From owner-freebsd-arch@FreeBSD.ORG Sun Oct 7 22:39:48 2012 Return-Path: Delivered-To: freebsd-arch@freebsd.org Received: from mx1.freebsd.org (mx1.freebsd.org [69.147.83.52]) by hub.freebsd.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id 9D2321065673; Sun, 7 Oct 2012 22:39:48 +0000 (UTC) (envelope-from Devin.Teske@fisglobal.com) Received: from mx1.fisglobal.com (mx1.fisglobal.com [199.200.24.190]) by mx1.freebsd.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id 6704B8FC08; Sun, 7 Oct 2012 22:39:47 +0000 (UTC) Received: from smtp.fisglobal.com ([10.132.206.15]) by ltcfislmsgpa01.fnfis.com (8.14.4/8.14.4) with ESMTP id q97MdlvG021802 (version=TLSv1/SSLv3 cipher=AES128-SHA bits=128 verify=NOT); Sun, 7 Oct 2012 17:39:47 -0500 Received: from [10.0.0.103] (10.14.152.61) by smtp.fisglobal.com (10.132.206.15) with Microsoft SMTP Server (TLS) id 14.2.309.2; Sun, 7 Oct 2012 17:39:46 -0500 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1252" MIME-Version: 1.0 (Apple Message framework v1283) From: Devin Teske Date: Sun, 7 Oct 2012 15:39:45 -0700 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Message-ID: To: X-Mailer: Apple Mail (2.1283) X-Originating-IP: [10.14.152.61] X-Proofpoint-Virus-Version: vendor=fsecure engine=2.50.10432:5.7.7855, 1.0.431, 0.0.0000 definitions=2012-10-07_05:2012-10-06, 2012-10-07, 1970-01-01 signatures=0 Cc: Devin Teske Subject: Tell the user we're booting X-BeenThere: freebsd-arch@freebsd.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.5 Precedence: list Reply-To: Devin Teske List-Id: Discussion related to FreeBSD architecture List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , X-List-Received-Date: Sun, 07 Oct 2012 22:39:48 -0000 Hi, I'd like to propose a small (tiny even) patch to sys/boot/forth/loader.4th Said patch will echo "Booting=85" before invoking the kernel. This patch would effect every architecture (even those that don't use the b= eastie menu). The reason for proposing this tiny change is that as of 9.0-R I've noticed = a significant lag between executing "boot" and getting something on-screen = to show that something is happening. On my circa 2006 white Macbook (Intel, 4GB of RAM) running VMware Fusion 5,= FreeBSD 9.0-R GENERIC kernel takes on-average 3.76 seconds from the point = I hit ENTER on the "boot" command to the point that kernel messages start a= ppearing on-screen. I've had this patch applied to DruidBSD for almost a decade but have neglec= ted to request this enhancement for FreeBSD. Largely because it wasn't need= ed, but now that I'm seeing significant delays on older hardware (with GENE= RIC), I feel it dramatically increases perceived performance (simply by pro= viding feedback -- doubly important in the menu environment where the user = hits ENTER and nothing happens for 3-4 seconds). --=20 Devin _____________ The information contained in this message is proprietary and/or confidentia= l. If you are not the intended recipient, please: (i) delete the message an= d all copies; (ii) do not disclose, distribute or use the message in any ma= nner; and (iii) notify the sender immediately. In addition, please be aware= that any message addressed to our domain is subject to archiving and revie= w by persons other than the intended recipient. Thank you.