With heavy bug reporting and testing yast2-product-creator reached an already usable state. Of course, it is still not perfect, as it only works for CD installs and for USB keys, if the files are in the root directory (I'm just trying to convince the developer not to hard code / in front of path names...). (
Update: the problem is in libzypp, installing over the network works, only partitions have this problem)
The files are available at
http://genesi.hu/suse/xfceppc/
It is about a 682MB download. Right now it the files need to be placed into the root directory of a CD (700MB) or flash drive (min. 1GB) to be useful. If the HDD is not yet partitioned, it is recommended to use a 2GB USB key, so there is enough space for a swap file.
As most EFIKAs are not equipped with a CD drive, I'll consider here the USB key way. To boot, just enter at the 'ok' prompt:
Code:
boot hd0:1 suseboot/inst32
There are many useful parameters, which can be appended here:
Code:
linemode=0
to use nice menus instead of one optimized for dumb serial terminals.
Code:
textmode=1
for a textmode install (needs less RAM)
Code:
vnc=1 vncpassword=mysecret123
for a VNC based installation, so it can be followed on a remote screen. The password needs to be at least 8 characters long.
Code:
console=ttyPSC0,115200
for a serial console based installation (it is recommended to combine it with VNC)
On the EFIKA, the USB key is not automatically found. This can be helped by loading the 'usb-storage' kernel module. Once the kernel is booted, the installer prints on the screen, that no installation source is found, and gives a menu. Use this to load the module (it's the 3rd module among USB modules).
Once the module is loaded, go on with starting the installer. Use 'partition' as installation source. The one you need is on /dev/sdb1, and the directory is '/' (see above, '/' is hardcoded...). (
Update: the problem is somewhere else).
The next step is adding some swap. If a swap partition already exists, it can be activated here. If not, a swap file can be created on the USB key. Warning: it is very slow...
Once there, choose 'new installation' and don't add any additional installation sources.
On the screen, where KDE/GNOME/Other is listed, choose 'Other', and 'Text only'.
On the next screen switch to 'Expert' at the top of the screen. Now there are a lot more choices, available.
Use the 'partitioner' to change the automatic suggestion, if needed. The 'Prep' partition does not hurt, but can be safely deleted despite any warning messages. Be aware, that / needs to be ext2/ext3 (which is default) to be able to boot from (or more precisely /boot, if you do an advanced partitioning).
In the software selection menu, choose the 'xfce' pattern, which will select the rest of the patterns. 'abiword' and 'gnumeric' are also available using the 'details' menu.
The boot manager installation needs to be disabled.
It is a matter of taste, I prefer to boot to a text only login prompt and not to use a graphical display manager. 'xdm', which is installed, is pretty dumb anyway :-) It can be changed at the runlevel configuration, 3 is for text only, 5 is for graphical logins.
Now you can start installation. Time for a coffee, reading powerdeveloper.org and BBRV blogs :-)
Once the first stage of installation is ready, the machine will be rebooted. As there is no bootable kernel available, one needs to use 'inst32' to boot the second stage of installation (see above). There is no need to enter parameters again, except for the serial console, if used.
Boot the installed system from the menu. Yast2 will start again. Now you can configure your network and hardware. Upgrading during installation needs to be skipped, other way many unnecessary packages are installed (see later). Sound can't be configured here.
Once the installation is finished, a login prompt appears (or xdm, if runlevel left at 5). Login as root, and do the following to finish up your installation:
If you have an internet connection, upgrade your system:
Code:
echo '*64bit*' > /etc/zypp/locks
to exclude 64bit packages (Pegasos & EFIKA are 32 bit)
Code:
rpm -qa | grep 64bit | xargs rpm -e --nodeps
to remove installed 64bit packages
Code:
zypper up
to upgrade packages.
Create a bootable kernel:
Code:
mkzimage --vmlinux /boot/vmlinuz --initrd /boot/initrd --output /boot/efika
to create a bootable kernel in /boot/efika (it could be anywhere, but I use this place from now on in my examples). One can also use the
Code:
--cmdline root=/dev/sdaX
, so the root device does not need to be typed on each boot or fixed into OF.
Enable sound for the next boot by editing /etc/sysconfig/kernel with your favorite text editor (vi :-) ), and add these two parameters to 'MODULES_LOADED_ON_BOOT' to look like this:
Code:
MODULES_LOADED_ON_BOOT="snd_mpc52xx_ac97 snd_pcm_oss"
Now you can reboot, and boot using the freshly generated /boot/efika kernel. Sound is muted by default, so it needs to be unmuted. Use 'alsamixer' to do this. Up/down arrows can change volume, 'm' can mute/unmute channels, and left/right arrows can be used to choose the channel to work on. At least 'Master' and 'PCM' needs to be unmuted (there is a green light under them) and set to a reasonable volume.
Login as your regular user, and enter 'startxfce4' to start XFCE from the command prompt.
Have a lot of fun! ((open)SUSE (R)(TM) :-) )
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