Digital XL-Turbo (XL-300,XL-366,XL-433) Tips

This is about the XLT (XL-Turbo) type of machines. They are also sometimes refered to by the name of their chipset, "Alcor". This includes the XL-300, the XL-366, and the XL-433.

Note: These are not compatible with "plain" XL type, the XL-233 and XL-266 machines!

Linux Installation Instructions

The XLT only comes with AlphaBIOS as firmware, so you need the Linux Miniloader (MILO) to boot Linux. Aboot does not work.

Basically you need to follow the instructions in the MILO-Howto, as well as the instructions included with the distribution you want to install.

Instead of reiterating the whole process, I will only give some special hints specific to the XLT type of machine.

Linload

You might need a special version of LINLOAD, the program which is needed to load MILO. You'll get the program as well as details here.

MILO

You need to select a MILO specific for your machine. Like stated before, you got to look for one that is suited for the "xlt" or "alcor" type. Don't use one for the plain "xl" type! You should find an suitable MILO here

Kernel

Again, you need find the correct kernel. Unfortunately, the one on the RH-5.1 disk doesn't work. I used the alcor-2030.gz kernel from Digital's site instead.

Good Luck!

Martin Ostermann <ost@comnets.rwth-aachen.de>

Last modified: Wed Sep 23 15:30:33 1998