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indigoimac · Mar 7, 2006, 08:18 PM

Has anyone tried an x86 livecd version of linux on the new intel macs? Such examples include knoppix, PCLinuxOS, Ubuntu. I imagine that it should work, your thoughts.

ghporter · Mar 7, 2006, 08:27 PM

Knoppix for one depends on a PC boot mechanism. Since the Intel Macs use a different startup system, I don't think these will work. It would be on a par with booting Windows on such machines-they depend on the same boot load system.

indigoimac · Mar 7, 2006, 08:35 PM

Crap, I forgot about the lack of a bios, but in theory if the CD could support EFI then I guess it would work.

Tuoder · Mar 8, 2006, 03:48 AM

This is a little offtopic, but is there a linux live CD for PPC macs?

JKT · Mar 8, 2006, 06:23 AM

Someone has had knoppix running on an intel iMac (apparently they even ran Windows XP on it using VMware).

jmgriff · Mar 8, 2006, 07:33 AM

Originally Posted by Tuoder

This is a little offtopic, but is there a linux live CD for PPC macs?

Ubuntu do one, I tried it a while ago.

TheoCryst · Mar 8, 2006, 03:19 PM

Originally Posted by jmgriff

Ubuntu do one, I tried it a while ago.

I really like the Ubuntu Live CD. You can get it on their website, FTP or Torrent.

ghporter · Mar 8, 2006, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by JKT

Someone has had knoppix running on an intel iMac (apparently they even ran Windows XP on it using VMware).

I can see that working, but it would still be virtualized and not running native on the Mac, which would negate some of Knoppix's advantages. Because Knoppix can run straight from the CD, you can manipulate (and repair) a Windows installation using GUI tools, including manipulating the boot volume and (with the right tools) just about everything about the Windows configuration. This sort of capability would be great on any platform-in the right hands, of course-but the lack of compatibility in the boot mechanism means it just won't work.

kristians · Mar 9, 2006, 05:38 AM

Realy it can be done with instaled lnx, first install lnx on pc, then put hdd into ppc mac, then boot linux for ppc, put bootloader, then put hdd to mactel!!! And, maybe it can be done with win???

robisconfusedd · Mar 27, 2006, 04:29 PM

Originally Posted by TheoCryst

I really like the Ubuntu Live CD. You can get it on their website, FTP or Torrent.

i downloaded ubuntu off of their website, the LIVE CD version of it for PPC,

and i burnt it all onto a cd.. and i restart my mac and hold C down to make sure it boots to the cd but nothing ever happens, and it just boots into mac osx..

am i doing something wrong??! i'd really like to try this on my mac i really wish i could get it to work!

thanks for any help,
rob

TomR · Mar 29, 2006, 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by TheoCryst

I really like the Ubuntu Live CD. You can get it on their website, FTP or Torrent.

I love Ubuntu as well but can't get 5.10 to work on my G3 Icebook. Haven't tried it yet on this Mac G4 mini...

Tom