"invalid memory access error" booting 32-bit 5/25/2024 iso on iMac G5

[ej0rge]

After loading the 32-bit kernel and ramdisk on my iSight iMac G5 i get an invalid memory access error.

[2DSBrewer]

Well that’s funny! I am also trying to install archPOWER to an iMac G5, although mine is a als model. My problem is I can’t figure out how to connect to the network, iwctl won’t start.

[kth5]

You can't run a 32bit kernel on a G5, if you want to run a 32bit userland chose a 6432 image

[ej0rge]

You can't run a 32bit kernel on a G5, if you want to run a 32bit userland chose a 6432 image

I wondered about that, which was why i tried with the 64 and 6432 images first.

They don't work either, in a different way. Stops like this:

[kth5]

It doesn't stop, its your GPU not spinning up. This is also happening on my 6600 in the G5 I do have. I have yet to find a reliable way to get the display working during install. You can fly blind or if you have a chance, use a ATI graphics solution for the time being.

…

On Sun, Jun 9, 2024, 10:21 PM ej0rge ***@***.***> wrote: You can't run a 32bit kernel on a G5, if you want to run a 32bit userland chose a 6432 <https://archlinuxpower.org/iso/archpower-current-powerpc6432.iso> image I wondered about that, which was why i tried with the 64 and 6432 images first. They don't work either, in a different way. Stops like this: PXL_20240606_002829137.jpg (view on web) <https://github.com/kth5/archpower/assets/43465247/afb49b52-9b36-4110-8ae5-7f7e92fd3e45> — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#85 (comment)>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AANTZIABDG4QD4UJ6GCXKF3ZGS2MLAVCNFSM6AAAAABJAHFLLGVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHMZDCNJWG43TCOBVGQ> . You are receiving this because you commented.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[ej0rge]

It doesn't stop, its your GPU not spinning up. This is also happening on my 6600 in the G5 I do have. I have yet to find a reliable way to get the display working during install. You can fly blind or if you have a chance, use a ATI graphics solution for the time being.
…
On Sun, Jun 9, 2024, 10:21 PM ej0rge @.> wrote: You can't run a 32bit kernel on a G5, if you want to run a 32bit userland chose a 6432 https://archlinuxpower.org/iso/archpower-current-powerpc6432.iso image I wondered about that, which was why i tried with the 64 and 6432 images first. They don't work either, in a different way. Stops like this: PXL_20240606_002829137.jpg (view on web) https://github.com/kth5/archpower/assets/43465247/afb49b52-9b36-4110-8ae5-7f7e92fd3e45 — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#85 (comment)>, or unsubscribe https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AANTZIABDG4QD4UJ6GCXKF3ZGS2MLAVCNFSM6AAAAABJAHFLLGVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHMZDCNJWG43TCOBVGQ . You are receiving this because you commented.Message ID: @.>

It's the A1145 20" G5 iMac so it already has an ATI graphics solution.

Also, since it's an iMac, there are no other video options.

Is there a way to get a serial console on these?

[ej0rge]

Adding video=radeonfb got me past that, now i am struggling with issues mostly having to do with my unfamiliarity with Arch and the sparseness of the documentation

[kth5]

There is ArchPOWER specific documentation here:
https://github.com/kth5/archpower/wiki

After installation you can refer to the generel (and great) Archlinux Wiki:
https://wiki.archlinux.org

[kth5]

I'm going to see what I can find on the A1145 model. I don't have access to one so testing this personaly will be most difficult unfortunately.

Could you confirm for me that this is the model?
https://everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/specs/imac_g5_2.1_20.html

[ej0rge]

Yes i have looked at the wiki. once i figure out everything on my end i might offer some updates and additions for it.

And yes, that is the model i have. I believe I read that it was the last PPC mac released.

By specifying video=radeonfb i am getting a lot further. I have a funcitonal image on my ssd but have to boot it manually from OF -- the hattrib commands given on the wiki don't help my OF find it for some reason. It's trivial to just "setenv boot-device hd:2,/grub" but naturally the PRAM battery is dead, and Apple put it on the *back of the motherboard so i haven't taken the entire machine apart to replace it yet. I'll get to it eventually.

It does spit out a radeon related error while booting:

And this model does have the ir sensor but i don't really care that it isn't detected. The built in "isight" camera is also broken - wires didn't survive repeated disassembly of the case - and i don't know that i care enough to fix it.

I also note that the installation guide script fails because lynx isn't on the image.

[ej0rge]

The only real issue here is for some reason the Radeon X600 isn't detected automatically on an iMac that was discontinued less than 3 months after it was announced and sold the last unit before it had been known to the public for a full 6 months. I had no idea that it is so rare.