eMac and linux

OSXrocks · n00b Joined: 17 Feb 2003 Posts: 24

Hi all,

I installed gentoo linux succesfully on my eMac, now I have compiled X11, gnome and KDE too on it.
I tried to get them running, but there seems to be a video problem.
Now I heard from a guy on IRC that linux won't run, because of video misfunction. It won't run on any eMac.
Is this true????????
Or is there a way to get it running on my mac???

Tnx in advance

MadEgg · l33t Joined: 06 Jun 2002 Posts: 678 Location: Netherlands

Since he isn't too experienced with Linux, and I am experienced with PC Linux, I helped him with installing Linux on his PPC.

The only way we can get the kernel to boot is by adding:

append="video=ofonly" to yaboot.conf, or by simply leaving OpenFirmware support as only one enabled in framebuffer devices in the kernel configuration.

But if we do this, the only way we can get X11 to start, is by using the fbdev driver. And the fbdev driver does not work with more than 8-bit colors, and since the colors are completely screwed up in 8-bit colors, that is really not an option either.

This eMac is equipped with a GeForce2 MX, so I take it the rivafb driver should be used instead. But when that is selected, the kernel echos some info, and then very quickly turns the screen blank.
The only way to boot is using openfirmware, as far as we've found out so far.

Isn't there any kernel patch available to make it work with eMacs?

The kernel he's using is 2.4.20 with the ben-patches.
_________________
Pentium 4 Prescott 3,2 GHz
Asus P4P800 SE, i865PE chipset
1024 MB PC3200 RAM
AOpen Aeolus GeForce 6800 Ultra 256 MB DDR2
Creative Audigy2 ZS
gentoo-sources-2.6.20-r7
nVidia-drivers version 9755

Gerk · Retired Dev Joined: 07 May 2002 Posts: 435

the eMacs are known to still hae major problems with rivafb

unforunately I think the only setup possible right now is with ofonly video

All I can suggest is to wait for the kernel to stabalize a bit for that machine.

OSXrocks · n00b Joined: 17 Feb 2003 Posts: 24

hehe, I'll wait for it then

benh tried to make a patch yesterday, but that didn't work also :\
do you have any idea how loing it would take for the developers to get everything running on the eMac ???

Gerk · Retired Dev Joined: 07 May 2002 Posts: 435

no idea honestly, but it seems like they've have very little to no exposure to these machines at all.

MadEgg · l33t Joined: 06 Jun 2002 Posts: 678 Location: Netherlands

Well, at least benh seems to own one. His patch changed the screen from blacking out to producing a nice white line in the center of the screen, but still hanging.

Isn't there anyone else with proper knowledge out there with an eMac then?
_________________
Pentium 4 Prescott 3,2 GHz
Asus P4P800 SE, i865PE chipset
1024 MB PC3200 RAM
AOpen Aeolus GeForce 6800 Ultra 256 MB DDR2
Creative Audigy2 ZS
gentoo-sources-2.6.20-r7
nVidia-drivers version 9755

OSXrocks · n00b Joined: 17 Feb 2003 Posts: 24

bumping this thread again

is there any advantage in the developing of a stable kernel for the eMac???

OSXrocks · n00b Joined: 17 Feb 2003 Posts: 24

bumping this thread again

is there any advantage in the developing of a stable kernel for the eMac???

Koalawalawala · Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2003 7:08 pm Post subject: *ahem*

I used to fiddle with the x86 kernel; and I've been fiddling with Apple hardware since II-GS. :wink:

So now I have this beautiful (thanks Gerk), super-duper, new 15" powerbook. And that doesn't help you, since I use ATI. There used to be a group of people who hacked GeForce support and fiddled with X a lot. I think an evening of googling will give you a few people to start speaking to.

After all, they're two well known things; a PowerPC-based motherboard with (judging by the price on store.apple.com) well-established components, and a Geforce chipset which just happens to have a strange memory register, or address, or _something_ just a bit kinky.

