Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 17:04:32 +0100 (BST) From: Doug Rabson <dfr@nlsystems.com> To: Simon Shapiro <shimon@simon-shapiro.org> Cc: freebsd-alpha@FreeBSD.ORG Subject: Re: Alpha Install - oops! Message-ID: <Pine.BSF.4.01.9808311656050.357-100000@herring.nlsystems.com> In-Reply-To: <XFMail.980831114951.shimon@simon-shapiro.org>
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On Mon, 31 Aug 1998, Simon Shapiro wrote:
>
> Doug Rabson, On 31-Aug-98 you wrote:
>
> ...
>
> > What is the filename of the kernel? If you decompress the kernel and
> > put
> > it in /kernel.GENERIC-980830 then you should be able to use:
> >
> > >>>boot -file kernel.GENERIC-980830 -flags s
> >
> > to attempt a boot to single-user mode. You won't manage multiuser
> > without
> > installing FreeBSD binaries but single-user works fine with NetBSD init
> > and sh.
>
> I re-downloaded the kernel. It has the name ...gz, but does not appear
> gzipped on this end. My problem above is caused by ncftp having too much
> to drink. The file got truncated (?).
>
> I tried again, as per your directions, and the kernel boots but dies like
> this:
>
> After all the kernel starts, init seems to fork and then put the message:
>
> ``Enter shell pathname or RETURN for SH:''
>
> It outputs this string a word or so at a time, with about a second delay
> between pieces. Then the system is solidly frozen.
>
> I am on a serial console. Could it be it somehow switches to the
> (non-exising) video+keyboard?
>
> If so, can I plug in just any VGA card? I do not have the fancy DEC one.
> Alternately, can I add to -flas ``h', so flags will be ``-flags -sh'' ?
>
> Sorry to bother you with these details, but I ned to get FreeBSD running to
> do the FCAL and i2o ports for the 64bit DPT. The alternative is NetBSD.
I have seen this behaviour very rarely. I think sometimes my code which
enables ISA interrupts doesn't work properly on the Miata but I can't
figure out a pattern yet. Try rebooting a couple of times to see if it
unsticks itself.
I haven't had much luck putting non DEC vga cards into the 433au which I
have. The SRM console barfs something about an invalid device and then
halts. That might just be a firmware problem and I have only tried using
an MGA Mill II as a replacement for the TGA card which came with it so
your mileage may vary.
The boot process will detect which console is active automatically. You
don't need any extra flags. There is an SRM environment variable
'console' to select the default ('set console graphics' or 'set console
serial') but even if a serial console is the default, you can swap back to
the vga console by hitting return a few times.
Don't worry about bothering me with details. I can't fix bugs unless
people tell me about them :-).
--
Doug Rabson Mail: dfr@nlsystems.com
Nonlinear Systems Ltd. Phone: +44 181 951 1891
Fax: +44 181 381 1039
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