[K12OSN] Booting macs

[Shawn Powers]

cliebow at downeast.net wrote:
> if they are old world gv3 without openfirmware..they wont netboot

If it is in fact an iMac (color other than beige) it will neboot.  Even 
the original Bondi iMacs will netboot.

I can't get mine to boot either, and I'm not sure why.  I installed 
4.4.0 pre2 on a test server, with all the default settings, and got an 
iMac to boot fine.  When I put it on a production server (with 4.4.0 
pre3), I can't get it to work.  On the suggestion from David Trask (I 
think?  Maybe Jim Kronebusch...) I edited the /opt/ltsp/ppc/etc/lts.conf 
file to point to the new IP of the server, but still it wouldn't boot. 
Perhaps it was something with my external DHCP server.  I tried copying 
all the if/then magic regarding the kernel image, etc -- but no glory. 
I've been too busy with other stuff (still at work, after 9PM) to 
troubleshoot as well, which really stinks.

Will they boot from a stock (read: all defaults) install on a 2 NIC 
server?  I hope it works for you, it's uber-cool to see one boot up. 
And lastly, no -- you don't see a happy mac.  It goes to a black screen 
with text as soon as it gets the kernel.

If it *is* a beige computer, like the G3 all in one model -- the chubby 
client is the way to go.  I still have a handful of PowerMac 5500's in 
service.  They have a local install of yellowdog linux, and do an X 
-query command to connect to the server.  I even mangled around the esd 
stuff, and they have sound support too.  I haven't messed with them for 
over a year though, so I'm a little rusty.

Don't give up -- even though it's the busiest time of year for most of 
us, I/we/us will try to figure out the problem, especially since you're 
not alone.  (mine won't work either yet)

-Shawn


-- 
Shawn Powers
Technology Director
Inland Lakes Schools
PHN: 231-238-6868 x9174
FAX: 509-356-7024
spowers at inlandlakes.org
http://techcorner.inlandlakes.org

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