wish to use Debian Linux 1.3 on my Intel 486 machine and I am unable to boot.
I am unclear on where to go for help in booting debian linux. I have created a boot disc from the raw image resc1440.bin. I have attempted to boot many times always with the same result. I assume mailing to this list is my best chance to find a lead on where to even look to find the answer I've already looked through the FAQ and hardware Howto. I suspect the problem is related to the fact I have an adaptec 2840VL SCSI controller for my hard drive (as well as CD-ROM). The help screens yeild some terse and cryptic hints at what I might need to do. A list of boot parameters displayed when hitting F5 implies that Adaptec 284x SCSI controllers are supported but linux needs a boot parameter based on the template "aic7xxx=[disable reset]" Idon't know what this means. Pouring through the documenation for the SCSI controller I see that it contains an AIC7770 chip, so perhaps I type the following at the "boot:" prompt: linux aic7770=1 to disable reset (I don't know what that does) or linux aic7770=0 to not disable reset Neither way works and the result is the same as the default boot (just hitting enter) I get an error message "kernel cannot handle dereferenced NULL pointer" and the system hangs after displaying a dump of the processor registers. I'm honestly not even clear if the SCSI controller is my problem. I am grateful for any help, Thank You -Chip Grandits -- TO UNSUBSCRIBE FROM THIS MAILING LIST: e-mail the word "unsubscribe" to [EMAIL PROTECTED] . Trouble? e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] .
