Andrew's IRIX 6.5 Install Guide

Required:

• Full set of SGI IRIX Install CD Media
• SGI O2 Computer

I am writing this tutorial based upon my experience of installing IRIX 6.5 on my SGI O2 Computer. I would be interested in hearing from you if you have any tips, suggestions, or comments from your own experiences in installing IRIX.

Step 1. Start up your SGI computer.

Click the "Stop for Maintenance" button to bring up the system maintenance screen.

Step 2. Select the Command Monitor
Select the "Enter Command Monitor" button.

Step 3. Command Monitor
Type "help" to view the available commands.

Run "hinv" to see an inventory of the hardware in your SGI computer system. On my computer the hard disk comes up as SCSI device ID 2 and the CDROM comes up as SCSI device ID 4. The SCSI ID of the CDROM drive is required in the next step.

Step 4. Boot the system off the install media using sash.
Put the "IRIX installation tools" disc in your CDROM drive.

Type "boot -f dksc(0,4,8)sashARCS dksc(0,4,7)stand/fx.ARCS --x" to start up your O2 system using Sash.

Read the http://www.futuretech.blinkenlights.nl/6.5inst.html article if you need the sash command for a system other than an SGI O2.

If your CDROM drive has a different SCSI device ID than 4 type that number where the number 4 is on the two dksc() commands.

Press the "C" key to continue with no state fixup.

Step 4. Repartitioning your hard disk.
SGI Version 6.5 ARCS BE Apr 30, 1998
fx:"device-name" = (dksc)
Press enter when prompted for the "device-name".

fx:ctlr# = (0)
Press enter when prompted for the ctlr. (Assuming your hard disk is on SCSI controller 0.)

fx: drive# = (4) 2
Assuming your hard disk SCSI ID is 2, type 2 for the drive number. If the SCSI ID your for Hard disk is different than 2, type in the SCSI ID that was listed by hinv.

...opening dksc(0,2,0)
...drive selftest...OK
Scsi drive type = ModusLnkMx03036SC800600UM108

A short self-test will be done on the hard disk.

----- please choose one (? for help, .. to quit this menu) -----
[exi]t [d]ebug/ [l]abel/ [a]uto
[b]adblock/ [exe]ercise/ [r]epartition/
fx>

Type "r" for the repartition menu option.

In the next menu type "ro".

Then select exit by typing "exi".

Repartitioning the drive prepares the hard drive but does not make a file system. You will need to run MKFS next to make the IRIX file system. This confused me a lot during the first time I tried installing IRIX!

Step 5. Making a file system

Go to system maintenance - choose install system

Choose (r) to reinstall miniroot

progress messages - copying installation tools to root

mounting file systems:
/dev/dsk/dks0d2s0 : invalid argument
Unable to mount partition: /dev/dsk/dks0d2s0 on /root.
This is your system disk: without it we have nothing
on which to install software.

Please manually correct your configuration and try again.

press Enter to invoke C Shell csh:

Type in "hinv".

Disk Drive: unit 2 on SCSI Controller -1
CDROM: unit 4 on SCSI Controller -1

We have to manually run MKFS to make the File System before we can install IRIX.

type in "mkfs /dev/dsk/dks0d2s0" . (this formats the drive) If your hard disk is mounted at a different location change the disk name part to what was written under to the line: "mounting file systems:".

Then type in "exit". (to continue mini root installation)

Step 6. Inst 3.3 Main Menu

In the Inst Main Menu we want the carry out the first item.
1. from [source ...] Specify location of software to be installed

Inst> from /CDROM/dist
Type in: "from /CDROM/dist"

space through help screens

Type in option 1:
run script

Check for files that might prevent a successful installation?
For [yes] press enter.

Distribution script completed press enter to continue.

In the next step, insert all of the IRIX installation discs you want to install one at a time for the installer to scan each disk and make up a list of dependencies. When this is done, you will be returned to the Inst menu.

If you have more IRIX CDs beyond the base set you want to install it is probably easier to add them after IRIX has finished installing using the IRIX Software Manager from the desktop.

Inst> keep *
Type in "keep *".

Inst> install standard
Type in "install standard".

Inst> install prereqs
Type in "install prereqs".

No matches for "prereqs" were found.

