pulling hair out over imac G5

JulienPDX · 06-27-2006, 05:04 PM

users

have tried installing::

ubuntu (no go)
gentoo (no go)
debian (no go)

{all three of these distros don't even get past booting into the cd}

and now...yellow dog linux on an Imac G5 (all in one)

Yellow Dog installed (after quite a few issues), but once I get to the login screen; I lose the keyboard and mouse (so obviously, i can't log in)

I'm about to tear my hair out ..is it just impossible to install any distro on an imac G5?

pljvaldez · 06-27-2006, 05:26 PM

Which Ubuntu did you try? I read that Dapper (6.06) should be able to support the iMac G5. Did you use the PPC (or PPC 64 if you have a dual core) edition?

I believe you need to use a distro with a 2.6.15 or later kernel. Dapper should have that. Debian Etch should have that, but Sarge will not. Not sure about Gentoo.

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/iMacG5revC?highlight=%28iMac%29

JulienPDX · 06-27-2006, 05:39 PM

I am currently burning (at a slow speed to reduce the chances that someone will try to say the cd is corrupt) the ubuntu-6.06-alternate-powerpc.iso

I will try it again (becuase now I can't even install OS X.4 back on the machine) with this but the reason i sounded so short was b/c I had so many issues with all the other builds not even doing much past the initial boot from the disc (locking up..etc).

I'll get back to you on how that works.

pljvaldez · 06-27-2006, 05:42 PM

Good luck. Sorry I couldn't be more help, I'm not a Mac guy. Just trying to google around and find other success stories that might be able to help you out...

hakukani · 06-27-2006, 06:16 PM

Just curious: Why can't you reinstall OS X?

I've tried live cds on my tibook G4, but haven't installed linux onit. The live cds work fine. You might try that to get you going.
Good luck

JulienPDX · 06-27-2006, 06:29 PM

and now...a new problem (well, the same i had with yellow dog and am now having with ubuntu)

system installs perfectly..but once I get to a graphical log-in screen..BOOM! no access to mouse or keyboard--so..can't login.

<beats head against desk>..what is the problem?

pljvaldez · 06-27-2006, 06:32 PM

Sounds like a problem with your xorg.conf file.

During the bootup phase, try going to another (text only) console. On PC's this is done with CTRL+ALT+F2 or the like. Not sure about Mac. Or try installing a base system without X. If you have a keyboard/mouse that works, then you know it's an xorg problem...

JulienPDX · 06-27-2006, 06:51 PM

well, this is starting to sound oh-too-familiar...linux not running on G5's easily..<sigh><

JulienPDX · 06-27-2006, 06:52 PM

btw, why am i called a "newbie" under my name? i have been a registered users since 2005 and i have linux running on my home pc's just fine..have been for over a year

pljvaldez · 06-27-2006, 07:01 PM

I think it's directly related to your number of posts. As you can see, you've been much longer than I have (and may very well be more knowledgable than me), but I've attempted to help screw up a lot more people.

As for the keyboard mouse problem, (I'm sure it isn't) but is it any special kind of keyboard & mouse? Wireless USB or something?

JulienPDX · 06-27-2006, 07:15 PM

usb mac keyboard; usb microsoft optical mouse