Re: Win95 replacement
On Tuesday 18 December 2001 15:33, you wrote: > Ok, I have received several replies and greatly appreciate the help and > suggestions. Now I don't know whether to feel silly or glad. While > re-doing all of the step that I have taken so that I could write down > the messages, I was able to start the install via boot floppy and > successfully installed mandrake. I can't figure out what has changed > since, or maybe what I did wrong last time :) However, I still got the > same error when trying to boot from the cdrom. While I would like to > figure out the cause of the cdrom error, I have erased the evidence. > Several people have asked about the CD player, it did work in windows > and I was able to see the contents of it. In fact, I created the boot > floppy with tools provided on the cd. Declan has inquired about the > physical connection of the cd-rom which I will check after work today. > Otherwise, here is the information requested and the steps taken when > trying to boot from the cdrom. OK, if you got in, there's no big physical problem. > 1. After failing to boot directly from Mandrake cd, Caldera cd, or RH > cd, adjusted BIOS to boot starting with CD, then A:, then C: You couldn't boot from cdrom because you never set up for it! The closest you got was CD, (check C: first then D: or drive1 1st partition, Drive2 1st partition) It would have found a boot record on C: and run windoze :-(. If you had deleted or moved C:\command.com or io.sys, or msdos.sys, you would have got in :-/. Read the sigfile below. Yoyu couldn't run autoboot bat because your cdrom wasn't accessible under Dos. You (at a wild guess) were accessing this from a DOS prompt in windoze?? AFAIK, that isn't good enough. There is a question mark as to why it wouldn't start from a boot floppy was probably a dud floppy - install floppies are doubly fussy for some reason. -- Regards, Declan Moriarty Applied Researches - Ireland's Foremost Electronic Hardware Genius A Slightly Serious(TM) Company Experience is like a comb that Life gives you - AFTER all your hair has fallen out. ___ Linux-users mailing list Archives, Digests, etc at http://linux.nf/mailman/listinfo/linux-users
Re: Win95 replacement
- Original Message - From: "Keith Antoine" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2001 12:47 PM Subject: Re: Win95 replacement > > > One point mate, is that it is imperative that you DO know the chipsets on > board the MB and the video card so as you can tell linux what empiricals to > use. This is where most beginners fall down, not knowing whats under the hood. > With linux as opposed to windows, you need to know as windows cludges things > and operates as an i386 generic whist linux uses the full potentialities of > the h/w. I understand, I guess I was hoping that I could power on, boot linux and start configuring. I am taking off for vacation on Wed, so I wanted to see how much I could get done before I left. Oh well, I will get to the nitty gritty when I get back from vacation. > > Well at least i can say congrats and welcome now... Thanks. The help was much appreciated. Derek ___ Linux-users mailing list Archives, Digests, etc at http://linux.nf/mailman/listinfo/linux-users
Re: Win95 replacement
On Wednesday 19 December 2001 01:33, Derek Blazer enunciated: > Ok, I have received several replies and greatly appreciate the help and > suggestions. Now I don't know whether to feel silly or glad. While > re-doing all of the step that I have taken so that I could write down > the messages, I was able to start the install via boot floppy and > successfully installed mandrake. I can't figure out what has changed > since, or maybe what I did wrong last time :) However, I still got the > same error when trying to boot from the cdrom. While I would like to > figure out the cause of the cdrom error, I have erased the evidence. > Several people have asked about the CD player, it did work in windows > and I was able to see the contents of it. In fact, I created the boot > floppy with tools provided on the cd. Declan has inquired about the > physical connection of the cd-rom which I will check after work today. > Otherwise, here is the information requested and the steps taken when > trying to boot from the cdrom. > > Thanks again. > > Derek > > Pentium 150 > 80 meg ram > Western Digital 6 gig IDE hd (windows95 only, 4 partitions - 3 > partitioned into ~1.97 gig, 1 with the remainder) > Digital Research 36X IDE CDROM drive > Creative Banshee 3D Blaster with 16 meg SDRAM > I don't know the motherboard or ram manufacturers. > > The steps: > 1. After failing to boot directly from Mandrake cd, Caldera cd, or RH > cd, adjusted BIOS to boot starting with CD, then A:, then C: > 2. After making the switch, still ignores the cd and boots windows > 3. From the mandrake cd, I read in the help file that I can reboot into > DOS mode and use the autoboot.bat file from \dosutils