>>> you're using -- if you are still using include statements, include all the >>>> included files as well. >>>> >>>> I'll go back and double check on any other places the speed needs to be >>>> specified in case I left one out. >>>> >>>> >>>> Hal >>>> >>>>> Blake >>>>> >>>>> On 11-03-09 12:25 AM, Hal Vaughan wrote: >>>>>> On Mar 8, 2011, at 11:09 PM, Blake Hodder wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> Here are the contents of my default config: >>>>>>> >>>>>>> # D-I config version 1.0 >>>>>>> CONSOLE 0 >>>>>>> SERIAL 0 19200 0 >>>>>>> include debian-installer/i386/boot-screens/menu.cfg >>>>>>> default debian-installer/i386/boot-screens/vesamenu.c32 >>>>>>> prompt 0 >>>>>>> timeout 0 >>>>>>> >>>>>>> After I hit return on install I get the 2 lines: >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Loading debian/squeeze/i386/linux..... >>>>>>> Loading debian/squeeze/i386/initrd.gz.........ready. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> and then a blank screen. >>>>>> Okay, I don't know tftp that well or PXE Linux. Without looking through >>>>>> the file you include, I can't be sure what it does -- I'd suggest >>>>>> working with the default config file as close to the original posted to >>>>>> be sure. But, for now, post the menu.cfg file and let's see that. >>>>>> >>>>>> Also, one thing I did, and this means I'm no longer working with a stock >>>>>> install (and I forgot about this until just a moment ago when I was >>>>>> testing this), so I'm sorry I didn't mention this earlier. One "trick" >>>>>> I did to just make sure that<return> always gave the install I wanted >>>>>> is to remove or change the name of /tftpserv/boot.txt. (Actually, I >>>>>> stuffed it in my pxelinux.cfg directory since that's where the other >>>>>> config files are.) By removing it, you don't get a boot menu for PXE >>>>>> Linux and don't have problems with accidentally hitting arrow keys (even >>>>>> though I'm a competitive ballroom dancer, you'd be surprised at how >>>>>> clumsy I can be!). That'll force a default install. >>>>>> >>>>>> I'm not sure that your problem is related to boot.txt, but I thought I >>>>>> should mention it, just in case. >>>>>> >>>>>> Now, as to your blank screen -- I got that, many times, and was trying >>>>>> to work at 115200 instead of 19200. And what fixed it for me was >>>>>> finding out just how to get the parameters into the file "default." I >>>>>> suspect that's the issue here. Don't use the include directive for now. >>>>>> That's where you're varying from the instructions on the page I wrote >>>>>> up and from the two Debian reference pages I link to. And it's likely >>>>>> not coincidence that's where you did something different AND that's >>>>>> where console speed becomes an issue. >>>>>> >>>>>> Look at this version of "default": >>>>>> >>>>>> SERIAL 0 19200 >>>>>> CONSOLE 0 >>>>>> DISPLAY boot.txt >>>>>> >>>>>> DEFAULT squeeze_i386_install >>>>>> >>>>>> LABEL squeeze_i386_install >>>>>> kernel debian/squeeze/i386/linux >>>>>> append vga=normal console=ttyS0,19200,n8 >>>>>> initrd=debian/squeeze/i386/initrd.gz -- >>>>>> LABEL squeeze_i386_linux >>>>>> kernel debian/squeeze/i386/linux >>>>>> append vga=normal console=ttyS0,19200,n8 >>>>>> initrd=debian/squeeze/i386/initrd.gz -- >>>>>> LABEL squeeze_i386_expert >>>>>> kernel debian/squeeze/i386/linux >>>>>> append priority=low console=ttyS0,19200,n8 vga=normal >>>>>> initrd=debian/squeeze/i386/initrd.gz -- >>>>>> LABEL squeeze_i386_rescue >>>>>> kernel debian/squeeze/i386/linux >>>>>> append vga=normal console=ttyS0,19200,n8 >>>>>> initrd=debian/squeeze/i386/initrd.gz rescue/enable=true -- >>>>>> >>>>>> PROMPT 1 >>>>>> TIMEOUT 0 >>>>>> >>>>>> I know some of those lines wrapped (in Apple Mail, they don't), but use >>>>>> that format and don't include, for now, just cut and paste the text in >>>>>> to the file default. Also, be sure the parameters are on a separate >>>>>> line in each LABEL section. I've seen a friend forget that and append >>>>>> them (like the older GRUB, was it?) needed them done and it doesn't work >>>>>> that way. >>>>>> >>>>>> In my previous experience, I found that once initrd loaded and control >>>>>> is passed to it, unless the speed is specified correctly in the config >>>>>> file (either the default one or whichever one you're using), console >>>>>> communication stops. