Re: [9fans] An unsuccessful attempt to install on Thinkpad T43

[Eric Van Hensbergen <ericvh@gmail.com>]

Since you are already running Linux, you may want to consider lguest -
it solves the Ethernet problem and does not incur perceivable
performance penalties in the T43.

    -eric

On Mon, 18 Feb 2008 6:55 am, Hongzheng Wang wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> Today, I try to install Plan9 on a Thinkpad T43 laptop.
> Unforturnately, this attemp failed at last; there are some difficult,
> at least for me, problems I cannot solve.  So I am composing this post
> to seek help.
>
> The cd image I used is Feb 16 built version, downloaded from Plan9's
> official website.  It looks different from a previous version I used
> to install Plan9 on an old PC.  For example, after booting machine
> with the cd, there are three options (install, livecd, and debug
> livecd) instead.
>
> The first problem I encountered is that DMA could not be enabled
> during installation, although I have explicitly enable it when I am
> asked.  As a result, the copydisc task is executed so slow.
> Furthermore, it claims that some files cannot be copied since they
> don't exist.  I try reinstall the system, but it seems that the
> installation procedure prefer to continuing previous installation.
> That is, it didn't try to recopy all files from cd and the missing
> warnings are still there.  At last, I ignored them.
>
> For boot method, since I have both Linux and XP on my laptop already,
> I choose grub as multiple boot manager.  That is, I select `plan9' as
> boot method when I am asked and don't install boot instructions into
> MBR.  And configure grub to use `chainloader +1' to boot Plan9.
>
> After booting into Plan9, it always stops at `boot from:'. After some
> investigation, I found the problem is that the installation procedure
> didn't copy kernel image 9pcf at all without any prompts.  This
> problem is solved by mannually copying /386/9pcf on cd to 9fat
> partition.  But the system often reports certain files are missing.
> So I decide to reinstall the whole system.
>
> I manually delete the Plan9 partition and format fossil.  So a fresh
> installation is eventually executed.  Surprisingly, there are no
> missing files warning again.  But when I try to boot it, the computer
> always reports:
> PCI System Error on Bus/Device/Function 0000h
> and crashes, while Linux and XP can still be booted through grub.  I
> don't know why yet :(
>
> Another key problem is about the ethernet card.  Thinkpad T43 uses
> Broadcom tg3 card and it seems that this card is not supported by
> Plan9 yet since Broadcom refuses to open its hardware
> specification(?).  So it becomes so difficult to search for answers
> and information because I have to switch between Plan9 and Linux.
>
> That's all.  Thanks.
>
> --
> HZ