icaros desktop native installation advices, bios and grub parameters

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This applies to versions :
  • icaros 1.5.2
  • icaros 2.0
  • icaros 2.0.1
  • icaros 2.1
  • icaros 2.1.1
  • icaros 2.1.2
  • icaros 2.1.3
There is not point using older versions.

Links to refer to :

http://www.icarosdesktop.com/icarosfiles/IcarosDesktop_manual.pdf

https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Aros/User/AmigaLegacy

This thread is *important* :  Icaros Desktop 2.0 caveats and work-arounds

other docs are listed inside the sections below.

BIOS parameters & hardwares choices :

Icaros should work on most computers in VESA modes, but it is sloooow. Anyway, SATA operations must be modified in BIOS and USB3 won’t work.

You must choose / build a computer in taking care of the hardware compatibilty.

Refer to this page for more informations : https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Aros/Platforms/x86_support

Personnally I have : GMA945 in an old Dell optiplex GX520 Desktop, A DELL Optiplex 755 with an nvidia Quadro380, Soundblaster Audigy II, network RTL8169.

I do not recommend nvidia GeForce 980 “like” gfx cards they are too hot !

You already have your computer ? Niiiiiice !

In BIOS modify the SATA operation to

ATA

or to

Legacy

I have an old 80Gb 5400rpm SATA disk. Don’t forget icaros can’t manage disks that are bigger than 120Gb.

Install choices :

Wipe disk

I do this the first time. It creates a new Partition table. You must have chosen the right size for SYS: and WORK: no choice needed. Personnally, I think 8Gb for SYS is quite enough.

After the reboot, when you launch “install Aros” again :

  • make a full install on SYS only, then change Myworkspace: assigns manually, cause there are sometimes issues on assigns if you choose to “Use Work: partition” but don’t “Format” it.

GRUB parameters :

According to this thread : http://aros-exec.org/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=8937&forum=24

the ata.device and ahci.device (ata and ahci/sata native devices) don’t work properly and certainly will crash for most users.

To get rid of this you must edit “SYS:Arc/pc/grub/grub.cfg” file and replace the line

module /Devs/ata.device

by

module /Devs/alt/ata.device

to load the alternative ata device.

Delete the line

modules /Devs/ahci.device

modify the first line replacing

ATA=32bit

by

ATA=32bit,nodma,notlsf

save and reboot. All should be fine now.

Other Parameters, tips&tricks :

   

Author: jess

for a long time amiga, aros & demos lover and musician (linux musician, drummer, modules in protracker and octamed, recording and mastering in ardour)