Information about the Linux/PPC kernel images
=====================================================================
Please mail me (Cort Dougan, cort@fsmlabs.com) if you have questions,
comments or corrections.
This document is meant to answer several questions I've had about how
the PReP system boots and how Linux/PPC interacts with that mechanism.
It would be nice if we could have information on how other architectures
boot here as well. If you have anything to contribute, please
let me know.
1. PReP boot file
This is the file necessary to boot PReP systems from floppy or
hard drive. The firmware reads the PReP partition table entry
and will load the image accordingly.
To boot the zImage, copy it onto a floppy with dd if=zImage of=/dev/fd0h1440
or onto a PReP hard drive partition with dd if=zImage of=/dev/sda4
assuming you've created a PReP partition (type 0x41) with fdisk on
/dev/sda4.
The layout of the image format is:
0x0 +------------+
| | PReP partition table entry
| |
0x400 +------------+
| | Bootstrap program code + data
| |
| |
+------------+
| | compressed kernel, elf header removed
+------------+
| | initrd (if loaded)
+------------+
| | Elf section table for bootstrap program
+------------+
2. MBX boot file
The MBX boards can load an elf image, and relocate it to the
proper location in memory - it copies the image to the location it was
linked at.
Download Driver Pack
After your driver has been downloaded, follow these simple steps to install it.
Expand the archive file (if the download file is in zip or rar format).
If the expanded file has an .exe extension, double click it and follow the installation instructions.
Otherwise, open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start menu and selecting Device Manager.
Find the device and model you want to update in the device list.
Double-click on it to open the Properties dialog box.
From the Properties dialog box, select the Driver tab.
Click the Update Driver button, then follow the instructions.
Very important: You must reboot your system to ensure that any driver updates have taken effect.
For more help, visit our Driver Support section for step-by-step videos on how to install drivers for every file type.