SGI IRIX 6.5 Installation from CDs
December 15, 2007

Operating System	Platform	Application(s)	Database(s)	Other
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I. Abstract

IRIX isn't one of the easiest operating systems to install. In fact, it is rather annoying. This guide will attempt to simplify the process by outlining the steps necessary to install the foundation, along with overlays 6.5.29 and other utilities. For this guide I used an Origin 200. Keep in mind that certain hardware requires different methods. Here I focus on the Origin 200. Research your hardware to see what you may need to do different. The links at the end of this guide may help you.

II. Preparation

I am using CDs here - you have other options (network, etc). You should have the following discs:

• IRIX 6.5 Foundation 1 & 2
• 6.5.29 Overlays 1 (Installation Tools), 2 & 3
• Applications and Complimentary Applications (optional) CD(s)
• IRIX 6.5 Development Libraries (optional)
• IRIX 6.5 Development Foundation (optional)
• IRIX ONC3/NFS Version 3 (optional)

III. Boot the Installation Media and Prepare Hard Drive

Start the system with CD 1 from the Overlays 6.5.29 discs (which is bootable) in your CD drive. You should see the System Maintenance Menu first. Choose option 5 - Enter Command Monitor.

Next you need to start the partitioning tool fx to configure your hard drive:

Now, we partition the whole drive!

The system will now restart. After the restart, we will need to clear/format the hard disk (target). At the System Maintenance Menu, select option 2 - Install System Software and choose the CD drive with the Installation Tools disc in it. After the copy is complete and the Inst 4.1 Main Menu appears, select option 13 (to enter the Admin menu). Now select 11 to make a new filesystem. Answer yes to the questions and when it completes, enter 21 to return to the Main Menu.

IV. Install the O/S

Back at the Inst 4.1 Main Menu, select 2 (open [source ...]) to add CDs to the installation process. Time to begin the first fun disc swap process, opening the CDs in the following order:

• Overlays (1 of 3)
• Overlays (2 of 3)
• Overlays (3 of 3)
• Foundation 1
• Foundation 2
• Applications
• Complementary Applications (optional)
• Development Foundation (optional)
• Development Libraries (optional)
• ONC3/NFS (optional)

You can use 6. Keep, 7. Remove and 8. Install to fine tune your installation (specific hardware support, software, drivers, etc). Then select 5 (go) to begin the installation. You may have several conflicts, because SGI was never really careful with the installation design. For example, on my system, I resolved the conflicts by entering the following after trying go:

You can also just remove all conflicting packages by issuing the following:

Be creative, resolve all properly and then proceed. Now it is time to begin the second fun disc swap process. Follow the prompts, and a few months later you should be done. Congratulations - now mirror that hard disk so you won't have to go through this again.

V. Helpful Links

• Future Technology Research: Installing IRIX 6.5 (Oct. 12 2004)
• U. of Virginia: Irix 6.5 Installation Notes