[CGFX.us]

Code:

Helicoprion 1# hinv
CPU: MIPS R5000 Processor Chip Revision: 2.1
FPU: MIPS R5000 Floating Point Coprocessor Revision: 1.0
1 180 MHZ IP22 Processor
Main memory size: 256 Mbytes
Secondary unified instruction/data cache size: 512 Kbytes on Processor 0
Instruction cache size: 32 Kbytes
Data cache size: 32 Kbytes
Integral SCSI controller 0: Version WD33C93B, revision D
  Disk drive: unit 1 on SCSI controller 0
On-board serial ports: 2
On-board bi-directional parallel port
Graphics board: Indy 24-bit
Integral Ethernet: ec0, version 1
Integral ISDN: Basic Rate Interface unit 0, revision 1.0
Iris Audio Processor: version A2 revision 4.1.0
Vino video: unit 0, revision 0, IndyCam connected

Helicoprion is currently running Irix 6.5.9f 6.5.22f—I've yet to determine if its going to be worthwhile taking it to 6.5.22.

It's been a good machine.  (First acquired it back in 1999.)

[Raion]

6.5.9 is just older than 6.5.22 -- if your code runs on anything like a BSD or Solaris box, it'll run on 6.5.22

there's no benefit to older than .22 tbh for 6.5

[CGFX.us]

Thank you! Do I need to boot into .22 in order to install it or can I just ftp over a directory of the 6.5.22 files and use swmgr?

(Sorry for what seems to be an obvious question, but it's been a long time since doing any of this stuff...)

[vishnu]

It's complicated:

https://cdn.preterhuman.net/texts/comput...97-022.pdf

[CGFX.us]

Oh, I see what you mean:

If you plan to install using the miniroot, then you may do so by the usual method. However, if you plan to upgrade by live install and are running IRIX 6.5.19 or earlier, you must first install patch 5086.

So I either need to acquire patch 5086 or figure out how to make efs CDRs from gzipped tar files.

Unless I can boot from the miniroot via a Jaz disk or something...

[vishnu]

It has long been argued that IRIX was deliberately engineered to generate revenue for SGI's field service operation. Basically by making it too complicated for average users to maintain and update their systems. I forget what it was called, gold or platinum or something like that, but if you bought that level of contract from SGI they guaranteed to have field service engineer(s) at your location, anywhere in the world, in less than 24 hours.

[Raion]

Oh, I see what you mean:

If you plan to install using the miniroot, then you may do so by the usual method. However, if you plan to upgrade by live install and are running IRIX 6.5.19 or earlier, you must first install patch 5086.

So I either need to acquire patch 5086 or figure out how to make efs CDRs from gzipped tar files.

Unless I can boot from the miniroot via a Jaz disk or something...

There is patch 5086 on the ftp, I think, and some later versions of IRIX included it.

I have explained a few times in detail why we don't use EFS images. They're a lot harder to make use of, and installing IRIX from CD is pretty slow, tedious, error prone

[CGFX.us]

I've been mostly lucky, then. I've seldom experienced issues from CD installs, though it is pretty tedious and time consuming for sure.

I've not been able to find the patch yet; the search continues.

[Raion]

I think patch 5086 is in one of the overlays of 6.5.22

[CGFX.us]

I think patch 5086 is in one of the overlays of 6.5.22

Alas, this does not appear to be the case.

At least, I can't seem to find it. Doing a find in swmgr for "5086" (sans quotes) returns 0 matches found.