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Hal >>>>>> >>>>>>> Blake >>>>>>> On 11-03-08 11:52 PM, Hal Vaughan wrote: >>>>>>>> On Mar 8, 2011, at 10:10 PM, Blake Hodder wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Hi there, >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> My apologies, and when I get to the prompt instead of having a "boot:" >>>>>>>>> prompt I have a text menu that I have to select install by using my >>>>>>>>> arrows and enter. It is almost like is trying to do a graphical >>>>>>>>> install >>>>>>>>> but I am using the netboot files with the console modifications. >>>>>>>> Okay, I hooked up the serial cable and went through this again. I was >>>>>>>> trying to remember if there could be another menu later, or if there >>>>>>>> were more choices, but that I never saw them due to the 15 character >>>>>>>> width issue. When I booted to the NIC, I got this (it's edited to >>>>>>>> show in lines, instead of short 15 column lines): >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Intel UNDI, PXE-2.0 (build 082) >>>>>>>> Copyright (C) 1997,1998,1999 Intel Corporation >>>>>>>> VIA Rhine III Management Adapter v2.43 (2005/12/15) >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> CLIENT MAC ADDR: 00 00 24 CD 92 34. >>>>>>>> DHCP.\\||//--\\||//--\\|| >>>>>>>> CLIENT IP: 172.16.7.205 MASK: 255.255.0.0 DHCP IP: 172.16.7.1 >>>>>>>> GATEWAY IP: 172.16.7.1 >>>>>>>> TFTP. >>>>>>>> TFTP.- >>>>>>>> PXELINUX 4.02 debian-20101014 Copyright (C) 1994-2010 H. Peter Anvin >>>>>>>> et al! >>>>>>>> PXE entry point found (we hope) at 9DEE:0106 via plan A >>>>>>>> UNDI code segment at 9DEE len 1966 >>>>>>>> UNDI data segment at 947D len 9710 >>>>>>>> Getting cached packet 01 02 03 >>>>>>>> My IP address seems to be AC1007CD 172.16.7.205 >>>>>>>> ip=172.16.7.205:172.16.7.12:172.16.7.1:255.255.0.0 >>>>>>>> BOOTIF=01-00-00-24-cd-92-34 >>>>>>>> TFTP prefix: >>>>>>>> Trying to load: pxelinux.cfg/01-00-00-24-cd-92-34 >>>>>>>> Trying to load: pxelinux.cfg/AC1007CD >>>>>>>> Trying to load: pxelinux.cfg/AC1007C >>>>>>>> Trying to load: pxelinux.cfg/AC1007 >>>>>>>> Trying to load: pxelinux.cfg/AC100 >>>>>>>> Trying to load: pxelinux.cfg/AC10 >>>>>>>> Trying to load: pxelinux.cfg/AC1 >>>>>>>> Trying to load: pxelinux.cfg/AC >>>>>>>> Trying to load: pxelinux.cfg/A >>>>>>>> Trying to load: pxelinux.cfg/default >>>>>>>> ok >>>>>>>> XELINUX 4.02 debian-20101014 Copyright (C) 1994-2010 H. Peter Anvin >>>>>>>> et al >>>>>>>> boot: >>>>>>>> Loading debian/squeeze/i386/linux..... >>>>>>>> Loading debian/squeeze/i386/initrd.gz.........ready. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> The "Trying to load:..." lines are the TFTP boot or PXE Linux >>>>>>>> searching for a config file, then settling on the default config. >>>>>>>> After that, the "boot:" is the only prompt I get. Once I hit<return>, >>>>>>>> I get the next two lines, followed by some LONG lines, then a chance >>>>>>>> to pick the language, which is the start of the installer. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> So what you're saying is that you don't get "boot:", you get a choice >>>>>>>> of which type of install to do instead? >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Could you post the contents of your /tftpserv/pxelinux.cfg/default >>>>>>>> file? >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Hal >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Blake >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On 11-03-08 10:06 PM, Hal Vaughan wrote: >>>>>>>>>> Okay -- remember, please, to respond to the list, since whatever >>>>>>>>>> goes wrong and whatever fixes it could help a lot of people. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> It also means I'm not the only one helping out, in case someone else >>>>>>>>>> finds something wrong that I miss. