On 717046660 seconds since the Beginning of the UNIX epoch
Ed Gould wrote:
>
>I'm trying to install NetBSD 1.5.2 for the first time on an AlphaStation 
>500/333, from floppies.  When the kernel on the floppy tries to boot, it 
>panics immediately with:
>
>	panic: tga_console(7, 0): unknown board configuration

>tga0 at pci0 slot 7
>tga0: depth 32, map size 16MB, 1280x1024
>tga0: ZLXp2-E, Revision: 34

This is a known bug in 1.5.2 which has been fixed in -current.  I
will check to ensure that I requested a pull-up onto the 1.5 branch.

The problem is that the PowerStorm 4d20 gives the 1.5 tga driver
some problems, and the work-around is to simply build a kernel that
does not contain the tga driver.  If the tga driver is absent, then
the PowerStorm 4d20 (and the PowerStorm 3d30) will be recognised
as vga cards and use text mode.  Unfortunately, if you are installing
there is a good chance that you do not have the facility to build
a new kernel.

You could also use the serial console to perform the install and
then build a new kernel (or even upgrade to -current which has much
better support for the PowerStorm 4d20.)

So, at this point you have a few options:

	1.  install over serial console and build a 1.5.2 kernel that
	    does not contain the tga driver.  The pros are that you are
	    still using a release version.  The cons are that this will
	    not be capable of running X.
	2.  install -current on the machine.  NetBSD -current supports
	    the PowerStorm 4d20 as an [unaccelerated] X server.  This is
	    the configuration that I am using at home.
	3.  build an install image that doesn't contain the tga driver
	    and use it.

I'd definitely recommend (1) as installing over serial is very easy
on the alphas---just attach a null-modem cable 9600 8N1 and detach
the keyboard.

 == Roland Dowdeswell                      http://www.Imrryr.ORG/~elric/  ==
 == The Unofficial NetBSD Web Pages        http://www.Imrryr.ORG/NetBSD/  ==
 == The NetBSD Project                            http://www.NetBSD.ORG/  ==