Those machine are very nice. The only difference with its successor is the CPU which will be an intel for the next "revision". Most of the harware is working, but you still need some tweak to get all working properly.
Overview
Needs
- an iMac G5 iSight
Alternate PPC install CD : http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/ports/releases/
- either a Mac OS X installation or at least, backup /System/Library/Extensions/IOUSBFamily.kext/Contents/PlugIns/AppleUSBVideoSupport.kext/Contents/MacOS/AppleUSBVideoSupport in order to extract the built-in iSight firmware later.
- Some knowledge about how to build a kernel, rebuild a debs, etc.
What works
- display (3D acceleration, extended desktop)
- Wired network
- iSight
- Fans
What does not work
- Airport Extrem ?
- Apple Remote
Details
Installation
Boot with install-powerpc64 video=ofonly
Kernel
You should avoid radeonfb, even if radeonfb works with latest version, it's broken with ati Xorg driver. Kernel mode setting will fix this making radeonfb useless.
Windfarm PM121
In order to get the fan silent, you need the windfarm-pm121 driver. Get latest Linux 2.6.24 source and apply windfarm-pm121.patch available at http://bersace03.free.fr/pub/Linux/iMac%20G5/windfarm-pm121.patch . Ensure you have windfarm-pm121 built. The module should be loaded automatically.
Xorg
You'll need an updated xf86-video-ati driver. Use Tormold Volden PPA src package : https://edge.launchpad.net/~tormodvolden/+archive . Rebuild using debuild. Then, no need to tweak xorg.conf.
Built-in iSight
Built-in iSight shiped within this mac is exactly the same as the one found in next iMacs and MacBooks. Check out latest linux-uvc driver at http://linux-uvc.berlios.de/ . Those device need firmware loading. This is done using isight-firmware-tools. See http://bersace03.free.fr/ift/ . Debs are available at https://edge.launchpad.net/~bersace/+archive , build using debuild.
Apple Remote
The driver hasn't been ported yet. The device seems to send different data.
Airport Extreme
I report bcm43xx listing AP but not attaching. I never get b43 to load properly the firmware. Needs investigation.