Invalid memory access error (ppc64 install)
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I am new to GNU/Linux. I have been trying to install trisquel for ppc64 on my iMac G5. I'm able to boot the iso from USB via openfirmware and I get the grub install menu but after selecting "default install", the screen says "Loading..." for a couple of minutes and then I get an error that says "Invalid memory access at %SRR0: ...". And it sends me back to the ofw command line. I have tried multiple images from here (https://builds.trisquel.org/debian-installer-images/) and from here (https://cdimage.trisquel.info/) and they have all given me the same result. I finally gave up and was able to install debian 13 without any problems. I would really like to get trisquel working though. I appreciate any help you can give me. Thanks in advance.
I am a translator!
Welcome here!
For Debian 13, which computer architecture option did you use? powerpc? ppc64el?
Like Debian, Trisquel ppc64el (Power in little endian mode only) requires, at minimum, a POWER8 processor machine. [1]
Debian ppc64 is big endian only. [2]
Useful info:
- Clearing confusion regarding modern Power endianness [3]
- Little endian and GNU/Linux on IBM Power Systems [4]
[1] https://wiki.debian.org/ppc64el
[2] https://wiki.debian.org/PPC64
[3] https://catfox.life/2018/11/03/clearing-confusion-regarding-modern-powerpc-endianness/
[4] https://developer.ibm.com/articles/l-power-little-endian-faq-trs/
Thank you for the replies. The debian iso that I installed just says "ppc64" and I downloaded it from this page: https://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/ports/snapshots/2025-12-06/
The iMac G5 has a PowerPC970 processor which is a POWER4 derivative. According to ref. [3], "Fact: All POWER Architecture processors since POWER3 support both big and little endian modes."...so the ppc970 CPU in the iMac should support both big and little endian modes? But it also says, "Most POWER hardware, and most PowerPC computers, historically had firmware that only supported big endian mode. Reports are that POWER4 and POWER5 chips do not support setting the MSR because no firmware supports this mode, but I have no citation to confirm nor deny this." So perhaps it is correct that the issue is with the firmware.
At any rate, since debian is working, I guess I'll just stick with that. Thanks again for the replies!