on the cd. This > appears to successfully begin linux installation, but I get the error > "Kernel Panic : vfs : unable to mount > root fs on 08:04". Ok then it is the combination of the CD drive & the disk that is causing the problem. Windows does not push the hardware like linux does, and windows uses the std bois but linux introduces its own and ignores the std bios after a certain point. So you are like many of us in the list where at some point we had to use the floppy to boot with some have to use commandline and so on. I have found that with the latest h/w and distro installs its a cinch with cdrom boot. Not long ago I was using floppy boot. One point mate, is that it is imperative that you DO know the chipsets on board the MB and the video card so as you can tell linux what empiricals to use. This is where most beginners fall down, not knowing whats under the hood. With linux as opposed to windows, you need to know as windows cludges things and operates as an i386 generic whist linux uses the full potentialities of the h/w. Well at least i can say congrats and welcome now... -- Keith Antoine aka 'skippy' 18 Arkana St, The Gap, Queensland 4061 Australia PH:61733002161 Retired Geriatric, Sometime Electronics Engineer, Knowall, Brain in storage ___ Linux-users mailing list Archives, Digests, etc at http://linux.nf/mailman/listinfo/linux-users
Re: Win95 replacement
- Original Message - From: "Keith Antoine" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Monday, December 17, 2001 12:14 PM Subject: Re: Win95 replacement > > Um, ok so its gone on another computer, so its not the disk. However, EXACTLY > how are you going about the install, not through windows, I hope. I have seen > many crashed installed that were done via windows. What steps, please list, > are you getting to. What Hardware do you have , plaese list too. > Ok, I have received several replies and greatly appreciate the help and suggestions. Now I don't know whether to feel silly or glad. While re-doing all of the step that I have taken so that I could write down the messages, I was able to start the install via boot floppy and successfully installed mandrake. I can't figure out what has changed since, or maybe what I did wrong last time :) However, I still got the same error when trying to boot from the cdrom. While I would like to figure out the cause of the cdrom error, I have erased the evidence. Several people have asked about the CD player, it did work in windows and I was able to see the contents of it. In fact, I created the boot floppy with tools provided on the cd. Declan has inquired about the physical connection of the cd-rom which I will check after work today. Otherwise, here is the information requested and the steps taken when trying to boot from the cdrom. Thanks again. Derek Pentium 150 80 meg ram Western Digital 6 gig IDE hd (windows95 only, 4 partitions - 3 partitioned into ~1.97 gig, 1 with the remainder) Digital Research 36X IDE CDROM drive Creative Banshee 3D Blaster with 16 meg SDRAM I don't know the motherboard or ram manufacturers. The steps: 1. After failing to boot directly from Mandrake cd, Caldera cd, or RH cd, adjusted BIOS to boot starting with CD, then A:, then C: 2. After making the switch, still ignores the cd and boots windows 3. From the mandrake cd, I read in the help file that I can reboot into DOS mode and use the autoboot.bat file from \dosutils on the cd. This appears to successfully begin linux installation, but I get the error "Kernel Panic : vfs : unable to mount root fs on 08:04". ___ Linux-users mailing list Archives, Digests, etc at http://linux.nf/mailman/listinfo/linux-users
Re: Win95 replacement
On Mon, 17 Dec 2001 22:52:09 -0500 Tim Wunder <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Previously, Anita Lewis chose to write: > > that's the general idea. I just finished installing slackware on a laptop > > with 4Mb RAM and using floppies. First there was the boot floppy with the > > So there might be a use for my old 486SX-33 Gateway laptop with 8MB RAM? > Hmmm. Maybe I could turn it into a linux terminal... It needs a NIC, though... > > Anybody done this? Made a linux terminal using an old laptop. Is 8MB and a > 486SX-33 enough horsepower for an X-Terminal? Depends on your video card. 8Mb is pushing the lower limit for a decent X server because typically, X will use about 3Mb of RAM. You will need swap. But once X is up and running, shouldn't be too bad. I've never tried with a 486 laptop because you can't change the video card, and almost all 486's need to have a better video card (and of course you'll connect a better monitor to the laptop). Ciao, David A. Bandel -- Focus on the dream, not the competition. -- Nemesis Racing Team motto Internet (H323) phone: 206.28.187.30 ___ Linux-users mailing list Archives, Digests, etc at http://linux.nf/mailman/listinfo/linux-users
Re: Win95 replacement + ATAPI CDrom???
