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Comment on PC Engines alix3d3 with Debian Lenny by filip

filip — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 10:34:28 +0000

Hi Vladimir,

I read this a bit late, but I can confirm Debian Lenny works without any hacks with new bios.
As for installing new bios, you can also get USB CD-ROM (borrow from someone) and to make bootable DOS CD.
I can’t upload working linux flash image since I’m using USB HDD.
There is a problems here too, if BIOS did not recognize USB HDD, you need a CF with GRUB instructed to boot from HDD.
It works pretty well
CF are not recommended for many write operations as any OS will do.
You can of course install linux as read only, but this is not very useful.

Comment on Debian on alix 3d3 by DataMatrix

DataMatrix — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 09:48:09 +0000

I’m not sure, but I think that the difference between server and desktop setup is just a few security settings in the kernel setup, where the server variant is more strict on security. I don’t think that anything should be done to the server build for it to become a desktop build, except for installing the GUI. Basically this (my) build is a Debian 5 net install, where only the basics where installed and you can remove the servers (ftp, ssh, etc.) and install a desktop enviroment like fluxbox or gnome. Keep in mind that this is very basic machine and I’m not sure how much GUI stuff you can run on it.

Comment on Debian on alix 3d3 by Vladimir

Vladimir — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 18:01:48 +0000

Hi,

I have installed fluxbox desktop on top of this distribution and it behaves quite good, but I think that kernel is setup for server version…where can I adjust responsivnes of the system for desktop environment. I know there is difference between server and desktop environment but dunno where is this adjusted.

In the server environment we do not want to interrupt processes while in desktop everything is focused on visual response of the system….I know I have read somewhere about this but …..:(

regards, Vladimir

Comment on Debian on alix 3d3 by Vladimir

Vladimir — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 22:28:02 +0000

Hi,

finally with xy installs I managed to boot the lenny on alix 3d3 ….to tired to write this moment where I made mistakes but will in next few days

thnx for the support datamatrix & Co.
regards, Vladimir

Comment on Debian on alix 3d3 by Vladimir

Vladimir — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:35:11 +0000

Hi,

I declare myself as a MORON!!!!!!!!!!

Even with this simple howto I am not able to boot the debian system from the USB stick…It hangs with disk boot failure, insert system disk……

I am missing something probably grub install or something….

when I try mount –bind /dev/ /media/ROOTFS/dev in the chroot environment I get error suppose I need to do this not chrooted? I tried and then no error….

How does device.map file looks after edit?
it needs to have only (hd0) /dev/sdc or??

I am totally broken…I am trying to install lenny on the alix 3d3 for thre days without luck…

HELP HELP HELP, what am I doing wrong?

Regards, Vladimir

Comment on PC Engines alix3d3 with Debian Lenny by Vladimir

Vladimir — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:57:25 +0000

Hi Dimitar,

I think I also have a problem with the bios on the alix 3d3 board…..
what is the simplest solution to upgrade bios…all the instructions that are on pcengines website could not make to work..

I made fredos bootable cf card , added bios for alix board, alixbio7 files , and my boot stops on the initdiskbad or missing command interpreter

I feel like absoulte beginner but not quite

what is the simple solution for bios upgrade of alix 3d3d board with award bios ver 7 ?

thnx, Vladimir

Comment on PC Engines alix3d3 with Debian Lenny by DataMatrix

DataMatrix — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:22:31 +0000

Hello, Vladimir.
If I understood correctly you want to use a CF (Compact Flash) card instead of usb flash stick. In my next post ( http://blog.datamatrix-bg.net/2009/06/04/debian-on-alix-3d3/ ) I’ve attached a tar.gz archive of my setup and have some instructions on how to put it to a flash stick, but instead of /dev/sdc you will probably have /dev/cf or something like that for you CF card.
My alix3d3 is currently inoperable (probably beyond repair) due to reversing the supply power polarity and I’m currently unable to afford a new one (and a CF card) to test my statement above and give you direct help.

Best regards, Dimitar.

Comment on PC Engines alix3d3 with Debian Lenny by Vladimir

Vladimir — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:53:39 +0000

Hi,

I see that it is possible to install debian on the alix 3d3 board….hm…I read the instructions but my knowledge about linux is nowhere close to honored writer above

Is there any chance some solution that does not include compiling the kernel and similar.

Lets say CF image or similar that I can copy to CF Card!

I am willing to donate some $ for help on this matter!

Best regards, Vladimir

Comment on Debian on alix 3d3 by Phil Chambers

Phil Chambers — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 13:08:19 +0000

Hi DataMatrix,

Great HOWTO and thanks a lot for the files, I was beginning to get very tired of trying various images around the net that hang at/around the grub stage or don’t boot!

To get eth0 to work you’ll have to delete the references to the mac address of the original Alix 3D3 that this was built on, here:

/etc/udev/rules.d/70-persistent-net.rules

Deleting the whole file is OK – it will be regenerated later, then everything works a treat.

Cheers!

Comment on Debian on alix 3d3 by DataMatrix

DataMatrix — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:16:06 +0000

I’ll check my flash drive to see what’s in there, maybe it’s my mistake. For now my ALIX is broken and I don’t have the money for a new one, so the project is on hold.