Help installing on a Alpha Server

[Randy48]

Hi, new dude in the Forums! I could use some help. I have two Digital Alpha Server 4/233's, both running Win NT 4.0 Server. I would like to "upgrade" to Linux. I downloaded Red Hat 6.2Alpha and burned the disk. Read the readme's, searched Red Hat, DEC/Digital/Compaq, and tried several methods for installing, but no luck!

If anyone has been successful, please lend a hand!

Thanks
Randy

[Ryeker]

What's the problem? Did you download the ISO? I've installed RedHat on SPARC, and it didn't seem any different than installing to a PC. I can probably assume the same for Alphas (though I have no experience with them).

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ryeker@yahoo.com

Beauty is only skin deep... Attitude runs to the bone. -Dark Angel

[teeitup]

Randy,

It's been a couple of years but I have installed RedHat on Alpha Server 2100's.
They were used as file servers and they ROCKED!

The install is a little tricky due to the bios and boot methods. I remember the instructions from RedHat being pretty good.

I'll look for any notes from that job. I've since left Compaq and have purged my garage of most of my "paper".

I currently have a an Alpha workstation 4/200 that I want to load Debian on and use as my Firewall/Gateway and file server at home. My Tru64 Unix license expired and I hate to let the box rot. I just need some time.

I would love to here about your experience. I'm a big fan of the Alpha product (not as stable since Compaq took over) and Linux makes good use of the horsepower.

Good Luck

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Don't take life to seriously, You'll never get out alive!
-Bugs Bunny-

[Randy48]

teeitup, thanks! These things have been different! I work for the Dept of the Army, Battle Simulation Center at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. I got these from the hospital when they finished their upgrade (No DOCS, disks, or cables). I plan on using them to replace two antique HP servers on two of our "gaming" LANs. I've been reading (not doing any good) and beating keys (not doing much better) and have made very little progress. At the "carrot prompt (SRM)" I can boot to a boot disk and get an "aboot" prompt asking for the kernel. I copied the generic.gz to a floppy and tried, but no go. No DOCs to figure out how to change to the SCSI CD or HDs. I also tried installing through ARC, but didn't even get this far. Some stuff I read talked about MILO and a "Sable" image, couldn't find Sable on any sites. I usually don't have any problems loading software/OSes but man...I've been beating my head against the wall on this one! They seem like great machines dual 233s, 500+MB RAM, with NT, they crack RC5 at about 650K keys/second. From experience, that rate should almost double with Linux :=) (when they're not working of course).

[teeitup]

Randy,

I have a RedHat 5.2 CD for Alpha. It has documentation and instructions on MILO.

I can burn a copy if your interested.

teeitup@gosfgiants.com

The part you mentioned about a Sable image rings bells. I'll see if I can dig something up on it.



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Don't take life to seriously, You'll never get out alive!
-Bugs Bunny-

[Mutiny]

If it works like my Raptor you need a "Unix" bios instead of the "NT" bios.

It sounds wierd, but that was the problem I had. Once the bios stops looking for NT you should be ok.

John Perkins

[Randy48]

Mutiny, I updated the BIOS, thus giving me the ability to get the "aboot" prompt. What I guess I need from here is how to either change the boot device from the "aboot" prompt or ?????

[ssadams]

you will need to change your bios.Then its a pretty easy install(like I have done a wopping 2 installs ) also check out www.alphalinux.org (http://www.alphalinux.org) for upto the minute tips and news.

[Randy48]

teeitup, thanks for the faint flash of hope! I d/l'd 7.0 and burned three last night, it had what I needed. The rest of these insects...ooops grasshoppers/experts, etc flash the BIOS, learn to read the post! I flashed firmware (BIOS to you unknowing) with the lastest update! Alpha's ain't like your little Dells and Gateway garbage boxes! Take a little read here, if you're capable:http://www.redhat.com/apps/search/results.html You'll learn something other than "flash your BIOS" Frickin amazing!