PowerMac G4 PPC - debian netinstall woes

[dontRunWithBits]

All,

I'm trying to install Debian 12 onto a PowerMac G4 cube. That is a powerpc-based computer, in case you did not know. So I got the netinstaller image from https://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/ports/12.0/powerpc/
That boots fine and all, but the issue arises when the installer tries to activate the NIC. Apparently the NIC is not recognised and / or a driver would be needed. That of course halts the installation, and I can't get pass it.

Now I guess there are two options
* load working driver from somewhere and add that during installation somehow???
* have a full install media instead of netinstall

Would anybody be able to help with either of these issues?

On a sidenote, I did install Debian 8 onto that PowerMac and that worked well, except X won't start. I have not had time to diagnose that yet. But with Debian 8 networking working means the NIC is supported, and there should be a driver somewhere. Also it did not come to my mind check what the network device the Mac actually has.

This is a Powermac 5,1 450MHz , M7886 if that helps.

[oswaldkelso]

Nice machine. I always wanted a cube, just for the shear cuteness.

I have a couple ppc machines. One stuck on Debian 8 and I dare not upgrade as I suspect I'll break it completely. It wont boot usb via open firmware and the CD is iffy (imac 333MHz) . I have a pile of coasters trying to get something newer on it. When I have the time I’ll stick the HD in one of My G4s and get an up to date distro on it, then swap it back..

I also have a G5 imac and several unused G4’s.

PPC are finicky at best. If your braver than me you might be able to upgrade from 8 through to 12 tweaking as you go. Fixing X is usually just a case of finding a xorg.conf file that works. The Xorg auto detection was always crap when it came to PPC. I'd definitely install 8 and grab as much info off it as possible before you have another bash at it. On something that old I'd always do a net install as a desktop install would be painful and again only really useful to gather info.

But in all honesty I would skip Debian on ppc for older machines. On the G5 I struggled to get Debian to install and boot so used the Debian install disk to partition and installed Void-ppc. Void ppc worked OOTB but I read the main dev has moved on to pastures new, so if I had to choose now I’d go for Gentoo the safer option, Adélie or T2 SDE. Good luck what ever you decide and be sure to post your progress if your succesful.

https://www.gentoo.org/downloads/#ppc
http://t2sde.org/architectures/powerpc/
https://www.adelielinux.org/download/

[Uptorn]

Use a different NIC like a USB network adapter just to complete the install, and then investigate the primary NIC later once you have a full environment installed?

[dontRunWithBits]

Use a different NIC like a USB network adapter just to complete the install, and then investigate the primary NIC later once you have a full environment installed?

This is so simple and elegant answer. I should have thought that. Thanks

[dontRunWithBits]

Nice machine. I always wanted a cube, just for the shear cuteness.
…
But in all honesty I would skip Debian on ppc for older machines. On the G5 I struggled to get Debian to install and boot so used the Debian install disk to partition and installed Void-ppc. Void ppc worked OOTB but I read the main dev has moved on to pastures new, so if I had to choose now I’d go for Gentoo the safer option, Adélie or T2 SDE. Good luck what ever you decide and be sure to post your progress if your succesful.

https://www.gentoo.org/downloads/#ppc
http://t2sde.org/architectures/powerpc/
https://www.adelielinux.org/download/

I can’t even imagine How long gentoo would compile on the cube

I know adelie, I tried that and the installer didn’t even start.
I will check T2. Thanks.

[oswaldkelso]

You've started something now

The "Boss" was away. I'll see what I can get running that's up to date.

[dontRunWithBits]

You've started something now

The "Boss" was away. I'll see what I can get running that's up to date.

So sorry about that.
I also got a iMac g4, which is in dire need of modern browser and encryption algorithms. So that may give you some additional boost.

[oswaldkelso]

You can see a cube in the background of his video

http://t2sde.org/documentation/installintro.html

Edit: The "Boss" is back asking me when I'm going to take that "Junk" to the skip I said those are important antiques