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X-Ray
11-19-2002, 03:49 AM
Linux installation will not start, it hangs while detecting partitions on hda. I want to install thiz linux on an old laptop, P166MMX. The problem is that the bios can't recognise hdd's larger than 512MB. I had a similar problem with installing win98se, in that scenario i had to install a program, provided by ibm. This program
can detect the "large" hdd, in the bios the settings for harddisk is
set to 1024-16-64, 512Mb.
Does anyone no a similar program for linux? Or does anyone know
how to solve this problem?
Thx for the support!
Saptech
11-19-2002, 05:19 AM
Give this Large Disk (http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/Large-Disk-HOWTO-5.html) HOWTO a good reading over.
mrBen
11-19-2002, 06:22 AM
The program that IBM uses is Ontracks Disk Manager, and they include a Linux disk img that you can dd onto a floppy to use. The program uses a thing called the Dynamic Drive Overlay, which sits in the Master Boot Record, and so is OS independent.
However, the Linux kernel will normally probe the IDE controller itself, and ignore the BIOS, and so as long as the BIOS is allowing you to boot from the drive, you would not normally need to install this.
Which distribution are you trying to install? Plus, does your BIOS include an 'Auto' setting for harddrive detection?
X-Ray
11-19-2002, 12:18 PM
Originally posted by mrBen
The program that IBM uses is Ontracks Disk Manager, and they include a Linux disk img that you can dd onto a floppy to use. The program uses a thing called the Dynamic Drive Overlay, which sits in the Master Boot Record, and so is OS independent.
However, the Linux kernel will normally probe the IDE controller itself, and ignore the BIOS, and so as long as the BIOS is allowing you to boot from the drive, you would not normally need to install this.
Which distribution are you trying to install? Plus, does your BIOS include an 'Auto' setting for harddrive detection?
The distribution i am trying to install is Thiz Linux Desktop 6.0, and yes it supports an 'auto' setting. I have already set it to 'auto' but the problem was not solved by this setting :(
Thx
Is there a BIOS upgrade available? If so, flashing the BIOS might enable it to recognize larger drives.
X-Ray
11-20-2002, 03:28 AM
Originally posted by DMR
Is there a BIOS upgrade available? If so, flashing the BIOS might enable it to recognize larger drives.
No there are no new bios versions available, i flashed the "newest".... :(
mrBen
11-20-2002, 04:59 AM
If you want, you can still use the Disk Manager software - download from http://www.storage.ibm.com/hdd/support/download.htm#diskmgr2k
It's probably best if you use it to partition and install, but if you just want the DDO software you can boot from the disk, and then select Advanced Options -> Upgrade Disk Manager and it will install the DDO on the mbr of your primary master.
When you go to install Thiz it is very important that you first boot from the harddrive to all the DDO software to run - it should give you a blue splash screen and then prompt you to insert a system disk. Then you can pop in the ThizLinux boot disk (you'll need to use a floppy - CD won't work) and install from there.
HTH
X-Ray
11-20-2002, 08:37 AM
Originally posted by mrBen
If you want, you can still use the Disk Manager software - download from http://www.storage.ibm.com/hdd/support/download.htm#diskmgr2k
It's probably best if you use it to partition and install, but if you just want the DDO software you can boot from the disk, and then select Advanced Options -> Upgrade Disk Manager and it will install the DDO on the mbr of your primary master.
When you go to install Thiz it is very important that you first boot from the harddrive to all the DDO software to run - it should give you a blue splash screen and then prompt you to insert a system disk. Then you can pop in the ThizLinux boot disk (you'll need to use a floppy - CD won't work) and install from there.
HTH
OK i installed ddo to the primary master mbr, windows98se is installed on that partition. And now? I don't really understand the
other steps... i can boot but then win98 will start.... and i don't see a blue splash screen when i boot....
Thx
mrBen
11-20-2002, 08:49 AM
Sounds like DDO didn't install properly - how did you go about installing it?
Normally you would see either a blue splash screen or a blue banner that says Ontrack Dynamic Drive Overlay, or something similar. The first time you install this should halt the bootup, and ask for a system disk and then press any key.
JohnT
11-20-2002, 08:51 AM
It's probably best if you use it to partition and install
As he says, it's best to set-up your drive with Ontrack. That means deleting partitions, creating partitions and formatting. Then installing the overlay. All with the Ontrack disk.
mrBen
11-20-2002, 09:00 AM
Also - what happens when you set the BIOS not to detect the drive at all, and then try and install ThizLinux?
I'm not too au fait with Thiz - I know with Slackware at bootup it tries to detect all drives itself, and so finds drives that the BIOS doesn't - this is the setup I currently have in my system.