Compaq Proliant 2500 and Redhat Linux 9
 

Tis been a rough go at getting Redhat linux 9 installed on a Compaq
Proliant 2500.

Couple of tips for solving installation problems, SMP issues, and X
Server video problems.

1. Installation, Memory Issues, and Kernel Panics.....

A widely known problem for linux and PPro machines exists due to
incorrect memory reporting.

Installation should be started using...
linux text mem=exactmap mem=640k@0 mem=128M@1M

Lilo or Grub config should include memory settings...
add - mem=exactmap mem=128M@0

This problem is pretty common and finding more information on the
issue should be easy.

2. SMP, Failed Processors, and Multi-Processor voodoo

If SMP is not working, the BIOS OS setting may need changing. I first
had the machine setup with Other as an OS, but the second processor
would not work under a linux smp kernel. Changing it to Netware 4.1
(SMP) fixed the problem.

3. Cirrus Logic, GD543x, and Video Garbage

X windows displayed garbage on different windows. Try adding the
following line to the XF86Config file under the device section for
your video card...

Option "NoAccel" "true"

I still have a garbage screen when logging out of X Windows, but I
have yet to find screen garbage issues when running X.

Hopefully this can improve the s/n ratio and help other Compaq 2500
users!

Andy Kallenbach

(Andy Kallenbach) wrote in message . com...
Installation should be started using...
linux text mem=exactmap mem=640k@0 mem=128M@1M

A small nit to pick....
The line needs to be mem=exactmap mem=640k@0m mem=(Total ram - 1m)@1m
For your example of 128 meg the line should be
mem=exactmap mem=640k@0m mem=127M@1m

Your example tells the Kernel that the system has 129 megs of ram
installed.

2. SMP, Failed Processors, and Multi-Processor voodoo

If SMP is not working, the BIOS OS setting may need changing. I first
had the machine setup with Other as an OS, but the second processor
would not work under a linux smp kernel. Changing it to Netware 4.1
(SMP) fixed the problem.

It works with the linux setting too. The key is getting the APIC
setting to table - Full Mapped in bios.

Its also very helpful to compile your own kernel once the system is
installed. I have had good success with the Gentoo distribution
(www.gentoo.org). Their approach is to offer 3 install stages (1 for
total compile as you go, 2 compile some, use packages, 3 install from
packages using portage).

3. Cirrus Logic, GD543x, and Video Garbage
X windows displayed garbage on different windows. Try adding the
following line to the XF86Config file under the device section for
your video card...
Option "NoAccel" "true"

I don't run Xwindows on servers. Fortunately vi still edits all the
config files :)

VinceV

Thx for your clear review of installing linux on proliant machine 2500..I
have tried before but never worked i think it`s to much work to get it
running ..Had tried to run a debian version on it without luck...
Pitty no website with some screens how to install it...;-(

greetings marco
"VinceV" wrote in message
om...
(Andy Kallenbach) wrote in message
. com...
Installation should be started using...
linux text mem=exactmap mem=640k@0 mem=128M@1M

A small nit to pick....
The line needs to be mem=exactmap mem=640k@0m mem=(Total ram - 1m)@1m
For your example of 128 meg the line should be
mem=exactmap mem=640k@0m mem=127M@1m

Your example tells the Kernel that the system has 129 megs of ram
installed.

2. SMP, Failed Processors, and Multi-Processor voodoo

If SMP is not working, the BIOS OS setting may need changing. I first
had the machine setup with Other as an OS, but the second processor
would not work under a linux smp kernel. Changing it to Netware 4.1
(SMP) fixed the problem.

It works with the linux setting too. The key is getting the APIC
setting to table - Full Mapped in bios.

Its also very helpful to compile your own kernel once the system is
installed. I have had good success with the Gentoo distribution
(www.gentoo.org). Their approach is to offer 3 install stages (1 for
total compile as you go, 2 compile some, use packages, 3 install from
packages using portage).

3. Cirrus Logic, GD543x, and Video Garbage
X windows displayed garbage on different windows. Try adding the
following line to the XF86Config file under the device section for
your video card...
Option "NoAccel" "true"

I don't run Xwindows on servers. Fortunately vi still edits all the
config files :)

VinceV

Just bear in mind, for all pre-PII processor architectures, the table
mapping in the SCU needs to be FULL TABLE, MAPPED. This applies to P5's and
PPro's.

To get there, press CTRL + A at the first screen when you enter the F10
utilities.

LC

"VinceV" wrote in message
om...
(Andy Kallenbach) wrote in message
. com...
Installation should be started using...
linux text mem=exactmap mem=640k@0 mem=128M@1M

A small nit to pick....
The line needs to be mem=exactmap mem=640k@0m mem=(Total ram - 1m)@1m
For your example of 128 meg the line should be
mem=exactmap mem=640k@0m mem=127M@1m

Your example tells the Kernel that the system has 129 megs of ram
installed.

2. SMP, Failed Processors, and Multi-Processor voodoo

If SMP is not working, the BIOS OS setting may need changing. I first
had the machine setup with Other as an OS, but the second processor
would not work under a linux smp kernel. Changing it to Netware 4.1
(SMP) fixed the problem.

It works with the linux setting too. The key is getting the APIC
setting to table - Full Mapped in bios.

Its also very helpful to compile your own kernel once the system is
installed. I have had good success with the Gentoo distribution
(www.gentoo.org). Their approach is to offer 3 install stages (1 for
total compile as you go, 2 compile some, use packages, 3 install from
packages using portage).

3. Cirrus Logic, GD543x, and Video Garbage
X windows displayed garbage on different windows. Try adding the
following line to the XF86Config file under the device section for
your video card...
Option "NoAccel" "true"

I don't run Xwindows on servers. Fortunately vi still edits all the
config files :)

VinceV