Open Firmware: "dir method failed"

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Open Firmware: "dir method failed"

Hello,
I've a problem when I try to turn to my hd or cd from Open Firmware. What I'm doing wrong?
I tried: 0 > boot atapi:,\boot\loader
It returns: bad partition number, using 0no bootable HFS partition
So, I tried: 0 > boot atapi@0:,\boot\loader
It exit from OF, try to boot, but unfortunately, I see '?' floppy.
So I tried to read from my cd with 'dir' command: 0 > dir atapi:,\
But I get: bad partition number, using 0DIR method failed
And also with the @0 I get this message: can't OPEN the DIR device
So I tried to read from the hd with this command (after I execuded the "nvalias hd (device-path)"): dir hd:,\
but again I get this error message: bad partition number, using 0DIR method failed.
When I perform all this commands I definitely hear a 'request noise' from cd, in 'dir atapi' case, and from hd, in 'dir hd' case.

My devalias atapi /bandit/ohare/media-bay/ata/atapi-disk
and devalias hd /bandit/ohare/ata/ata-disk@0
I have Open Firmware 2.0.1 version, PowerBook 3400c, and also my cd is iso9660 type

Please help me, what I'm doing wrong?

Thanks,
Alex

PowerBook 3400c, Mac OS 9.0.x

Posted on Aug 15, 2008 5:49 AM

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Answer 1

Aug 15, 2008 6:55 PM in response to alek.sys

Not many people try to start their Macintosh computers by programming on the bare metal when other more convenient methods are available. So few can answer your query directly.

The likely problem is that the partition map is in the first partition, and it is not executable. The Boot Blocks and driver in the second, and depending on the exact version of the Operating System, possibly also in the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth. The ninth may or may not contain a patch partition. The tenth may be bootable. OSes earlier than Mac OS X may use fewer partitions for drivers and driver components. Earlier than 8.0 use many fewer.

If you want to start up from a Mac-bootable CD, hold down the C key at startup, and keep holding it until the distinctive desktop pattern (often flying CDs) appears.

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Answer 2

alek.sys Author

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Aug 16, 2008 7:01 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

I would be glad to know about these "convenient methods", but unfortunately I don't know about them.
I've tried the 'C key', but it doesn't work. Anyway, I don't need it on this Mac machine (PB3400c), because when I have a MacOS bootable CD inserted (as MacOS 9.0) the computer is try to boot (successfully) from the CD automaticly. But in my case I need to startup a *nix system (FreeBSD).

I've tried as you suggest to make the DIR command on my HDD, with the different partitions, as hd:0:x, hd:1:x...hd:10, probably I make it wrong..., but I hear the HDD spining and then as before this message: "bad partition number, etc."

Probably, as you mentioned before that few can help me here with this question, but I don't know where to go, I didn't find Open Firmware support or something like that. So I ask my question here because this forum is more close to the subject than any other forum, I thought that there is a problem with my hardware, because I find other places that describe this OF boot method, and everything is work to them! ( http://people.freebsd.org/~grehan/install.html)

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Answer 3

Aug 16, 2008 9:59 AM in response to alek.sys

"few can help me here with this question, but I don't know where to go, I didn't find Open Firmware support or something like that"

try this area, especially the Unix forum:

Category : Mac OS X Technologies (including Unix and developer forums)

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