I tried an installation of the new image
"debian-10.0-ppc64-NETINST-1.iso" from [1] on a PowerMac G5.
The image was copied with "dd" on a usb stick and then loaded with on
Open Firmware by using:
boot ud:,\install\yaboot
I did an "expert mode" installation and loaded the following modules:
hfs, network-console, fdisk, parted.
Fan were spinning loudly but I can confirm that the following command
stops them:
# modprobe -v windfarm_core
The partitioning step was not working so I edited file
"/lib/partman/init.d/26zfs-devices" changing line 19 from "local
zfs_load_timeout" to "zfs_load_timeout".
At this point the partitioning step started.
I created a new "mac" partition on the hard drive. I tried manual
partitioning but was not able to find a way to create a new "bootstrap"
partition.
I remember there was an option for it in the past, now I can not find
this option for a new partition anymore.
So I used automatic partitioning of the whole drive, which gave me this
layout:
SCSI4 (0,0,0) (sdc) - 163.9 GB ATA Maxtor 6L160M0
#1 32.3 kB Apple
#2 20.0 MB B K untitled
#3 160.4 GB f ext4 untitled /
#4 3.6 GB f swap swap swap
512.0 B FREE SPACE
I felt like something was missing but I continued the installation anyway.
Base system was installed fine.
As repository I used the usual [2].
Used a minimal software selection (default only).
Grub installation failed with the following message:
"An installation step failed. You can try to run the failing item again
from the menu, or skip it and choose something else. The failing step
is: Install the GRUB boot loader on a hard disk"
On the log screen I see:
Apr 7 08:05:14 main-menu[4663]: (process:25067): dpkg-divert: warning:
diverting file '/sbin/start-stop-daemon' from an Essential package with
rename is dangerous, use --no-rename
Apr 7 08:05:14 main-menu[4663]: (process:25067): dpkg-divert: warning:
diverting file '/sbin/start-stop-daemon' from an Essential package with
rename is dangerous, use --no-rename
Apr 7 08:05:14 main-menu[4663]: (process:25067): /usr/bin/grub-installer:
Apr 7 08:05:14 main-menu[4663]: (process:25067): line 252:
Apr 7 08:05:14 main-menu[4663]: (process:25067):
/usr/lib/grub-installer/mkhfs-bootstrap.sh: not found
Apr 7 08:05:14 main-menu[4663]: (process:25067):
Apr 7 08:05:14 main-menu[4663]: WARNING **: Configuring
'grub-installer' failed with error code 1
Apr 7 08:05:14 main-menu[4663]: WARNING **: Menu item 'grub-installer'
failed.
At this point I stopped the installation.
Hope this report helps.
Regards.
[1] https://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/ports/2019-04-06/
[2] ftp.ports.debian.org/debian-ports/
