Error: Can't allocate initial device-tree chunk

[conner_bw]

Hi,

I just bought an iMac G3 at a garage sale and I want to install xubuntu 6.06 power pc on it. I've downloaded the ISO, burned it, booted the cd, gotten to the prompt where *live is the default. Shortly therafter I get a gray screen:

Can't allocate initial device-tree chunk

Apple iMac Open Firmware 3.0 f2 build on 04/23/99 at 14:31:03
Copyrught 1994-1999 Apple Computer, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
ok
0 >

I've tried every option available from pressing tab, including `live video=ofonly` to no avail. The machine has 160 megabytes of ram and is a G3 233 MHZ, 4 gigabyte harddrive classic bubly blue iMac from the late 90's, boots into the included Mac OS 8 with no problems.

Help?

[elcuyabro]

you´re not alone in the world, i have the same problem. it seems the grey screen is the "firmware promt " of the imac, not the installation promp. see https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation/PowerPC. try typing "boot cd:,\\:tbxi"

Originally Posted by conner_bw Hi, I just bought an iMac G3 at a garage sale and I want to install xubuntu 6.06 power pc on it. I've downloaded the ISO, burned it, booted the cd, gotten to the prompt where *live is the default. Shortly therafter I get a gray screen: Can't allocate initial device-tree chunk Apple iMac Open Firmware 3.0 f2 build on 04/23/99 at 14:31:03 Copyrught 1994-1999 Apple Computer, Inc. All Rights Reserved ok 0 > I've tried every option available from pressing tab, including `live video=ofonly` to no avail. The machine has 160 megabytes of ram and is a G3 233 MHZ, 4 gigabyte harddrive classic bubly blue iMac from the late 90's, boots into the included Mac OS 8 with no problems. Help?

[conner_bw]

Originally Posted by elcuyabro you´re not alone in the world, i have the same problem. it seems the grey screen is the "firmware promt " of the imac, not the installation promp. see https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation/PowerPC. try typing "boot cd:,\\:tbxi"

Hi, thanks for tip but unfortunately it didn't work. The following is a transcription of what happens:

0 > boot cd:,\\:tbxi load-size=73f adler32=80dda6b0

parsing <CHRP-BOOT>

evaluating <BOOT-SCRIPT>

DEFAULT CATCH!. code=300 at    %SRR0:  016dd1c    %SRR1:  0000b030
 ok
0 >

Thereafter, nothing.

Any other ides?

[conner_bw]

Help?

[avtolle]

is this thread helpful? http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=190131 and here's a bit more information: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/DapperReleas...ityKnownIssues

[conner_bw]

I read those links, searched for hours, but nothing seems to solve my problem. I have filled a bug report.

https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+bug/54098

[bodycoach2]

I've tried to install Ubuntu or Xubuntu 6.06 on a Strawberry iMac G3, 333 Mhz. I get the same 'device-tree chunk' error message. Tried all the work-arounds on this and other threads; no go.

5.10 installs, but boots ONLY if connected to the ethernet. If not, it hangs just after login, and won't boot to the desktop.

I'd really like to get Xubuntu working on this old iMac. Has anyone tried nUbuntu?

Hopefully, this will be fixed in the future. I thought one of the benefits of Linux is being able to run on old equipment. Maybe Edgy Eft will work.

[3rdalbum]

I have no idea what causes the problems. Some people with the iMac 333 can't boot the discs. I tried my ShipIt discs in my iMac 333 and it works. My iMac runs OS 9... I'm wondering whether that might be the deciding factor, whether OS X makes some kind of secret change to the firmware or NVRAM.

It's definately not anything in Linux or Ubuntu that says "You don't have a G4, so you can't run it". There are people actually running Dapper on Oldworld machines (G2s).

The Linux kernel during the earlier stages of Dapper development couldn't boot an Oldworld - maybe a smiliar thing is happening with some of the iMacs.

[bodycoach2]

Device-Tree Chunk problem no more:
I downloaded Xubuntu 6.06.1.
It loaded right up! Installed completely, and will run without ethernet connection (not ever Breezy would do that for me).
It even recognizes my Belkin 54G USB Wireless adapter, but has yet to connect. I'm counting my blessing though. Wired is good enough for this little toy.

That for the fix Ubuntu dev teams.

Originally Posted by bodycoach2 I've tried to install Ubuntu or Xubuntu 6.06 on a Strawberry iMac G3, 333 Mhz. I get the same 'device-tree chunk' error message. Tried all the work-arounds on this and other threads; no go. 5.10 installs, but boots ONLY if connected to the ethernet. If not, it hangs just after login, and won't boot to the desktop. I'd really like to get Xubuntu working on this old iMac. Has anyone tried nUbuntu? Hopefully, this will be fixed in the future. I thought one of the benefits of Linux is being able to run on old equipment. Maybe Edgy Eft will work.

[avtolle]

This seems to substantiate the "kernel on the <original> CD is the problem" hypothesis forwarded by several on the Forum, at least in the case of bodycoach2. From my reading of the various threads, for those having the "can't allocate initial device-tree chunk" problem, it would seem to be worth your while to obtain a download of the 6.06.1 iso, preferably the "alternate install" one; or, download the Xubuntu iso; and try to install these. Remember, those who are on "Old World" Macs, you will need to use Boot-X in a Mac OS partition, copying the kernel (and something else, which escapes me at the moment) into the appropriate file; and boot from there. This is a Linux issue on PPC for Old World Macs. Best of luck to all who are trying to install on their G3s, in particular, and Macs of any stripe, in general.