Date: Thu, 25 Jul 2002 14:54:26 -0600 From: Chris Brotherton <chris@evilelement.net> To: Mike Cochran <wab@sbcglobal.net> Cc: freebsd-alpha@freebsd.org Subject: Re: Will my machine run freeBSD? Message-ID: <3D406582.5040700@evilelement.net> References: <00bc01c2341b$80c32830$6e787043@salamundi.com>
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Mike Cochran wrote: > Howdy, > > > > I have freebsd installed on an old intel machine, and I am enjoying > working with the OS from a hobbyist's perspective. I'm kinda bored with > x86 and want to pick up an old alphaserver. I have access to an older > alpha machine, a (compaq) "Digital Ultimate Workstation 533a" that I can > pick up for VERY cheap. So I'd like to try installing freeBSD on this > unused alpha if possible. > > > > This alpha, which is basically an alphaserver 1200, originally shipped > with NT and I'm sure it boots into alphabios. There is another version > of the machine that shipped with digital unix or vms that is called the > 533au. > > > > My question is: Is there a setting in the firmware that allows you to > choose between alphabios and srm? If not, can I update/change the > firmware on this "Digital alpha workstation 533a" to load the firmware > that supports digital unix, and therefore possibly freeBSD or failing > that, some other linux, as well? > > > > Any help would be very cool. This is a new area to me, I've never played > around on these machines before, and I don't even have one in front of > me to know if my question even makes sense. > > > > Thanks, > > > > Mike > Mike, Many of the "a" series came with adaptec SCSI controllers. These controllers cannot be booted from when using the SRM console (SRM is required for FreeBSD). The "au" series came with Qlogic SCSI controllers that are bootable. However, some of the newer "a" series have Qlogic onboard SCSI controllers. These machines are easy to pick out because they have USB. Long story short, if you have an adaptec SCSI controller you will not be able to boot from it, but I have heard it is possible to boot from an IDE drive and use the SCSI drives as storage. Chris. To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org with "unsubscribe freebsd-alpha" in the body of the message
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