On Monday 17 December 2001 16:18, you wrote: [BIG SNIP OF IRRELEVANT TRIVIA(my own utterings)] > Yes, I am at the install stage. And no, it does not get to "In second > stage Install". Hurray!! Got that right! :) [ANOTHER BIG SNIP OF IRRELEVANT TRIVIA(my own utterings)] > I think I did this correctly: "mscdex /d:CD003" > This was the response: > "Device driver not found: 'CD003' > No valid cdrom device drivers selected" Repeat but say "No" to 'Echo Off'. Then you just might see the error the system sees. [FURTHER BIG SNIP OF IRRELEVANT TRIVIA(my own utterings)] right - that means you diidn't load the driver in config.sys - either because 1. the driver is not there, or (check this much) 2. the driver didn't see the cdrom, (no cdrom - they don't load) or 3. the cdrom isn't physically connected right. Personally, I find the most common failure mode for cdrom drives is not reading the disk, so I would expect 1. or 3. above. > > Assuming that I have performed the test correctly, am I to understand > that the cdrom is bad? ATAPI cdroms are ok under linux - aren't they? (Plea for insight and wisdom ;-) You may have failed the idiot test. Open the box, and check where the ribbon cable from the cdrom goes. It should go to a plug on the m/b. There should be a power connector; all the plugs should be in position - tight. If it's on the same cable as the hd, check the jumpers (It should be slave). Check if the red line goes to pin 1 on the m/b and on the hd. Tell us what you find. -- Regards, Declan Moriarty Applied Researches - Ireland's Foremost Electronic Hardware Genius A Slightly Serious(TM) Company Success covers a multitude of blunders - G.B. Shaw. ___ Linux-users mailing list Archives, Digests, etc at http://linux.nf/mailman/listinfo/linux-users
Re: Win95 replacement
On Mon, 17 Dec 2001 22:52:09 -0500 Tim Wunder <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Previously, Anita Lewis chose to write: > > that's the general idea. I just finished installing slackware on a > > laptop with 4Mb RAM and using floppies. First there was the boot > > floppy with the > > So there might be a use for my old 486SX-33 Gateway laptop with 8MB > RAM? Hmmm. Maybe I could turn it into a linux terminal... It needs a > NIC, though... > > Anybody done this? Made a linux terminal using an old laptop. Is 8MB > and a 486SX-33 enough horsepower for an X-Terminal? perhaps as a terminal it might, but i tried an installation using a DX2-50 w/ 8MB... X managed to start but it took about 5 minutes and it wasn't usable except (of course) at the command line. -- Myles Green Calgary AB Canada Alberta Linux Step by Step Mirror: http://www.telusplanet.net/public/mylesg/ -- There are two major products that come out of Berkeley: LSD and UNIX. We don't believe this to be a coincidence. -- Jeremy S. Anderson ___ Linux-users mailing list Archives, Digests, etc at http://linux.nf/mailman/listinfo/linux-users
Re: Win95 replacement
Previously, Anita Lewis chose to write: > that's the general idea. I just finished installing slackware on a laptop > with 4Mb RAM and using floppies. First there was the boot floppy with the So there might be a use for my old 486SX-33 Gateway laptop with 8MB RAM? Hmmm. Maybe I could turn it into a linux terminal... It needs a NIC, though... Anybody done this? Made a linux terminal using an old laptop. Is 8MB and a 486SX-33 enough horsepower for an X-Terminal? Tim ___ Linux-users mailing list Archives, Digests, etc at http://linux.nf/mailman/listinfo/linux-users
Re: Win95 replacement
On Sun, 16 Dec 2001 21:46:42 -0800, Derek Blazer wrote: > Thanks for the replies. I have tried to provide additional info below: > > - Original Message - > From: "Anita Lewis" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> >> You might try running the cdrom as a rescue disk to see what is > happening. >> I know you can do that with the RH disk. Boot it and then do 'linux > rescue' >> That will start linux in ram. Then do >> 'fdisk -l /dev/hda' and write down what that looks like. > > I don't understand how I can use a linux disk as a rescue disk for > windows. Actually, you should be able to do this and see what the hard drive looks like from linux. I misunderstood and thought you had installed, but when you booted you got that message. You are getting it when you attempt to install. My hope is that by running the linux rescue and then that fdisk command, you will see what the hard drive looks like. It may not be accessible or there may not be any unpartitioned space. I'm not sure what kind of message that would give, but I thought a look at it while using a linux kernel in