Re: Problem with FreeBSD (4.9-REL to 5.2.1-REL) on NForce 2

Rob MacGregor wrote:

>I've got a Shuttle SN45G box that has an NForce 2 chipset that I was having
>problems getting working.  Having replaced the faulty memory I'm now left
>with a major problem - FreeBSD won't install.
>
>I can install Windows 2000, Windows XP, Mandrake 9.1 and Mandrake 10 without
>problems - which is a shame, because I don't want to run any of those :)
>However trying to install FreeBSD results in a lockup during the installer.
>
>With 5.2.1-REL it dies at the "Probing devices" message.  When I say "dies",
>I mean it - complete lockup - not even the keyboard LEDs will change state.
>Doesn't matter if I boot with or without ACPI, into safe mode or what.
>4.9-REL has a similar result, except it thrashes the hard disk for 1-2
>seconds before it dies.  I've tried leaving it for 5 minutes, but still no
>dice.
>
>Now, when I get a chance I'll try a working FreeBSD disk in the box, but
>before I do I'd like to know if anybody else out there has it working.  Or,
>if there's anything I can do (keeping in mind that I'm not a programmer) to
>debug this and help get NForce2 support working (at least on this box).
>
>TIA
>
>  
>
I have an nforce2 board and have not done a clean install in with the 
5.x system, though I run current.   You can not use acpi right now so if 
you don't have a boot option screen to run without it boot to the promt 
and set hw.acpi_disable="1"(or something like that).