This computer has been sitting with a burned out power supply for about 3 years. I finally adapted an atx supply for it, and it works wonderfully ... but slow. So I upgraded the processor to a Newer 7447A 1.6 dual processor, installed a USB 2 card, a firewire 800 card and a SATA card and a non-standard radeon 9600 pro (OWC sold these modified cards for a while).

I wanted to run the latest and greatest (I have 10.4 on it, which is fine for the legacy video, graphics, etc. that I still use it for), but Apple no longer sells Leopard, and the rare copies that are out there are over-priced, so I began a tortuous journey into Linux.

My experience with Linux with Macs has been dormant since I my G4 was new. I installed variations of LinuxPPC, Debian and Yellowdog on my old 9600, but always abandoned it--not because it didn't work, but because there wasn't really anything for me to do with it--compared to the well supported Mac stuff at the time. I began toying with it again on intel machines over the past couple years and was spoiled with how easy it was.

I assumed that evolution extended to PowerMacs as well, but was quickly disappointed. After struggling with distro after distro of Ubuntu--which I assumed would be the easiest--I threw in the hat. I did get 11 and 12 to work, but there was no real support available.

Then I discovered this. MintPPC installed quickly and without a hitch. It kinda took me by surprise.

So thanks for all your hard work in supporting the PPC community. I'll do what I can to return the favor, if possible.

So, here is what doesn't work.
1) Multiprocessor support. I believe I need to install a SMP version of the kernal, I'll try to figure that out, but if there is a known method already available, I'll gladly use that.

2) My level 2 cache is not seen. The processor has a 512k cache per chip.

3) I don't know if my video card is optimized, and I'm not sure what do do to find this out. When I get the chance, I'll do that profile thingy you have at the forum top, and attach my info.

Thanks much. Looking forward to solving some puzzles.

install a smp kernel indeed.

Thanks,
Both processors are working now ... but the L2 cache's are not recognized.

Been searching the web ... not too promising, but I'll keep you updated.

My PoweMac G5 has 4 processors that are not recognized and thus I've installed that smp kernel. However when booting immediately after the installation, and when choosing linux, I am greeted by a white screen stating something like:


The thing is that the keyboard is not even responsive. A forced shutdown and reboot with "X" option gets me into OSX without problems, but I can't seem to be able to enter mintPPC.

This happened just now that even BBC radio 4 streaming was working

krespim-

At the boot: yaboot prompt, hit tab. You should see something like "Linux-old".
Try typing whatever it is at the boot: prompt. That may get you back to where you were.

Hopefully JD will confirm, but since the G5 is 64 bit, I think what you wanted is:



Edit: I meant second prompt, after you hit L for Linux

Str8bs is correct, you need a 64-bit kernel.

Not working yet.



I get this error:



This is what system monitor tell me I have now:

I am afraid there is none....
http://packages.debian.org/search?keywo ... ge-powerpc