RAM would be helpful information. If you get that error when you run 'linux rescue' then the problem is with loading a root filesystem into RAM. I may have the terminology wrong, but that's the general idea. I just finished installing slackware on a laptop with 4Mb RAM and using floppies. First there was the boot floppy with the kernel and then a root floppy which put a filesystem into RAM. I think that is what happens with the install from cdrom too. You have plenty of RAM; so I'm interested to see what happens with trying to run the cdrom as a rescue disk. RH does this and perhaps other distros do too. Anita ___ Linux-users mailing list Archives, Digests, etc at http://linux.nf/mailman/listinfo/linux-users
Re: Win95 replacement
Derek: Is it possible that the original owner of the computer and hard drive would have used one of the proprietary hard disk installation overlays to allow use of the entire 6 gigs of real estate on a machine with a BIOS that only recognizes 2 gig? There are several of these overlays around; two that come to mind are Western Digital's "EZ-Install" utility and Maxtor's "Max Blast Plus." I don't recall what Seagate calls their utility, but I have downloaded it from their web site. You must have the utility on a floppy or CD in order to restore the hard drive to its original state. Once this has been done, up to 2 gig will be available for normal use. I don't think you can install Linux on a hard drive on which the utility is still in place. FWIW Regards, Glenn Williams - [EMAIL PROTECTED] Registered Linux User # 135678 - since 1994 ----- Original Message - Subject: Re: Win95 replacement > On Tuesday 18 December 2001 02:18, Derek Blazer enunciated: > > > I could always stand to do some more reading on linux, but I have > > successfully installed linux before using these disks. Before posing my > > problem to the list, I did do a brief search in the Caldera users list > > archive and the step by step site. I would gladly read up on kernel > > panic errors if somebody would point me to a reference. ___ Linux-users mailing list Archives, Digests, etc at http://linux.nf/mailman/listinfo/linux-users
Re: Win95 replacement
On Tuesday 18 December 2001 02:18, Derek Blazer enunciated: > I could always stand to do some more reading on linux, but I have > successfully installed linux before using these disks. Before posing my > problem to the list, I did do a brief search in the Caldera users list > archive and the step by step site. I would gladly read up on kernel > panic errors if somebody would point me to a reference. Um, ok so its gone on another computer, so its not the disk. However, EXACTLY how are you going about the install, not through windows, I hope. I have seen many crashed installed that were done via windows. What steps, please list, are you getting to. What Hardware do you have , plaese list too. -- Keith Antoine aka 'skippy' 18 Arkana St, The Gap, Queensland 4061 Australia PH:61733002161 Retired Geriatric, Sometime Electronics Engineer, Knowall, Brain in storage ___ Linux-users mailing list Archives, Digests, etc at http://linux.nf/mailman/listinfo/linux-users
Re: Win95 replacement
- Original Message - From: "Declan Moriarty" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Monday, December 17, 2001 2:20 AM Subject: Re: Win95 replacement > > The following is a guess. To help you we need more precise information. > > So you're at the install stage, am I right? You know what you're talking > about, but we're not so sure :). When you load Mandrake, does it get as far > as saying "In second stage Install"? Excuse a lesson in detested operating > systems. Yes, I am at the install stage. And no, it does not get to "In second stage Install". > > Now if it can't mount the root fs during an install, It's a cdrom problem. > Have you a DOS driver for the cdrom loaded? Start up, press F8 repeatedly > around the time it's saying "Starting Windows 95..." and choose step by step > confirmation. There should be a DOS (not windoze) driver such as cdrom.sys in > the config.sys. Write down the cd line line of options it offers > you(something like /D:MSCD001) Don't load the registry, windows drivers, or output from the step by step config: "Device = C:\CDROMDRV\ATAPICD.SYS /D:CD003" > windows. Does mscdex.exe load? Never mind - load it yourself this way > mscdex /d:(repeat details of /D: option from cdrom.sys) I think I did this correctly: "mscdex /d:CD003" This was the response: "Device driver not found: 'CD003' No valid cdrom device drivers selected" > My guess is that you'll fail around the D: stage, of this process if not > before. This will prove a dud cdrom drive. Of course we're all presuming you > have a standard ide cdrom that you think works. If you get in, but then have > cdrom problems, it's a nonstandard cdrom driver, or being driven off the > soundcard's ide interface, or something stoopid like that. That might explain > not booting from the beast. > Assuming that I have performed the test correctly, am I to understand that the cdrom is bad? Thanks, Derek ___ Linux-users mailing list Archives, Digests, etc at http://linux.nf/mailman/listinfo/linux-users
