Ubuntu Linux on PPC
well.. recently for some unknown reason, I have been extremely interested in Linux and is about to try out Ubuntu. But before i do, has any one installed Ubuntu on a PPC? (I'm trying to get in running in my G4 ibook) how's the performance? Is slower or the same as the x86 version? I am abit paranoid about the support for the old mac's PPC processor.
EDIT: also, will WINE run under PPC?
EDIT: also, will WINE run under PPC?
Comments
I was 'wow-ed' about the speed compared to OSX. My ibook with 512 ram lags every now and then while running tiger. But with linux...this thing is damn smooth
But Linux isn't about lickable eye-candy only, you know
Originally posted by Aquatic
Sure it is. I want to use a GUI not bash.
Because all GUI are 3D right?
Guess I'll wait until I get a MacBook to check out this whole "Linux" thing.
You can try the whole "Linux" thing right now - there are good drivers for any PPC machine you have. They will provide you with a GUI, and you will not see the command line unless you want to.
3D graphics requires specialized drivers which are available only in binary format for x86-based Linux computers (and sometimes AMD64). PPC Linux is not a big enough market to warrant nVidia and ATi 3D drivers.
For everything else, there are substitutes that work perfectly fine.
Originally posted by mike555
=== I have run Ubuntu live on my ppc mini, it runs good , but when I tried to install it to my firewire external drive the installer kept crashing ........ I didn't try installing it to my main HD (scared) ===
Because it's unable to create the bootstrap partition on the external HD. You have to do it manually but I can't help you on this. If you install it on an internal HD it will work fine. It happened the same to me. 1GHz Titanium.... was nice.
Originally posted by midwinter
Do I have to reformat/re-partition to install?
Ubuntu has a partitioner of its own, and it should be able to partition your drive, including a swap drive (for when apps have to swap to the HD - if you have 1GB+ RAM skip this) without any damage to your OS X installation whatsoever.
In fact, you can download the LiveCD and there will be a simple installer on your desktop, which, when run, will provide you with a nice, simple GUI to do everything you need. And while it installs, you can run the LiveCD as if nothing was happening.
It will install, yet you will be able to use the computer to browse, chat, whatever.
Originally posted by Gene Clean
Ubuntu has a partitioner of its own, and it should be able to partition your drive, including a swap drive (for when apps have to swap to the HD - if you have 1GB+ RAM skip this) without any damage to your OS X installation whatsoever.
In fact, you can download the LiveCD and there will be a simple installer on your desktop, which, when run, will provide you with a nice, simple GUI to do everything you need. And while it installs, you can run the LiveCD as if nothing was happening.
It will install, yet you will be able to use the computer to browse, chat, whatever.
GC: Unless I'm missing something, the partitioner in the installer wants to erase the disk. The problem is that I have no space to give on my internal drives (both are almost full) and my only other external drive that's available is USB2, which seems to be a bitch to boot to.
Right now, the installer keeps hanging at about 8%. No idea why, although I suspect a problem with my CDRW (I used Toast's "quick erase" on it).
Originally posted by midwinter
[B]GC: Unless I'm missing something, the partitioner in the installer wants to erase the disk.
There's an "advanced" (or expert, can't quite recall) option. Choose that one. It will let you create new partitions. It will simply move the data to other parts of the HD and create room for itself (if you don't trust it, make a backup).
You could probably install Ubuntu in a 2GB partition. Do you have that much room to spare?
The problem is that I have no space to give on my internal drives (both are almost full) and my only other external drive that's available is USB2, which seems to be a bitch to boot to.
I never tried booting using USB, but I would think that GRUB (Grand Unified Booter) would be smart enough to autoconfigure booting options.
Right now, the installer keeps hanging at about 8%. No idea why, although I suspect a problem with my CDRW (I used Toast's "quick erase" on it).
It's possible. Check the .iso file too. It might be corrupt.
Originally posted by Gene Clean
There's an "advanced" (or expert, can't quite recall) option. Choose that one. It will let you create new partitions. It will simply move the data to other parts of the HD and create room for itself (if you don't trust it, make a backup).
You could probably install Ubuntu in a 2GB partition. Do you have that much room to spare?
I never tried booting using USB, but I would think that GRUB (Grand Unified Booter) would be smart enough to autoconfigure booting options.
It's possible. Check the .iso file too. It might be corrupt.
Groovy. I'm in the middle of erasing the RW media right now, so I'll reburn and try to reinstall when that's done.
Is there a rule that no Linux installations may be attempted before 3 jack and cokes OR before 10:00 pm?
Originally posted by midwinter
Is there a rule that no Linux installations may be attempted before 3 jack and cokes OR before 10:00 pm?
Oh, believe me, the only x86 computer I have at home (standard PC) is a, now 3-year old- Sony VAIO with a malfunctioning CD-RW drive. It works, but only with XP!
It will boot off of a Linux disc, install disc 1 (of SuSE Linux Enteprise 10) and then reboot, ask for disc 2, and complain that it can't find any media on disc 2! Of course, disc 2 is just fine, as Parallels can read it and install from it.
This way, you'll get the hang of it. And once you install Ubuntu, you won't have to use a CD-based Installer ever again. You will simply upgrade to the next release by using a simple command
apt-get dist-upgrade
.
That's it.
Any ideas?
How To Install Ubuntu Linux On An External USB2 Drive Attached To A Powermac G4
July 2nd, 2006
1) Download the Ubuntu disc image (use the torrent; it?s faster)
2) Burn the image to a disc
3) Place the disc in the drive and reboot, holding down ?c? to force the computer to boot to the disc
4) at the command prompt that comes up, hit enter
5) Watch as installer hangs
6) Repeat steps 3-4
7) Watch as installer hangs
8) Repeat step 6
9) Repeat step 5 and 7
10) Repeat step 8
11) Reformat drive
12) Repeat steps 1-12