I'm trying to install NetBSD 1.5.2 on a DECstation 5000/240 with the prom
version which does not work for tftp booting. So I went for the diskimage
solution and used a Sparcstation IPX running NetBSD to write the image to a
disk. The DECstation starts to boot the kernel just fine, but then hangs after
recognizing "scc0". Thinking it might be a problem with the framebuffer
support, I turned on the serial console and indeed it gets a bit farther, by
recognizing the SCSI controller, but right after that it throws me into the
">>" prompt.

I'm quickly running out of ideas. I still have the option of booting from
CD-ROM, although I don't think that will make much difference. I know that
others are successfully running NetBSD on the 5000/240, that's why I'm still
trying.

Ideas on what might be going wrong:

1. I did not have any disks available with the old 50 pin connector, only a
4.5GB wide SCSI Seagate. I used a converter to be able to connect the disk to
the box. As far as I can see from the boot messages available around the
internet, the next thing after the SCSI controller is recognzied should be the
disks. So I might try replacing the disk (I have an old 200MB Maxtor ready,
should be enough for the test) and see if that makes it work.

2. Support for some other machine in the kernel is causing the problem when
run on the 5000/240. Is this possible at all? Would somebody be willing to
compile me a 1.5.2 INSTALL kernel with everything not needed on the 5000/240
removed? I'll then throw it into the miniroot and try again.

3. Some weird setting in the PROM. I'll try to use the reset jumper to reset
the PROM settings to the defaults.

4. I have broken hardware.

Any other ideas?