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Okay, then is the prompt where things go wrong the first prompt from >>>>>>>>>> PXE Linux, after it boots to Linux? The one where you get "boot:" >>>>>>>>>> and can just press<enter>? If so, when you get that prompt, what >>>>>>>>>> are you doing? >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Hal >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> On Mar 8, 2011, at 8:49 PM, Blake Hodder wrote: >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Hi, >>>>>>>>>>> That is the wiki page that I did follow and I did set ConSpeed to >>>>>>>>>>> 19200 as well as my minicom console. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Blake >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> On 11-03-08 09:22 PM, Hal Vaughan wrote: >>>>>>>>>>>> I don't know how it'll compare to installing on a Net5501, but I >>>>>>>>>>>> wrote that up in the Soekris wiki just a few weeks ago. Here's >>>>>>>>>>>> the page: >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> http://wiki.soekris.info/Debian_Squeeze_On_Soekris >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> (I don't know if that's the page you're talking about or not.) >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> I was careful to pay attention to the issue of baudrate, since it >>>>>>>>>>>> can really mess up your work. (I honestly feel if it had been >>>>>>>>>>>> better documented in previous pages on installing Debian, it would >>>>>>>>>>>> have saved me 5-10 hours of troubleshooting.) >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> I'm not 100% clear, from what you're saying, if you mean you get >>>>>>>>>>>> to the "boot:" prompt and then are having trouble (which is where >>>>>>>>>>>> you could specify different options for booting), or if it's >>>>>>>>>>>> another point. However, it is important to remember you have to >>>>>>>>>>>> specify the bad rate in the /tftpserv/pxelinux.cfg/default file >>>>>>>>>>>> (where /tftpserv is your directory path to the tftp/pxe setup). >>>>>>>>>>>> You will also have to specify the baud rate at a few other points, >>>>>>>>>>>> as well. I mention that o the page I linked to above. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> If that's the page you're following, let us know and also please >>>>>>>>>>>> tell us exactly what the text for the last prompt you see before >>>>>>>>>>>> things go bad is. Also, is it at the section where (for some >>>>>>>>>>>> reason), the output is limited to only 15 characters wide? (That >>>>>>>>>>>> could also be a Net5501 thing, so I don't know if you'll see that >>>>>>>>>>>> on other systems.) >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> Also, at the bottom of that wiki page, there's another page to my >>>>>>>>>>>> blog website, where I have an image I created on a Net5501. Off >>>>>>>>>>>> the top of my head, I don't know how similar the hardware is, but >>>>>>>>>>>> I have info on how you can copy that image and install it on >>>>>>>>>>>> another Net5501. It's possible that image may work on a Net4521, >>>>>>>>>>>> but I don't know. If so, it might save you some trouble and let >>>>>>>>>>>> you start with a basic Debian Squeeze image you can then modify to >>>>>>>>>>>> your heart's content. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> Scott Newell pointed out the difference between baud and bps. >>>>>>>>>>>> Just for clarity, is 19200 what you set ConSpeed to? >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> Hal >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> On Mar 8, 2011, at 2:04 PM, Blake Hodder wrote: >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> Hi, >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> I have a Soekris net4521 and I am trying to install Debian >>>>>>>>>>>>> Squeeze on it via tftp boot and serial console. However; I get to >>>>>>>>>>>>> where I can select install from a menu list and then it sits at a >>>>>>>>>>>>> blank screen. I am using the buadrate of 19200 8n1 no flow >>>>>>>>>>>>> control. Does anyone know how to successfully install squeeze. I >>>>>>>>>>>>> have tried using the wiki guide. >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks in advanced, >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> Blake >>>>>>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>>>>>> <RBI-Email-Signatures-BH.gif> _______________________________________________ Soekris-tech mailing list [email protected] http://lists.soekris.com/mailman/listinfo/soekris-tech
