Subject: RE: G3 Upgrade Cache Settings
From: Pete Peters (ppeters@broadcastzone.com)
Date: Thu Oct 05 2000 - 13:26:25 MDT
My guess is that the extension enables the backside cache so that Linux CAN
use it, similar as to what it does for the MacOS. Maybe the same concept as
the video settings in the Monitor & Sound control panel getting passed, eh?
Anyone out there know for sure?
Pete
> ----------
> From: Eric Mader
> Reply To: emader@pacbell.net
> Sent: Tuesday, October 3, 2000 9:50 PM
> To: Pete Peters
> Cc: 'linuxppc-user@lists.linuxppc.org'
> Subject: Re: G3 Upgrade Cache Settings
>
> Hi Pete,
>
> I just booted my machine from the BootX init without the PowerLogix
> Profiler installed but *with* BootX configured to turn the backside
> cache on. Here's the result of "dmesg | grep L2CR"
>
> L2CR overriden (0xa9100000), backside cache is enabled
>
> So it looks like the Newer Tech init does all that's required to set the
> cahce up before BootX transfers control to the kernel.
>
> What's funny about this is that Newer's tech support told me that they
> thought the cache wouldn't be enabled in Linux:
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> No, in LinuxPPC you are not using the backside cache on the card. The
> extension or control panel is required to be running in order for the
> backside cache to be enabled and while you are in Linux neither of the
> two is running. I will pass along your wish for a driver to be
> developed to our software engineer.
>
> Regards,
> Brian Merchant
> Support Technician
>
> Newer Technology, Inc.
> 4848 West Irving St
> Wichita, KS 67209-2621
> 316-943-0222
> 888-656-8324
> www.newertech.com
> www.newerstore.com
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Eric
>
> Pete Peters wrote:
> >
> > The PowerLogix Profiler extension loads prior to BootX. The Profiler was
> > required in order to disable the 9500 built-in motherboard cache and get
> the
> > full backside cache speed from the upgrade card when in the MacOS. The
> > Profiler has a setting on the Other tab that enables working with BootX
> to
> > pass its parameters to the linux kernel (this info is in the PowerLogix
> > Installation Guide, page 27).
> >
> > I haven't tried to boot into Linux with the Profiler disabled.
> >
> > [From Stefan Jeglinski] dmesg is your friend :-) Type that in (or dmesg
> |
> > more to prevent it from scrolling off your screen). If your backside
> cache
> > is enabled, dmesg should report something like this:
> >
> > L2CR overriden (0xb9080000), backside cache is enabled
> >
> > Of course, BootX must be configured to turn backside cache on.
> >
> > Pete
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Eric Mader [mailto:emader@pacbell.net]
> > Sent: Monday, October 02, 2000 1:47 PM
> > To: Pete Peters
> > Cc: 'linuxppc-user@lists.linuxppc.org'
> > Subject: Re: G3 Upgrade Cache Settings
> >
> > Hi Pete,
> >
> > I have the "Enable G3 Cache" option checked in BootX, but I don't have
> > the PowerLogix cache profiler installed. Does BootX somehow call this
> > code before transferning control to Linux? Do you know how to set it up
> > to work correctly if I'm booting directly into Linux via the /boot
> > partition?
> >
> > What should I look for in dmesg to check if the cache setting hold in
> > Linux?
> >
> > Also, can somebody point me at the documentation about how BootX and the
> > direct boot process work on PPC? I've read the LinuxPPC User's Guide and
> > the READEME that comes with BootX, but that doesn't seem to cover the
> > details of what actually happens...
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Eric Mader
> >
> > Pete Peters wrote:
> > >
> > > I have a PowerLogix G3 upgrade card in my 9500, and I use the
> PowerLogix
> > > G3/G4 Profiler control panel to disable the built-in motherboard cache
> and
> > > enable the backside cache. I have the Enable G3 cache option checked
> in
> > > BootX.
> > >
> > > dmesg indicates that these settings hold in Linux.
> > >
> > > Pete
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > >
> > > Date: Thu, 28 Sep 2000 19:17:25 -0700
> > > From: Eric Mader <emader@pacbell.net>
> > > Subject: NewerTech G3 Upgrade Cache Settings
> > >
> > > [snip]
> > >
> > > I have a NewerTech G3 400/200 upgrade card in an 8500/120. When I boot
> > > the Mac OS, it puts up a G3 banner before BootX starts. If I then boot
> > > Linux, will my cache settings be correct? If I boot directly into
> Linux,
> > > will my cache settings still be correct, or only if the NewerTech init
> > > has run? (or never?)
> > >
> > > [/snip]
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > > Eric Mader
> > >
> >
> > ** Sent via the linuxppc-user mail list. See http://lists.linuxppc.org/
>
>
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