[SeaBIOS] Chromebook doesn't boot BSD

Ronny Schneider johnnywhishbone at gmail.com
Sun Feb 14 20:30:47 CET 2016


> Am 14.02.2016 um 19:29 schrieb Kevin O'Connor <kevin at koconnor.net>:
> 
> On Sun, Feb 14, 2016 at 06:04:16PM +0100, Ronny Schneider wrote:
>> Hello there,
>> 
>> i have a Toshiba Chromebook 2 (CB30-B-104) with a flashed on SeaBIOS by the script from John Lewis: https://johnlewis.ie/custom-chromebook-firmware/rom-download/
>> 
>> Linux is running very well but i want to see OpenBSD 5.8 on this laptop. But it’s not working, neither do FreeBSD 10.2, NetBSD 7.0 or DragonFly 4.2. The boot stops at the point where the kernel wants to mount the root-filesystem. I even copied an installed OpenBSD-System from an usb-stick onto the emmc-flash of the chromebook but it’s not working.
>> 
>> I googled arround and found out the problem is not unknown among the Chromebook Pixel. So i thought i could help a little by providing my cbmem-bootlog for my machine: http://pastebin.com/asLqar5q
>> If i can do more to see OpenBSD booting on this laptop, please let me know :-)
> 
> When you say "it's not working" - what happens - does the machine hang or does it attempt to reboot?
> If it hangs, are you sure the machine is really stuck instead of just the display not working?

The Display is working all the time. Using NetBSD, it also applies the native resolution of the panel.

> If it hangs, can you provide all the information on the screen prior to the hang. 

I used the amd64 install-images on an 64GB USB3-Stick for the following pictures. If you want me to copy the installer-images onto the mmc of the chromebook, tell me please.

With FreeBSD 11 it freezes. The machine hangs at the moment the kernel tries to mount the root-filesystem and does not respond to any keypress anymore. I have to shutdown the chromebook by keep pressing on the powerbutton for a few seconds.
Image: http://bilderhochladen.org/i/SFrHFStWws/

With OpenBSD 5.8 it „stalls“. The Cursor is blinking but nothing more happens. Although the chromebook shuts down when the powerbutton is pressed.
Image: http://bilderhochladen.org/i/4jFRYDYO11/

With NetBSD 7.0 it „stalls“ too. The Cursor is not blinking but i can enter a „root device“. If nothing is entered it gives me the choice of either „ddb“, „halt“ or „reboot“. „Halt" and „Reboot" are working properly, the machine shuts down or reboots correctly.
Image 1: http://bilderhochladen.org/i/zgq1usG2Ri/
Image 2: http://bilderhochladen.org/i/EqVSDbn25x/

With Dragonfly 4.2 the kernel stops at the moment it tries to mount the root-filesystem and asks me to enter the device. The machine has to be shut down via holding the powerbutton for a few seconds.
Image 1: http://bilderhochladen.org/i/TRIdjee9VP/
Image 2: http://bilderhochladen.org/i/khPrwt4P0C/


> How did you generate the cbmem-log - was it from a successful Linux boot, or during the attempted bsd boot?

The cbmem-log is from a successful Arch Linux boot.


Greetings,
— Ronny




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