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1996-01-12
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Last-modified: 95-11-07
Maintained-By: Joerg Mayer <jmayer@informatik.uni-kl.de>
Posting-Frequency: bi-weekly
Archive-name: linux/m68k-faq
URL: http://pfah.informatik.uni-kl.de:8000/pers/jmayer/linux68k-faq
Frequently Asked Questions on Linux/m68k
A Linux port to Motorola's 680x0 processors
Version of this FAQ : 1.9
Version of Linux/m68k : 0.9.13 (old) and 1.2.13pl3 (current)
Version of Linux : 1.2.13 (stable) and 1.3pl37 (experimental)
i) Introduction
===============
This is an updated version of the Linux/m68k FAQ. Since it probably contains
errors (typographical and logical), outdated and missing infos, I ask that
you send feedback and corrections to me. This document is not intended to
describe what Unix is or how to to administrate it. To find out more about
that read the standard Linux manuals.
This version (1.9) does not contain everything I wanted to put into it.
As the alternative was to wait another week or more, I decided to do a
release now. Also, no proof reading has bee done :-(
ii) Newsflash
=============
- Hamish has released kernel 1.2.13pl3
- Hamish has passed the general release management to Roman;
Geert has taken over the job of Amiga coordinator
- The atarix mailing list has been renamed linux-m68k.
- Roman has announced that 0.9.13 is the last kernel of the 0.9 series
unless serious bugs are discovered. 1.2 is the current kernel.
- As 1.2 has become the "official" version, the FAQ has been updated to refer
to the current version of 1.2 if not stated otherwise.
iii) Contents
=============
i Introduction
ii Newsflash
iii Contents
iv Versions
1. About Linux and Linux/m68k
2. Requirements to run Linux/m68k
2.1 Processor
2.2 RAM
2.3 Harddisk
2.4 Software
3. Similarities and differences of Amiga and Atari Linux/m68k
3.1 Similarities
3.2 Differences
4. The current status of Linux/m68k
4.1 General
4.2 Amiga
4.3 Atari
4.4 Mac
4.5 VME
4.6 PC
5. Hints on installing Linux/m68k
6. Sources for information/sources/binaries
6.1 Documentation
6.2 Newsgroups
6.3 Mailinglists
6.4 WWW-sites
6.5 Ftp-sites
6.6 Modem
6.7 Distributions
6.8 IRC (Internet Relay Chat)
7. Activities
7.1 Coordinator
7.2 Bug reports/Known bugs
7.2.1 TT-FPU bug
7.2.2 Amiga with GVP 16 bit RAM
7.3 Under construction/To do
8. Common problems
8.1 I can't find the manpage for XXX
8.2 Is there a X-server for the Amiga?
8.3 How can I access my SCSI tape drive?
8.4 Where did all my Amiga's chipmem go?
8.5 Do I really need a FPU?
8.6 How do I access Linux partitions from AmigaDOS?
8.7 I can't boot from harddisk although the root partition
seems to be fine!?
8.8 When I try to start X11, I get 'cannot open /dev/mouse'
8.9 My SCSI bus locks up when I want to use my DAT drive
8.10 I cannot delete files with rm as root
8.11 My SCSI bus locks up when the kernel probes for devices
8.12 I displayed a binary file, and now my console is totally screwed up
8.13 After installing a patch, the new files are in the current directory
9. Famous last words
iv) Versions
============
At the present time, two kernel trees exist: 0.9.x and 1.2.13plx.
To make switching between these versions a bit more interesting, they
use a different bitorder in the ext2fs code (ext2 is the primarily used
filesystem). In order to to be able to use a 0.9 ext2fs under 1.2, the
1.2 version of the filesystem check program has to be run and vice versa.
Also there are two versions of executables. The old a.out format, which
is being phased out and the new ELF format. The problem is, that a.out
executables don't work with ELF dynamic libraries and vice versa. To make
things a bit more ugly, for some packets (e.g. X11R6) the version numbers
of ELF and a.out libraries are the same. This makes it almost impossible
to use dyamically linked a.out and ELF binaries of X-window clients in the
same installation tree.
