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Installing on Apple PowerBook G4

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Big Damn Hero
Posts: 1
Joined: 2010-08-06 00:36

Installing on Apple PowerBook G4

#1 Post by Big Damn Hero »

Hi, newbie Linux user here. Ran into a bunch of problems that I've no idea how to fix and GIS won't shed any particular light on. At least, not anywhere that I can understand.

Anyway, I've a decent understanding of the various Linux console commands and know how to work my way around a text editor or file system. But I can't seem to fix what's wrong with my computer. I'll list my info here and then discuss the most pressing issues that I need help with.

It's a 17" PowerBook G4, with Airport Extreme (which I understand is a headache all on its own: I'll likely get to that later)

Results of ~$ lspci:

Code: Select all

0000:00:0b.0 Host bridge: Apple Computer Inc. Intrepid2 AGP Bridge
0000:00:10.0 VGA compatible controller: ATI Technologies Inc RV350 [Mobility Radeon 9600 M10]
0001:10:0b.0 Host bridge: Apple Computer Inc. Intrepid2 AGP Bridge
0001:10:11.0 Network controller: Broadcom Corporation BCM4318 [AirForce One 54g] 802.11g Wireless LAN Controller (rev 02)
0001:10:14.0 CardBus bridge: Texas Instruments PCI1510 PC card Cardbus Controller
0001:10:15.0 USB Controller: NEC Corporation USB (rev 43)
0001:10:15.1 USB Controller: NEC Corporation USB (rev 43)
0001:10:15.2 USB Controller: NEC Corporation USB 2.0 (rev 04)
0001:10:17.0 Class ff00: Apple Computer Inc. KeyLargo/Intrepid Mac I/O
0002:24:0b.0 Host bridge: Apple Computer Inc. Intrepid2 PCI Bridge
0002:24:0d.0 Class ff00: Apple Computer Inc. Intrepid2 ATA/100
0002:24:0e.0 FireWire (IEEE 1394): Apple Computer Inc. Intrepid2 Firewire
0002:24:0f.0 Ethernet controller: Apple Computer Inc. Intrepid2 GMAC (Sun GEM)
I downloaded the most recent .iso for the PowerPC from http://www.debian.org/CD/http-ftp/, specifically the 4.4 GB DVD copy.

During installation, I told it to install only the Desktop Environment and Base System. Installation went through without a hitch, though it failed to connect properly to my Wireless card.

The first issue I encounter after booting is during the login. When logging in as a non-root user, I'm told to change my password immediately (root enforced). I've done this every time I've logged in. Immediately after when I log in I'm told that the system clock is wrong: It's currently set to Jan. 1, 1970. If I try to change it, I get a message saying that I can't, and my desktop won't load properly. If I ignore the system clock issue and try to change it in System > Administration > Time and Date later, after entering my admin password I get a message that says

Code: Select all

Failed to run time-admin as user root.

Failed to communicate with gksu-helper. 
Received:
 (current) UNIX password: e your password immediately 
(root enforced) 
Changing password for root. 

While expecting: 
gksu: waiting
Apparently the password issue is related to the Time and Date settings (according to Google), but I can't fix those because it wants me to change my password. So for this early problem: help please? :(

User avatar
jheaton5
Posts: 1488
Joined: 2008-08-20 01:40
Location: Newnan, GA, USA

Re: Installing on Apple PowerBook G4

#2 Post by jheaton5 »

You may find some help at one of these sites.
debian sid

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