Here's hoping you get that bad boy zooming

-Koala

Gerk · Retired Dev Joined: 07 May 2002 Posts: 435

I think its mostly the fact right now that the rivafb and the xfree drivers (which should be MUCH better in 4.3.0) just dont know how to deal with the non standard modelines that those tubes require....

As usual apple cant do normal thing like 75hz refresh rates, but I alwasy see things like 74.5hz , etc .. so I dunno there's a lot to be done aside from find a refresh rate and/or modelines that work for that machine, bu dont count on the drivers to take care of that for you

OSXrocks · n00b Joined: 17 Feb 2003 Posts: 24

I see, well I'm just a linux noob, so I guess I'll have to waith untill somebody else has fixed this problem :\

OSXrocks · n00b Joined: 17 Feb 2003 Posts: 24

Hey all,
I just heard that Yellow Dog Linux 3.0 is out.
It now has eMac support, does this mean that it should run gentoo soon now too????/
Would be very nice

Key features of Yellow Dog Linux 3.0 include:

6 CDs (3 install, 3 source).
Modern, robust Anaconda installer engine.
kernel 2.4.20.
gcc 3.2.1 and glibc 2.3.1.
XFree86 4.3, GNOME 2.2, and KDE 3.1.
Mac-On-Linux 0.9.68 (Classic Mac OS & OS X 10.2 -at the same time!).
Improved hardware support including Apple eMac , all GeForce 4-based Power Macs, and PowerBook 12".
3D support for ATI Radeon series graphics cards.
Sleep support for all Apple ATI Radeon Mobility-based portables.

Koalawalawala · Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2003 9:56 pm Post subject: outdated by dist method

Gentoo offers newer (ARCH="~ppc") versions of most listed apps. I'm running a sturdy gcc 3.2.2-r1 with a sleep/snooze enabled kernel, at (after fiddling with XF86Config) over 1800 fps on my PB 1GHz...

So if YDL has support for the eMac, then you just need more 'quality' time with your refresh rates. If you don't want to approach dedicated fiddlers, I suggest Apple's developer site. You have to register to view it, but it contains really super documentation (hardware specs... and more) on everything they support.

Besides, Gentoo will always be faster. :wink:

-Koala

OSXrocks · n00b Joined: 17 Feb 2003 Posts: 24

hey all,
With the help of benh and slice (I saw them on IRC)
I got the correct modelines for my eMac monitor, and now I can run X
I'm totally happy now

sisob · Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2003 8:24 pm Post subject:

MadEgg · l33t Joined: 06 Jun 2002 Posts: 678 Location: Netherlands

I happen to have 'm, as I helped 'OSXRocks' with installing Gentoo and getting X up and running.

This is the text you should add to the monitor section of XF86Config

ApexGT · n00b Joined: 05 Apr 2003 Posts: 4

Is it workin' :?:

OSXrocks · n00b Joined: 17 Feb 2003 Posts: 24

of course it works

ApexGT · n00b Joined: 05 Apr 2003 Posts: 4

OK, Thanks!

kittehs · n00b Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 5 Location: michigan

now if someone can show me how to get MOL running correctly w/ an eMac, i will be impressed.

OSXrocks · n00b Joined: 17 Feb 2003 Posts: 24

well I haven't got MOL running either

so I guess that has to be figured out

kittehs · n00b Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 5 Location: michigan

just upgraded the kernel on my eMac to benh-r10, and now MOL works.

OSXrocks · n00b Joined: 17 Feb 2003 Posts: 24

well that's really cool

I already have the sources of the ben10 kernel (since Thursday) but I haven't got the time to install them

MadEgg · l33t Joined: 06 Jun 2002 Posts: 678 Location: Netherlands

you lazy git :p
_________________
Pentium 4 Prescott 3,2 GHz
Asus P4P800 SE, i865PE chipset
1024 MB PC3200 RAM
AOpen Aeolus GeForce 6800 Ultra 256 MB DDR2
Creative Audigy2 ZS
gentoo-sources-2.6.20-r7
nVidia-drivers version 9755

OSXrocks · n00b Joined: 17 Feb 2003 Posts: 24

got teh kernel running now,
but could you tell me how to run mol????
It won't run here