Ubuntu for PowerPC - Claim failed for initrd memory

[dave oswald]

Hi all - having problems installing PowerPC Ubuntu. Hopefully this has been sent to the correct group...

Package:       Base install of Op. System.
Boot method:   Booting from IBM IVM Virtual Optical CD
Image version: ubuntu-8.10-server-powerpc.iso
Date:          Feb 10, 2009

Machine:    IBM JS21 Blade
Processor:  Power5
Memory:     4 GB
Partitions: Ubuntu LPAR has 1GB/Ram with 8GB Disk

Output of lspci -nn and lspci -vnn:  Not applicable - system will not install.

Base System Installation Checklist:
[O] = OK, [E] = Error (please elaborate below), [ ] = didn't try it

Initial boot:           [o]
Detect network card:    [ ]
Configure network:      [ ]
Detect CD:              [ ]
Load installer modules: [ ]
Detect hard drives:     [ ]
Partition hard drives:  [ ]
Install base system:    [ ]
Clock/timezone setup:   [ ]
User/password setup:    [ ]
Install tasks:          [ ]
Install boot loader:    [o]
Overall install:        [E]

Comments/Problems:

Hi all, I am demoing various Linux operating systems on IBM's Power equipment. 
I am using a JS21 Blade power5 machine for this task, and creating LPARS for each linux system I am showcasing.

So far I have the standard supported RedHat and Suse running (yawn), but have also installed Debian (which has some minor installation issues), 
and also Gentoo. BTW the debian system is ScArY fast under Power5, I see that Ubuntu also runs on PowerPC and will attempt to demo this system as well ( maybe? ).

Heres the problem:
----------------------
After booting the LPAR - I point the IBM SMS at the virtual CD-Rom image (ubuntu-8.10-server-powerpc.iso) and as expected I proceed directly into yaboot... 
I press the tab key and I see all the 32/64 bit kernel entries...

Just like Debian and Gentoo the 32bit kernels are non-functional (past experience tells me - I must use the 64 bit kernels ).

So I select the install-powerpc64 (and also tried expert-powerpc64), and we see:
   - Please wait, loading kernel...
   -    Elf64 kernel loaded...
   - Loading ramdisk...
   - Claim failed for initrd memory
   - ramdisk load failed !
   - ENTER called ok
   - 0 >

Heres what a Debian system looks like:
   - Please wait, loading kernel...
   -    Elf64 kernel loaded...
   - Loading ramdisk...
   - OF stfout device is /vdevice/vty at 30000000
   - Hypertas detected, assuming LPAR !
   - command line: root=/dev/sda2 ro
   - memory layout at init:
   - alloc_bottom : 0000000002c5a000
   - alloc_top    : 0000000008000000
   - alloc_top_hi : 0000000020000000
   - looking for displays 
   - etc...

Please note - there may be mistakes - as I have no cut+paste capabilities with this configuration.

So the question is:
-------------------
 - Does Ubuntu actually run on IBM Power5 ?
 - It would seem that the Ubuntu install did not recognise that he was been dropped into an LPAR... causing the ramdisk load to fail ... yes/no ?

Your time and consideration are greatly appreciated.

Thanks - Dave / njdpo at hotmail.com


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