Boot Linux or OpenBSD on the PowerBook G4 (PowerPC/ppc32)

README.md

Boot Linux or OpenBSD on the PowerBook G4 (PowerPC/ppc32)

Creating the USB sticks

Use an older USB 2.0 stick, newer ones will most certainly not work.

sudo dd if=debian-11.0.0-powerpc-NETINST-1.iso of=/dev/sda1 status=progress # Or use GNOME Disks, Etcher etc.
sync

Now, plug into front USB port (use usb1 instead of usb0 below if you've used the back USB). Boot with CMD + OPT + O + F, then one of enter the following (if the device can't be found, dev / ls might be of help):

Debian GNU/Linux

Known good image: https://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/ports/snapshots/2021-04-17/debian-10.0.0-powerpc-NETINST-1.iso

boot usb0/disk@1:,\\grub.elf

MintPPC

Known good live image: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qlfDEjRiZKCD-zPKDKpf2r8qEgv4haM-/view?usp=sharing

boot usb0/disk@1:,\grub.elf

Adélie Linux

Known good live image: https://distfiles.adelielinux.org/adelie/1.0/iso/rc2/adelie-live-kde-ppc-1.0-rc2.iso

boot usb0/disk:,\\:tbxi

Void Linux

Void seem to be fading out PPC support: https://voidlinux-ppc.org/news/2021/11/big-endian.html. I recommend using Adélie Linux or OpenBSD instead for the time being.

Known good live images: https://repo.voidlinux-ppc.org/live/current/void-live-ppc-musl-20210825.iso and https://repo.voidlinux-ppc.org/live/current/void-live-ppc-20210825.iso

boot usb0/disk:,\\:tbxi

OpenBSD

Check out my OpenBSD install script: https://gist.github.com/pojntfx/43de2df2cfa0db699b50e87724e75a4e

Known good image: https://cdn.openbsd.org/pub/OpenBSD/7.0/macppc/install70.iso

setenv boot-device hd:,ofwboot
boot usb0/disk:,ofwboot /7.0/macppc/bsd.rd

To reset Open Firmware, boot while pressing CMD + OPT + P + R.

OpenBSD 7.2:

Working with boot usb0/disk:,ofwboot 7.2/macppc/bsd.rd

Working OpenBSD 7.5:
After install
setenv boot-device hd:,ofwboot
boot hd:, ofwboot /bsd