The underlying CPU architecture of Loongson 3a5000 and later has been changed from mips64el to loongarch64
So here are two types for explanation, corresponding to those before 3a4000 and after 3a5000
The difficulty of Loongson’s system installation lies in the selection and booting of the operating system
1. Burning tools
It is not possible to use conventional burning tools to create an installation disk. It will prompt that there is no \boot\initrd.img file. Finally found a good tool.
This tool provided by deepin official can be used for burning (not only deepin can be burned, but also other things can be burned)
deepin burning tool official website
2. System image
The installation mainly considers domestic Linux or other Linux or BSD
(1) Domestic Linux series
1. UOS
The Loongson version of UOS only has the professional version, which can be tried for 90 days.
The installation of Tongxin UOS is very easy, and there are well-adapted versions.
mips64el architecture: 3a4000 and earlier CPUs,
loongarch64 architecture: 3a5000 and later CPUs
2.Loongnix
Loongnix official download address
mips64el (3a4000 and before): The last version is Loongnix20 rc2
loongarch64 (3a5000 and after): The current Loongnix20.x is supported
3.deepin (not available yet)
According to UOS customer service staff, deepin is an open source version of UOS, but for the Loongson version, no one has yet transplanted it.
4.Galaxy Kirin
Although you need to fill in the information to register, it is still very easy. After the registration is completed, you can try it out
Galaxy Kirin official link
5. Red flag linux
The official version supports Loongson, but I couldn’t find one to download it, so I guess I have to pay for it.
(2) Non-domestic Linux series
Installing the mips64el version of non-domestic Linux is relatively complicated and has major startup problems. It has not been successfully installed for the time being, although it is theoretically possible.
1.debian
mips64el (3a4000 and before): Select mips64el. The latest debian12 also has a mips64el version.
loongarch64 (3a5000 and later): The version of loongarch64 is still in the testing stage and should be available in debian12 in a while.
2.Fedora28
This is not recommended, it has not been updated for a long time.
3. Burning and Installation
(1) Burning
1.Select
2. Select the USB flash drive and create it
(2) Installation
Use tools to program step by step.
When Loongson is turned on, select the boot list and select the USB flash drive. Then you can install it according to the situation, it is very simple.