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jamessp007
10-03-2003, 09:47 PM
i have installed debian to harddrive via knoppix. lilo failed to install to mbr. however i made a boot disk and can start via the floppy. my lilo.conf is as follows:
boot=/dev/hda
vga=791
prompt
timeout=50
append = "hda=scsi hdb=scsi hdc=scsi hdd=scsi hde=scsi hdf=scsi hdg=scsi hdh=scsi apm=power-off nomce"
image=/boot/vmlinuz-2.4.21-xfs
label=knoppix
root=/dev/hdc5
read-only
initrd=/boot/initrd.gz
## A Windows installation, example for partition 1 on first IDE harddisk
other=/dev/hda1
label=windows98
optional
table=/dev/hda
when i run /sbin/lilo is get error:
Fatal: geo_query_dev HDIO_GETGEO (dev 0x0300): Invalid argument
any help much appreciated.
0x12d3
10-03-2003, 10:28 PM
what do you get when you login as root and run: lilo ??
JohnT
10-03-2003, 11:01 PM
Look to the command "man lilo" for hints. First issue the command to uninstall lilo and then the command to install to mbr or altenately the terminal for your installation by the command "liloconfig". Your "boot =/dev/hdx" should be the partition you want to boot, not a drive.
mdwatts
10-04-2003, 08:21 AM
Originally posted by JohnT
Your "boot =/dev/hdx" should be the partition you want to boot, not a drive.
Actually 'boot=/dev/hda' would be correct if you are installing the bootloader to the mbr.
Then 'root=/dev/hdc5' directs the bootloader to find the kernel image and supporting files in /dev/hdc5.
Satanic Atheist
10-04-2003, 03:01 PM
I've just installed Slackware 9.1 and I can't do that either. I had to manually delete my partitions, reimplement them (why, I have no idea) and then force LiLo onto the Superblock.
Apparently, running LiLo on the MBR is not recommended anymore. But I have no idea why since it always worked for me in the past.
If you are like me and cannot afford to destroy your hard drive due to data restrictions, then stick LiLo on the Superblock. Otherwise, flatten it with a utility called clrdrive (Or cleardrv) for DOS and totally obliterate sector 0.
Repartition, reformat and reinstall.
Then have fun,
James
JohnT
10-04-2003, 03:01 PM
Your correct Mike....I am stuck on dual boot to the super-block. The fail-safe approach.:p
mdwatts
10-04-2003, 03:58 PM
Originally posted by JohnT
Your correct Mike....I am stuck on dual boot to the super-block. The fail-safe approach.:p
I never... ever install a bootload in the mbr. Always a separate /boot partition with the bootloader from my rescue distro and then the other distros bootloaders are installed into their own root partition.
Keeping well JT?
michaelk
10-04-2003, 04:19 PM
From a quick search HDIO_GETGEO is a SCSI error that lilo can't get the disk geometry. Which makes sense since your configuring your IDE drives for SCSI emulation. Since lilo can figure out the floppy drive it doesn't have any problems writing to the floppy disk.
Look at this webpage:
http://www.tux.org/pub/distributions/tinylinux/smalllinux/README.lilo
If the above suggestion doesn't work than the question would be, do you need scsi emulation for your IDE drives. If not remove the append line and try writing. But... you will need to change floppy boot disk run lilo and reboot the comuputer for the changes to take affect. Someone correct me if I am wrong.
I haven't tried debian yet. Is this normal to enable SCSI emulation for IDE drives?
JohnT
10-04-2003, 05:00 PM
Originally posted by mdwatts
I never... ever install a bootload in the mbr. Always a separate /boot partition with the bootloader from my rescue distro and then the other distros bootloaders are installed into their own root partition.
Keeping well JT?
Yowza.....I'm wit ya on that one. Nebber ebber do that.
I was reared the hard way.:p
Right as rain:D Same to ya!
Originally posted by michaelk
Is this normal to enable SCSI emulation for IDE drives? No, it isn't. I'll bet you're right about that- the emulation on hda is probably confusing lilo geometry-wise.