OBI PPC?

[Eric Bradshaw]

Several issues come to mind when I read you were asking about installing 
Lubuntu on a PPC Mac of that age. After reading what I'm about to tell 
you, you may not be willing to put in the time and resources necessary 
to get Lubuntu on there.

1. A 900MHz iBook must be a G3 (PowerPC 750fx) processor which could put 
you in a catch-22 situation. The computer won't reliably run Linux 
without updated firmware, but the computer has to be running Apple Mac 
OS 9.1-9.2.2 to be able to install the firmware update. If it's running 
this OS already, the firmware update is a free download from Apple.com. 
If it's not (Go to the Apple menu --> About this Computer or About the 
Mac to see), that's commercial software you'd have to buy first. If it's 
somehow running OS X (10.x - I don't see how on 128 MB RAM, but anyway) 
than this firmware update must have already been applied.
2. That Mac can't boot from USB at all. You have to install via CD and I 
would advise from the alternate-powerpc.iso, so be sure you have a 
working CD drive. I believe the model you have is detailed here: 
https://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/ibook/specs/ibook_900.html
3. 128 MB RAM is not enough RAM to install even the alternate installer. 
It may be technically possible, but in my personal opinion you'll need 
double that.

Go to iLinux (or search the Ubuntu forums) and write down the path to an 
xorg.conf file for your model. 
http://mac.linux.be/content/xorgconf-files (I believe it's either 
powerbook1.txt or powerbook1.txt) you'll need to wget this later.

4. Always (when it doubt if it's been done - do it) hold down command 
(Apple) + option + P + R at startup before the first chime and until you 
hear a second chime. This "Zaps the PRAM" (Parameter RAM) and resets the 
date and time. This will avoid errors where things are being installed 
"in the future."
5. Insert the Alternate PPC Install CD, restart (or shut off, wait 30 
seconds or so and boot up again) with the Alternate PPC Install CD 
inside the iBook. If the CD comes out, hit the Eject key (top right) on 
the keyboard again. Immediately hold down the "c" key and keep holding 
it until the Alternate PPC Install CD starts up the machine. You may 
have to hold the "c" key down for a while.
6. At the black “Boot:” screen prompt, type: live-nosplash 
video=ofonly[return]. Install Lubuntu, using entire disk when asked how 
to partition. You'll see some "extra" partitions than what you are used 
to - don't mess with them.

After Installing and Rebooting the First Time
At the Second Yaboot prompt
Welcome to Yaboot Version X.X.XX Enter "help" to get some basic usage 
information... boot:
Type: Linux nosplash video=ofonly nouveau.modeset=0[return]
At prompt, type:
wget http://mac.linux.be/files/xorg/powerbook1.txt[return]
At prompt, type:
sudo nano /etc/X11/xorg.conf[return]
Type: control+R[return]
Type: imac-333-trayload.txt[return]
Type: control+O[return]
Type: control+X[return]
Type: sudo reboot[return]

Troubleshooting the install:
1. Try resetting NVRAM. Hold down command(Apple) + option + O + F while 
booting to get into Open Firmware.... keep holding those keys down and 
you'll see a white screen with some text and the 0> prompt. This will 
get you into Open Firmware. This should work to get into Open Firmware 
no matter what the OS is on the hard drive - even a completely wiped 
hard drive.
At the 0> prompt, type: reset-nvram [return] set-defaults [return] 
reset-all [return] The machine should reboot after the last command. 
Hold down "C" to boot from the CD.
2. If there is more than one OS available (there is already an OS on the 
machine) holding down the option key at Startup should give you boot 
options. If there is the Alternate PPC Install CD in the CD Drive - that 
should be one of the options.
3. If you're not able to boot from the Alternate PPC Install CD by any 
other method, try booting from a CD from within Open Firmware. With the 
Alternate PPC Install CD in the drive, hold down command(Apple) + option 
+ O + F... keep holding those keys down and you'll see a white screen 
with some text and the 0> prompt. This should get you into Open 
Firmware. Even an iMac with a completely wiped hard drive will open Open 
Firmware.
At the 0> prompt, type: boot cd:,\\:tbxi[return]
4. About the PRAM Battery: If the computer won't hold the date and time 
(even after zapping the PRAM) and you get errors about things being 
installed in the future, you probably need a new PRAM battery. The time 
and date info is stored in the PRAM Battery, which is (re)charged by the 
computer being plugged-in to a wall outlet. This is NOT a "button-type" 
PC battery. The PRAM Battery is a "1/2 AA" 3.6 Volts and it's a short, 
fat cylinder witha tip on one end. If you have a volt meter to test (it 
will have to be removed before testing) it should show between 3.64v to 
3.69v or it's on it's way out. The life expectancy of one of these 
batteries is 5 years to forever if the computer is constantly plugged in 
to a reliable power source. Two batteries of this type are the Maxell 
ER3S LS14250 SBAA02 1/2 AA Lithium Battery, or SAFT Lithium 3.6 Volt 
Battery LS 14250 1/2 AA - though at least in the past, there were 5 or 6 
different battery manufacturers of this type. Some of these batteries 
will look a little different than others; but all should measure the 
same size tip-to-tip. If you don't want to order one online (much 
cheaper than a retail store), you can find these batteries at places 
like Radio Shack and Batteries Plus as long as you describe it with the 
actual specs, and/or bring the old one in to show them. Do yourself a 
favor and don't ask for a Mac or Apple battery; this will only confuse 
the sales person and make it more likely they will tell you they don't 
carry it.

There is also this https://wiki.ubuntu.com/PowerPCFAQ#Troubleshooting 
and this http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2131612

Eric