How To: Boot PowerPC live/desktop ISOs via grub2

**rsavage** · September 1st, 2012

This how to shows how grub2 can be used to boot a PowerPC live/desktop iso file stored on a USB flash drive. It is an alternative to using the dd command or extracting the contents of the iso file.

This method is so easy my dog could do it!

I've tested this on a fat32 flash drive using an MS-DOS partition table. You'll have to do some adjustments if the flash drive is formatted with an Apple Partition Map (becuase the map takes up partition 1).

Copy the live/desktop iso file to the first partition of your USB flash drive.
Copy the attached files (grub.cfg, grub.img and ofboot.b) to the first partition of your USB flash drive.

Boot into openfirmware

Check you have fat support:

Code:

dev /packages ls

and look for the listing "/fat-files".

Find your usb partition using the dir command (this command lists files). Your partition will probably be usb0/disk@1:1 , usb1/disk@1:1 or ud:1

Code:

dir usb0/disk@1:1,\
dir usb1/disk@1:1,\
dir ud:1,\

Then boot the ofboot.b file. For example:

Code:

boot usb0/disk@1:1,\ofboot.b

You'll get some error message about prefix not being set. Just ignore it.

Choose your ubuntu derivative and machine from the menu. The menu entries are setup for 12.04, so if you've downloaded a different version you'll have to edit the menu entry by pressing 'e'. Change the isofile value to the name of the iso.

Your live system should now boot!

For info:

The gub.img was created with this command

Code:

sudo grub-mkimage --prefix="(grubdevice,1)" -o grub.img -O powerpc-ieee1275 -v part_apple part_msdos hfs hfsplus ext2 fat iso9660 loopback linux configfile

If you want to re-run the command you need to install the grub-ieee1275 package.

**rsavage** · September 13th, 2012

If you need to add a 'yaboot parameter' then at the grub menu hit the 'e' key. Add the parameter(s) after the words "quiet splash" (or delete the word splash). When you've made the changes use Ctrl+x to boot.

For some reason you don't see the b43 firmware messages....so if you are using 12.04 and it hangs for no reason and you have an airport extreme card then try using the 'yaboot parameter' b43.blacklist=yes (see PowerPC Known Issues wiki)

If you have stored the grub files somewhere other than the first partition then use the 'configfile' command. It you don't have a USB flash drive then you could use a hard disk partition.

If you'd like to use the the mini.iso then you don't have to download the iso. Just use the initrd.gz and vmlinux files from here http://ports.ubuntu.com/dists/precis...werpc/netboot/ .

If you want to use an alternate CD then download the initrd.gz and vmlinux files from here http://ports.ubuntu.com/dists/precis...erpc/hd-media/ .

You don't have to use the 'loopback' feature with the mini/alternate CDs. See the yaboot.conf files for what you need to type in grub. I can give instructions if requested.

Finally, I've put together instructions for using grub2 on an installed system. I hope they are pretty easy to follow:

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/PowerPCFAQ#C...stall_grub2.3F

**Eudaimon** · September 14th, 2012

Savage, I've got the closest with your method. However, it says that it can't load because it doesn't have the right "kernel". I'm a noob so excuse my ignorance, but what kernel am I supposed to load?

**rsavage** · September 14th, 2012

You'll have to give me a bit more to go on ..... what machine do you have and what ISO are you trying to boot ... or is this on an installed system?

**Eudaimon** · September 14th, 2012

I'm working off of an old Mac Powerbook G4 running 10.4.11 512 MB DDR2 SDRAM. I'm essentially trying to completely erase my old Mac OS and replace it with a Ubuntu so that it runs faster. It's not an essential laptop, I'm using it as a secondary computer. I don't have anything on the Mac that I need so I can completely install a new OS and wipe the entire mac without worry.

I'm trying to load Ubuntu from a USB. I've wiped the USB using DiskUtility as MS-FAT, copied ubuntu-12.04.1-desktop-i386.iso onto it, as well as your 3 files (grub.img, ofboot.b, grub.cfg). Starting in OpenFirmware, I followed your instructions below. It boots into a black screen, but then when I change the filename as you instructed, it says:

error: file not found
error: you need to load the kernel first

And then it gets into the loopback loop thing. From the loopback window I'm lost. Thanks again for your quick response. Cheers! Eudaimon