Grub Open Firmware error - release keys

[Casey C]

When selecting default install from the grub menu, I get a loading message,
then an Open Firmware error saying to “release keys to continue!” However,
no keys are being pressed, and the system is unresponsive to typing
anything on the keyboard. I’ve tried multiple keyboards including a wired
Apple keyboard. Has anyone experienced this or does anyone have any idea
what may be the cause?

Image of Open Firmware error:
https://ibb.co/kDZS5RG

[John Paul Adrian Glaubitz]

Hello Casey,

When selecting default install from the grub menu, I get a loading message, then an Open Firmware error saying to “release keys to continue!” However, no keys are being pressed, and the system is unresponsive to typing anything on the keyboard. I’ve tried multiple keyboards including a wired Apple keyboard. Has anyone experienced this or does anyone have any idea what may be the cause?
https://ibb.co/kDZS5RG

It’s not possible to help you without the information which ISO image (specify full download URL) you used on what machine.

Adrian

[Casey C]

Hi Adrian,
I used the 11/11/24 install image:
https://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/ports/snapshots/2024-11-11/debian-12.0.0-powerpc-NETINST-1.iso
On a Power Mac G5 11,2 2.5 quad core (8 GB RAM, GeForce 6600 GPU). I
thought perhaps the issue was related to having a Radeon HD 6750 in the 8x
slot, but I removed it and the error still comes up.
Thanks for your time, and for everything you do for the ports!

On Sun, Jan 12, 2025 at 2:08 AM John Paul Adrian Glaubitz <

Post by John Paul Adrian Glaubitz
Hello Casey,
When selecting default install from the grub menu, I get a loading
message, then an Open Firmware error saying to “release keys to continue!”
However, no keys are being pressed, and the system is unresponsive to
typing anything on the keyboard. I’ve tried multiple keyboards including a
wired Apple keyboard. Has anyone experienced this or does anyone have any
idea what may be the cause?
https://ibb.co/kDZS5RG
It’s not possible to help you without the information which ISO image
(specify full download URL) you used on what machine.
Adrian

[Casey C]

Hello,

Just an update, I saw your (Adrian’s) recommendation to use the 18/06/2023
image, and my system (the 970MP 2.5 GHz quad-core) boots to the installer
without the Open Firmware error. Here is a link to the image I used:
https://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/ports/snapshots/2023-06-18/debian-12.0.0-powerpc-NETINST-1.iso


Install went mostly uneventful (except for no mirror). However, GRUB
installation failed. I opened the installer console (Alt+F4), which showed
grub-install ran successfully, but then “chroot: can’t execute ‘hmount’ :
No such file or directory”.

I tried again, but this time I interrupted the installer at the “Select and
Install Software” step to go to console, chroot /target, and manually
installed hfsutils. Then I went back to the installer and continued on.
This time GRUB installed successfully and the install completed, and the
system booted.

Thank you!

On Sun, Jan 12, 2025 at 2:08 AM John Paul Adrian Glaubitz <

Post by John Paul Adrian Glaubitz
Hello Casey,
When selecting default install from the grub menu, I get a loading
message, then an Open Firmware error saying to “release keys to continue!”
However, no keys are being pressed, and the system is unresponsive to
typing anything on the keyboard. I’ve tried multiple keyboards including a
wired Apple keyboard. Has anyone experienced this or does anyone have any
idea what may be the cause?
https://ibb.co/kDZS5RG
It’s not possible to help you without the information which ISO image
(specify full download URL) you used on what machine.
Adrian

[Ben Collins]

Post by Casey C
When selecting default install from the grub menu, I get a loading
message, then an Open Firmware error saying to “release keys to
continue!” However, no keys are being pressed, and the system is
unresponsive to typing anything on the keyboard. I’ve tried multiple
keyboards including a wired Apple keyboard. Has anyone experienced this
or does anyone have any idea what may be the cause? 
Image of Open Firmware error: 

The actual error is:

Invalid memory access at %SRR0: 00000000.020c37dc %SRR1: 10000000.00083030

This is really shortly after jumping into __start() @ 020x0000.

I agree with John, though. We need to know which CD ISO you're using so
we know which version of grub and kernel is being used. A screenshot of
the grub menu would help, too.