Drake 8.0 - install probs w/ata 100 pci controller

[Butros]

I have read the few attempts at fixes out there, but 1 they do not work on my system and 2 I still am not 100% sure it is the ata 100 controller causing problem.

when booting cd to install, I get to the copying program to memory stage then it errors uot with a stage1: directory not found.

(I have tried the expert ide2=0xfoo+2 0xbar+2 method explained at various places.)
brief explain, in windows take the first four i/o addresses of ata 100 controller add 2 to the 2nd and 4th value enter it on the install line as stated above.
- this does not work -

I am able to attach hdd to ata33 and install that way, but that defeats the purpose.

system:
2 cd drives (masters on pri & sec ata33 onboard controller)
2 hdds (both masters on pri & sec ata 100 Maxtor (promise) pci controller)
Intel pIII 500
133mhz 256 mb ram

[bdg1983]

The following was posted by one of our members as a solution to the Mandrake 8/ATA100 problem.

1-boot up with the first Install CD and press F1 to get additional options. From here, enter the rescue system.

2-once it has booted into memory you can mount the drive as follows:
mount /dev/hde# /mnt/disk

3-go into the /mnt/disk/etc directory and edit fstab. Change all the references of /dev/hde# to /dev/hda#. Save and exit.

4-edit lilo.conf(this is what I use) and only change the root=/dev/hde# to root=/dev/hda# for each linux entry. Leave the boot disk and if you have a windows entry as they are.

5-change to the /mnt/disk directory and issue a chroot /mnt/disk.

6-run lilo and it will update the MBR or wherever you are putting it.

7-umount /mnt/disk and reboot the system.

[edit]
8-edit /etc/lilo.conf and change all instances of /dev/hde to /dev/hda, even the windows ones now. re-run lilo and you are set.

This should work for all promise cards/controllers and maybe any other ultra 100 cards out there.

There might be a different way but this worked for me and wasn't that difficult to do.

Oh, BTW, if you make any changes to /etc/lilo.conf once you are booted, you might have to change all references of /dev/hde in the file to /dev/hda or else lilo might not be able to install properly. I will have to test this out and will let you know.

Good Luck!
[Edit] I just tested it out and you do have to change all instances of /dev/hde to /dev/hda in /etc/lilo.conf after the first boot or else you will not be able to make any changes in the future. This is step 8. I would also stay away from Mandrake's GUI boot configurator as it may revert things back - not sure but not worth the risk.

[Butros]

Thanks for the reply, there is one problem however. I cannot even enter the rescue stage without getting the error and halting.

Even in rescue I get to the "loading program into memory" then the "error in stage1: dirctory not found." and then it halts.

(this is why I was wondering if it was not the ata100 controller afterall - all these other people are able to get at least that far... I, however, just error out after the loading program to memory.)

It's got me stumped, and I keep losing a nice chunk of sleep to this one... argh!

Thank You again, and any help is greatly appreciated... I could use some sleep :)

[bdg1983]

Which drive on the ATA100 are you installing to? Primary or Secondary Master?

The 'error in stage 1' could be any number of things. Do a search here (http://support.calderasystems.com/caldera) for 'grub' and see if any of the knowledgebase articles pertain to your situation. It would be easier for you to check there first instead of giving you suggestions one by one.

Post back if you find something.