Inst> go
Type in "go".

This will start the IRIX installation. The installer will ask for the CDs as they are required.

pre-installation check ...
Checking space requirements ..
Installing/removing files
Please insert the "IRIX 6.5 FOUNDATION-1" CD.
Type control-C to interrupt.

You will then see lots of copying progress messages.

please insert the "IRIX 6.5 APPLICATIONS JUNE 1998" CD.

please insert the "IRIX 6.5 DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION 1.1" CD

please insert the "IRIX 6.5 DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION 2" CD

please insert the "IRIX 6.5 INSTALLATION TOOLS JUNE 1998" CD

Running exit-commands .. 99%
Checking dependencies .. 100% Done.
Installations and removals were successful.
You may continue with installations or quit now.

To install from another CD, change the CD in the drive and enter command "from".

INST> quit
Type in "quit" to exit.
Requickstarting ELF files (see rqsall(1)) ..100% Done.

Ready to restart the System. Restart? { (y)es, (n)o, )sh)ell, (h)elp}:
Type in "y" to restart your O2.

Step 7. Create a user account.

Your SGI computer will restart after the installation is complete.

A message "The system in coming up." will appear.

Then the message "IRIS's Internet address is the default. Using standalone network mode."

The IRIX start-up messages will scroll by:
IRIX Release 6.5
Copyright 1987-1998 Silicon Graphics, INc.
All Rights Reserved.
The system is coming up.
IRIS's Internet address is the default.
Using standalone network mode.
Warning: Interet Gateway web server running as root.
Use "chkconfig webface off" if you wish to disable.

The Login window will appear.

Select EZsetup.

Click "Log In".

The Welcome to System Setup screens will appear. There are 4 steps to complete. This will allow you to create a user account, define your password and setup various system options.

Step 8. Getting to know IRIX.

After you complete the system setup screens you will arrive at the IRIX Desktop. Spend some time getting used to the IRIX Toolchest. Change your desktop pattern, and choose a screensaver. I like the "electropaint" screensaver.

Don't forget to go to Nekochan and download some freeware programs to add even more features to your system!

I recommend using the SGI freeware program BASH as your console program. It has an auto-complete feature that makes life better.

Also, I wrote another tutorial here on how you can update your copy of IRIX 6.5 to 6.5.22 using the free downloadable IRIX Overlay from support.sgi.com. This overlay is required if you want to use a lot of the software from the Nekochan SGI Freeware archive.

Cheers,
Andrew Hazelden

5 Responses to “Installing IRIX 6.5 on an SGI O2.”

1. Tobie says:

   August 26, 2010 at 8:18 am

   Fantastic.. I am about to install IRIX 6.5 on my O2. I think you replied to one of my questions on YouTube. sgtunix - that's me! I am thinking of putting an SSD in my O2. Sounds interesting?
2. Andrew says:

   August 26, 2010 at 10:10 am

   I think you will have a lot of fun with your O2! I have really enjoyed playing with the OpenGL graphics demos. After you install a fresh copy of IRIX 6.5 on your system, don't forget to install an IRIX 6.5 Overlay upgrade. Then head over to the SGI / Nekochan freeware archives and load up on cool software.

   Andrew
3. Kaushik Patel says:

   September 1, 2010 at 4:19 am

   Sir,
   I have a SGI server and previously install IRIX. But fortunately the server re-start on each boot automatically. Now i want to re-install IRIX on SGI machine without re-partition and without lost any data and partition.

   How can i do.. Pl. urgent. today...

   Thanks, KRP
4. Andrew says:

   September 1, 2010 at 10:38 am

   Kaushik,

   I don't have experience reinstalling IRIX without repartitioning but I am sure the guys over at the nekochan forum could help you. http://forums.nekochan.net/

   Another option that would be simpler would be to do a fresh install of IRIX on another hard disk and then copy over all of the old user data.

   Regards,

   Andrew
5. Alexandre, o Tabajara says:

   November 10, 2010 at 5:57 pm

   Dear Andrew,
   Just got THE child's dream - an Octane! ;oD I'm as happy as you can imagine, but still haven't got the IRIX images. Can I do a fresh install with the 3 disks for upgrading avaiable from http://www.sgi.com? Thanks!