I'm having problems trying to boot a linux kernel on an ultra-sparc that has a XRV-100 video card. The kernel starts to boot but when it tries to change the console to the framebuffer, the machine resets. I've tried this with several different kernels but all of them reset unless I don't include any framebuffer support at all. Then they just stop at the same spot. The machine is a Tadpole Bullfrog II XPG. The Solaris 8 that is on it boots fine. The official DVDs from Sun for Solaris 8, 9, and 10 have the same problem that Linux has.
Any suggestions or help is greatly appreciated.

www.tadpole.com google is your friend.

As best I can tell there's nothing at www.tadpole.com that addresses the problem at all. I've been in touch with some people from gdc4s (who bought tadpole) and they are trying to find someone who can answer this type of question. They seem to know what they are supposed to--exactly what their documents say at the highest level and nothing much more. They can't explain why Sun's official DVDs won't boot, much less why I can't get a linux kernel to boot. I'm still hoping for something from them, but it's been several days since I last heard anything and I'm pursuing whatever I can think of.
My latest attempt, once I get the download finished, is Debian. I wasn't aware they supported Sparc, so maybe this one will work.

Okay, I've tried the Debian installation CD. Exact same problem--starts to boot and when it switches to the frame buffer, the tadpole resets. I don't think it's a hardware failure problem, because from what I'm told it does this on all Bullfrogs.