IBM PC Cerver 330 + Linux
 

Howdy,
I just got hold of a IBM PC Server 330 which my work used to use.
http://www5.pc.ibm.com/us/products.n...ookup/_864021Y

I really want to get slackware running on it but it would seem that none of the kernels on the cd will work.
I've tried the scsi.s , scsi2.s and adaptec.s.

The chip is an Adaptec AIC 7880.

Out of curiosity I tried installing RedHat v8 (had it on cd) and after it boots it automatically loads the driver for "Adaptec AIC 7xxx". The install then goes fine.

So my question would be where can I get this kernel and how can Slackware be installed ?

Ta for any help,
shado

Erm... there should be some boot options on the Slack8.1 CD when you get the boot prompt. (I think it's F3...) and you can try the scsi.i image. You've got some pretty standard hardware by the sound of it, but what may throw a wrench into the works for ya is a RAID card onboard. Find out if you've got one and if so, which one.

Post here when you get more info.

there should be some boot options on the Slack8.1 CD when you get the boot prompt.
Should have mentioned, Im tying to install Slackware v9.0

and you can try the scsi.i image.
I've tried the scsi.s , scsi2.s and adaptec.s

but what may throw a wrench into the works for ya is a RAID card onboard. Find out if you've got one and if so, which one.
The chip is an Adaptec AIC 7880.

Anyone else got any usefull info ?

ok... since that was apparently useless to you...

Is there any other info you care to add like error messages from the boot process?

Sorry mcleodnine,I didnt mean to come across as rude..
Its just everything you asked in your first post was allready answered in my first post.

When I get to the initial login, I login as "root" and then either try "cfdisk" or "fdisk /dev/sda" and both give me the same error of "No disk found" or something along those lines.

I know the scsi setup works fine as both win2000 and redhat (eeeww) were both able to see them as a single disk and install fine.

It has to be with something to do with slackware, I'm just not experienced with slacks (or *nix in general) to know how to get the install to see the disks.

Thanks
Allan

Agh - I'm just a bit twitchy as it's now 5am. :)

So it looks like you're able to boot from the Slack install cd and get some sort of a console. This is good. If you're booting with one of the scsi images - try 'modprobe aic7xxx' and see if that can get your boat floating. You may need to check the README files for the scsi.s/adaptec.s/scsi.2 to see if there's anything extra-special you need to do.

Agh - I'm just a bit twitchy as it's now 5am.

hehehe, get some sleeeep :)

So it looks like you're able to boot from the Slack install cd and get some sort of a console.

Im booting from the cd, as you would when you try to install. I get the first part where it says "boot: ". When I install it to my other machine the default kernel image was fine. Now that everythings scsi I cant use that kernel (obviously). So I try the scsi, scsi2 and adaptec one. With all of them I can get to the next bit where you select keyboard etc. Then it tells you to log in as root and partition the drives and then run 'setup".
I login, run cfdisk or fdisk but neither can see the drives...

I think I need a kernel that includes support for the 'AIC 7800' adaptec chip ... but where do I get one from and how do I use it ?

Have you tried jumping to another console (Alt-F2 or Alt-F3, etc - until you find a '#' prompt). Then try the "modprobe" that mcleodnine suggested.

Many Kernels load such drivers using Modules - this one probably does as well.

<detail>
Modules are not built into the Kernel directly, and must be loaded - yet they are still PART of the Kernel, and compiled at the same time as the Kernel. So it is likely that the "adaptec.s" kernel choice was compiled along with modules for all supported adaptec cards. Most modules can be compiled directly into the Kernel as well - but for a CD-Boot, that doesn't make sense, because the Kernel would get very bloated, very fast.
</detail>

http://www.slackware.com/install/bootdisk.php

Nevermind - a quick look at the above site tells me that there is a specific kernel for the Adaptec AIC7XXX, "aic7xxx.s".

0h

And what's so wrong with RedHat? Sure it's got that goofy graphics inserted into Gnome, but for software, RPM and vendor support - it can't be beat (until UnitedLinux is viable).

Thanks GAVollink,
Ive had a browse through most of the sites that mirror slackware (from the "getslack" link) and cant find any that have the AIC 7xxx boot disk image.

Any idea where I might find it ?

EDIT

Just found the aic7xxx kernel image and i've used winiso to add it to my slacks bootable cd...
Ill try install it tomorrow and see how it goes.

*Fingers crossed* :D