OS4.1.1 owners update your SLB if you need to.

Hello,

With OS4.1.1 is included a new SLB (version 1.19) which allows booting from a Linux partition.
If you need such fonctionnality, you'll need to install this new SLB through Media Toolbox.
(it is not installed by the 4.1.1 installation)

To boot Linux you need to create a file /boot/a1boot.conf like explained here.

As an example, I have here (on Sam440):

Debian /boot/uImage root=/dev/sda2 console=tty0

Bye

@Elwood

I deleted Linux a long time ago when OS4 became useable by itself, but surely you always could boot from a Linux partition, so what's new here ?

@BillE

You could but not as easily as with this SLB (IMO of course).

Hi @BillE

I deleted Linux a long time ago when OS4 became useable by itself...
( Snuffy hugs BillE )
Me too! Linux was like having the pox!

@Elwood

I will check it out. Is there any documentation about it's new features and how it should be configured to boot Linux?

@Elwood

Quote:

it does not recognize the linux installation here.

I double checked I installed the version situated in the AmigaOS 4.1 Update2 Sam440/System/L/slb_v2

Quit the Media ToolBox turned off the Sam, but on the "OS selector" Linux does not turn up, only OS4.1.

I re-checked the drive on MTB and slb_v2 v 1.19 is installed.
Linux is LNX\00, bootable, bootpri 0 (AmigaOS boot partition changed from 0 to +1 and then to -1 to check if there is any difference)

Parthenope does recognize both AmigaOS and Linux but it is *really* slow in loading AmigaOS; not useable at all (it takes almost 1,5 minutes to load the kernel modules).

Both were installed on a new HD (in fact os4.1 is on a disconnected HD)
Linux is the GART-enabled version for SamFlex from acube's website.


edit: I meant the "old" OS4.1 is on a separate disconnected disk, OS 4.1 update 1 and Linux are on the same new HD.

I tried to change filesystem type on the linux partition from LNX\0 to SFS\0, it still loads with parthenope but no success with the SLB.

On a second thought, can it be SLB does not see linux because it's behind the swap partition? And other partitions behind SWAP neither?

my layout is:
AmigaOS boot partition - SWAP - Linux - AmigaOS backup (is not recognized by SLB either) - Work partition

@Amigo1

IIRC you need to use the a1boot.conf file with the new SLB (in the same way it was with the AmigaOne linux version)

more information on the following link:

http://www.intuitionbase.com/static.php?section=en_os4-and-debian

@m3x

I'm sure that's set up here but it doesn't see it.

@Amigo1

Parthenope shouldn't be that slow - it loads at the same speed as slb_v2 here (or did before the update - haven't tried it since)

@Chris

Quote:

I also have the same really slow boot issue with Parthenope, it seems to be a known issue with using it on the sam440ep with the current bios firmware but I could be wrong.

@m3x
Oh. Thanks but even for experienced Linux/SAM A1 users this is a little scary. I reverted to the old way with Parthenope, slow true but there were no other directions issued.

I may try over the weekend. Hope it works.

ace

@Elwood
Well I have part of the success with using the new version of SLB to boot linux on my sam440ep (non-flex)

I now have a boot menu with both Linux and AmigaOS4.1 Update 1 and booting OS4.1 still works.

Booting Linux fails it looks the kernel OK and it gets as far as showing a Penguin in the top left hand corner of the screen booting stops there after a few minutes my system then reboots back to the boot menu.

Ideas on what to try next are welcome


edit: my a1boot.conf file looks like this:
Linux /boot/uImage root=/dev/hda5 video=radeon:1280x1024-8@70 l2cr=0x80000000

I have tried changing my config to look at sda5 as that's what the other boot loader uses but it still fails for me.

a1boot.conf file looks like this:
Linux /boot/uImage root=/dev/sda5 video=radeon:1280x1024-8@70 l2cr=0x80000000

Froom looking at the kernel load part it looks like the boot loader is not picking up my kernel boot options. Dose anyone no how to fix this as I think that the problem is linux cant find my root partion due to not being passed this info.

@Dwyloc

OK I have made some progress it looks like I had a missing / in my root=/dev/sda5 line when I changed over from /dev/hda5 to /dev/sda5 I must of removed it my mistake.

I now have a booting system but for some reason my USB keyboard stops working after the boot loader, but my mouse still works fine, unless I also add console=tty0 to my a1boot.conf.

my working a1boot.conf looks as follows:
"Linux /boot/uImage root=/dev/sda5 console=tty0 l2cr=0x80000000"

All on one line. So all you should need to do is change sda5 to the partition you have linux installed on.

I hope this is of use to other people as I know have both working Linux support and fast booting of OS4.1 Update 1 on my sam440ep (non flex), even if it did take me all afternoon to get working.

Note that I updated my first post in this thread.

@Dwyloc

I don't know what this is for "l2cr=0x80000000".
I had it on the AmigaOne but not on Sam.

@Amigo1

Quote:

So you should have the following in your /boot/a1boot.conf:
Debian /boot/uImage root=/dev/sda3 console=tty0

@Elwood

Well, I've installed the new SLB from Update CD and created /boot/a1boot.conf file on ext2 with proper line (in my case):

Crux /boot/uImage root=/dev/sda7 console=tty

and I'm still missing this option during boot selection screen. I'm really running out of ideas what can be wrong with my setup. It just seems that every second level bootloaders I try simply miss ext2 partition (lnx/00 automount bootable boot priority=-1).

@Elwood

Quote:
As the only documentation I had was http://www.intuitionbase.com/static.php?section=en_os4-and-debian and my first attempt without if and /dev/hda instead of /dev/sda did not work I added it in the process of trying to get Linux to boot.

If its not required I will remove it from my a1boot.conf.

@Elwood
Beautiful. Works a treat.

Thanks
ace


PS I am pretty sure the l2cr=8x0000000 was a setting for old A1 kernels to run the L2 cache. Not needed with later kernels or on the SAM

@Elwood


Thank a lot, works like a charm here!! You saved me going through some headache! I just had to copy and paste (and change the FS via MediaToolBox back to LNX\00 [4C4E5800]! thanx again!

@Chris
Quote:

I don't know why, but it really was that slow. Linux was ok but OS4 not. Anyway problem solved with SLB.