Finally, these are the different versions of the ataboot, amiboot and
amiga-lilo programs:
0.9.13 can be started via amiboot-1.12a, ataboot-0.7 and amiga-lilo-0.4a.
1.2.13pl3 can be compiled in two formats: a.out and ELF. The a.out version
can be started by the same programs as 0.9.13. If your kernel is ELF
compiled you must use amiboot-2.1, ataboot-1.2 and amiga-lilo-0.5 (the
latter is not yet available). These programs will boot a.out kernels too.
1. About Linux and Linux/m68k
=============================
Linux is a freely available operating system for PCs - to be more precise,
it is one of many flavours of Unix. Linux is being developed on the net by
several thousand people, first and foremost by Linus Torvalds, and being
tested/used by many many more.
The fun and success of Linux inspired Hamish Macdonald and Greg Harp to
port it to another platform - the Amiga. The first version released to the
general public was 005. While 008 was current, a few enthusiasts ported
that version to the Atari and the two versions have been successfully
merged with 09pl3 (this reads version 09 patchlevel 3). Linux/m68k can be
regarded as beta. This means that code that hasn't been ported/written
recently works well most of the time.
After having released v1.2pl3 Hamish handed the coordination over to Roman.
Here's the story in Hamish's words:
"I decided to port Linux to my Amiga for a variety of reasons. I have
always had an interest in operating systems (my work is in embedded
systems for telecommunications). After finishing my Master's thesis,
I needed some project to keep me busy, and justify keeping my Amiga.
Linux was just getting popular at the time, and I thought it would be
fun to port it to my Amiga. So I did. Greg Harp and a few others had
been talking for a while about porting Linux to the Amiga. They'd only
got a little way into it when I got involved, bringing the work I'd
already done myself...."
2. Requirements to run Linux/m68k
=================================
2.1 Processor
-------------
You need a Motorola 680x0 processor *with PMMU*. There is *no way* to run
it without one. This reduces the list of possible processors to 68020+68851,
68030, 68040, 68LC040, 68060. Currently only the 68020+68851, 68030 and
68040 are supported. At this stage you will also need a 68881 or 68882 FPU
if you don't have a 68040. A FPU is not strictly necessary as it can be
emulated with the normal processor, however nobody has written the code to
do so. This list of processors excludes the 68000, 68010, 68EC020, 68EC030,
68EC040. Linux/m68k can *never* run on these processors as they lack a PMMU
and an interface for an external one (this is "true" for all machines but
some pretty old Suns :-).
The following Amigas have the "right" processor built-in: A3000, A3000T,
A4000/40 (not! A4000/30 which has a 68EC030 processor) and A2500/30.
The following Ataris (or clones) have the "right" processor built-in:
Atari Falcon (FPU is not standard but needed!), Atari TT, Medusa, Eagle
(not yet supported). Note: In some of the older TTs there is a bug in the PAL
controlling the access to the FPU. This may cause a crash (see 7.2.1).
Any processor upgrade card with a 68040 or 68030+68881/2 (like PAK/3) is able
to run Linux.
Note2: On the Amiga, there exists a program called "lawbreaker" (part of the
enforcer package). This program allows you to check whether you have a working
PMMU or not (it needs to generate 4 hits in combination with enforcer).
2.2 RAM
-------
Note1: On the Amiga the size of fastram is relevant.
Note2: If you have an Amiga with 16-bit expansion RAM on a GVP card, see
"Known bugs".
It is possible to boot Linux/m68k with as little as 2 MB. Now you know that
the kernel works on your system - that's it. If you want to work with it you
should have at least 4 MB (8 MB with a X-server).
2.3 Harddisk
------------
If you want to do more than just boot Linux/m68k you will need 80 - oo
(infinity) MB of space on your hard disk and a supported hard disk controller.
Add another 20 MB for X.
2.4