On Sep 11, 19:31, Darren Steven wrote:

> Hi Jack,
> 
> I had the same problem (I also use NetBSD 1.0, from Meeting Pearls II CD).
> What you need to do is use BFF file system (available at all good NetBSD
> stores), which will allow you to mount your NetBSD partitions under
> AmigaDOS. You can then copy from the BSD partition to ADOS to allow 'loadbsd
> yourkernel' to work.
> 
> I have heard that BFFS should be only used read-only (don't write to it). I
> don't know if its true, but its better to be safe than sorry.

The latest I heard is to use it read-only and in fact I think the latest
version only allows use as read-only. You could also use a floppy or tape, but
those are not as elegant :-)

> 
> An alternative/additional method (to avoid a complete halt/reboot
> ados/copy/start BSD) is to reboot within NetBSD. There is a device called
> /dev/reboot, and a reboot with the kernel of your choice can be accompished by:
> 
> cp /netbsd /dev/reboot 
> 
> This restarts BSD directly using that kernel image. /netbsd is your new
> kernel, which is copied to /netbsd. 

This is OK for a quick test, but you still need to get the new kernel over to
AmigaDOS for future boots after a reset.

> 
> I don't know when it is safe to do this, as it seems fairly abrupt compared
> to halt/ctrl-amiga-amiga. I usuallly have shut down all I can when I do it.
> Maybe going back to single user mode would be best (kill -TERM 1, as root).

The key thing to do to be safe is to make sure you saved any files you may
be editing and to run the 'sync' command a few times just before doing anything
that shutdowns/reboots the machine. The sync command makes sure everything the
kernel keeps in memory has been written to disk.

I would also recommend using the shutdown command instead of the three-finger
reset or your "kill -TERM 1". Those are rather nasty techniques for rebooting.
A 'shutdown' should lead to single user mode and 'shutdown -r' will get you
back to AmigaDOS. These will perform any required housekeeping, like the sync
command.

> 
> I hope this helps (and doesn't blow up),
> 
> DISCLAIMER...
> 
> Please investigate these methods further before trying them. I am new to
> NetBSD as well, I would hate my advice to trash your system. Perhaps someone
> with more experience could comment.

Good advice even if you are experienced. I've tried to add a few words of
wisdom from my experience with Unix.

> 
> Regards
> 
> 
> Darren Steven
> 
> Australian Maritime College
> Information Technology Services Department
> Newnham Campus
> Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
> 
> Phone (003) 35 4842
> 
> D.Steven@its.amc.edu.au
> 
>-- End of excerpt from Darren Steven



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