PPC: Booting with BootX on a PowerMacintosh

Support knowledgebase (olh_ppc_bootx)
Applies to

SuSE Linux: Version 6.4
This article refers to an older version of SuSE Linux. Therefore some of the informations given in this article may be outdated or the article may contain stale links.

BootX is a Linux bootloader for the MacOS. It is designed for older PowerMacs and Mac-clone machines. If one has this kind of computer:

The use of BootX on so called "New World" machines (iMac and later) is _not_ recommended. One should use yaboot to avoid trouble.
In fact, BootX can not be used with MacOS versions newer than 9.0.0.

Installation of BootX:

The installation of BootX is very easy. Create a new folder and copy the file "BootX App" into this folder. You will also need the Linux kernel file "vmlinux" to be in this folder.
These files can be found on the first CD in the folder called "suseboot".
When BootX is launched, the root device must be specified. This is the quasi-start volume of the Linux operating system. More kernel arguments can be entered in the line "More kernel args", if needed.

Linux will be started with the click on the Linux button.

BootX will look for the Kernel "vmlinux" in this order:

The last 2 options will allow for use of more than one Kernel. This can also be done with correctly named alias files.

To automate the boot process:

The file "* BootX Extension" can be found on the first CD in the folder suseboot. This file gives one the choice between MacOS and Linux during system startup.
Drop this file on the icon of the active System folder to place it in the correct folder. The Linux kernel "vmlinux" is also needed in the System folder or in a folder named "Linux Kernels", in the System folder. After a reboot, one will have a choice between MacOS and Linux. If nothing is entered, the default OS will be loaded after 10 seconds.

Boot parameters for the installation:

A ramdisk must be loaded to start the installation process. This can be activated in the options menu. It is important to be sure the correct ramdisk file is specified. The correct boot parameters are:

root=/dev/fd0 ramdisk_size=128000
The checkbox "no video driver" should be off. If problems are encountered with the display then this checkbox should be enabled. The kernel argument
video=ofonly
will be passed to the kernel if the checkbox is active.
Keywords: POWERPC, PPC, APPLE, MACINTOSH, MAC, BOOTX

Categories: Power PC

SDB-olh_ppc_bootx, Copyright SuSE Linux AG, Nürnberg, Germany - Version: 25. Jun 2000
SuSE Linux AG - Last generated: 03. Dez 2001 by olh (sdb_gen 1.40.0)