xp900 alpha

[dbrianson]

I have a compaq xp900 alphastation machine that has had the harddrive wiped. Is it possible to put linux on it, if so, what type? I've never messed with alphas or linux, the machine is giving a bootstrap error with a >>> prompt. What do I need to do?

[oz]

Welcome to the forums!

I've never run alpha processors either, but there are a number of alpha Linux distros available. Look here for a listing of some of them along with other information:

The AlphaLinux Homepage

Hope it works out well for you.

[dbrianson]

I've visited that page before and there alot of good info, however, the section on how to bootstrap the machine has a deadlink and i can't seem to figure out how in the world to get into the machine's setup. Does anyone know how to get into an xp900 bios setup? Or better yet, have a list of commands that this thing understands? I have gotten it to a blue screen with a blinking prompt but thats it so far. I have 7 of these machines all in working order but don't know much about them. Also, something else that is weird is that all the cd drives won't open when you press the button, weird man.

[foottuns]

have you try it suse? look for suse, fedora or ubuntu, those are good distros...

[HROAdmin26]

All of the Linux distro's I know of on Alpha should be installed using the SRM console - which you have already seen (blue screen.)

Google > linux install alpha



What is SRM?

SRM console is used by Alpha systems as Unix-style boot firmware. Tru64 Unix and OpenVMS depend on it and Linux can boot from it. You can recognize SRM console as a blue screen with a prompt that is presented to you on power-up.

Debian's Alpha install guide is also helpful.

[dbrianson]

Cool, thanks for the install guide. If this usb "easy button" I bought from Staples doesn't work i'll try that next

[dbrianson]

I got her going, i'm looking at the debian desktop now and on the net with it, thanks ya'll. Now i need to change the resolution.