Re: Win95 replacement
- Original Message - From: "Keith Antoine" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Monday, December 17, 2001 12:42 AM Subject: Re: Win95 replacement > > > I have been 'sort of' watching this thread, and the above statement puzzl;es > me, because one has to partition the drive BEFORE installation, and you say > you have not got that far ?? I guess I have been unclear on my setup. Right now the computer has windows and only windows installed on it. So the partitions I was referring to were the ones that were created for windows. > > You basically need to have a 'swap' partition and at LEAST one (1) other > partition for linux; do these exist at theis present time ? If not they need > making and I use partition magic to do this.eed making and I use partition > magic to do this. > > I am also of the opinion that you have not done enough, correct me if I am > wrong, reading of what is required of you before TRYING to load linux. I could always stand to do some more reading on linux, but I have successfully installed linux before using these disks. Before posing my problem to the list, I did do a brief search in the Caldera users list archive and the step by step site. I would gladly read up on kernel panic errors if somebody would point me to a reference. > > -- > Keith Antoine aka 'skippy' > 18 Arkana St, The Gap, Queensland 4061 Australia PH:61733002161 > Retired Geriatric, Sometime Electronics Engineer, Knowall, Brain in storage > > ___ > Linux-users mailing list > Archives, Digests, etc at http://linux.nf/mailman/listinfo/linux-users ___ Linux-users mailing list Archives, Digests, etc at http://linux.nf/mailman/listinfo/linux-users
RE: Win95 replacement
Derek Blazer wrote: > > Thanks for the replies. I have tried to provide additional > info below: > > Anita Lewis wrote: > > > > You might try running the cdrom as a rescue disk to see what is > happening. > > I know you can do that with the RH disk. Boot it and then do 'linux > rescue' > > That will start linux in ram. Then do > > 'fdisk -l /dev/hda' and write down what that looks like. [snippers] > I have tried to boot from the cdrom, but the system ignores it even > after adjusting the bios. So I have to reboot into dos and use the > autoboot.bat file from the /dosutils folder on the cdrom. Caldera > allows installation from within windows, which I have used before with > no problem. I have also tried creating a boot disk using the tools > provided on the installation disk (mandrake). Regardless of the > installation method, I get the same error. Do you need windoze on this box? If not, boot to DOS prompt, fdisk->remove all windoze partitions. Exit. Then fdisk /mbr to get rid of windows boot loader. Then try to install by booting to the cdrom again. If that doesn't work, try creating the boot floppies again. If you have another machine besides this one, you can create them on that. Trying with a clean, windoze free disk may help out some. -- Tom Wilson ___ Linux-users mailing list Archives, Digests, etc at http://linux.nf/mailman/listinfo/linux-users
Re: Win95 replacement
On Monday 17 December 2001 05:46, you wrote: > > I have tried to boot from the cdrom, but the system ignores it even > after adjusting the bios. So I have to reboot into dos and use the > autoboot.bat file from the /dosutils folder on the cdrom. Caldera > allows installation from within windows, which I have used before with > no problem. I have also tried creating a boot disk using the tools > provided on the installation disk (mandrake). Regardless of the > installation method, I get the same error. The following is a guess. To help you we need more precise information. So you're at the install stage, am I right? You know what you're talking about, but we're not so sure :). When you load Mandrake, does it get as far as saying "In second stage Install"? Excuse a lesson in detested operating systems. Now if it can't mount the root fs during an install, It's a cdrom problem. Have you a DOS driver for the cdrom loaded? Start up, press F8 repeatedly around the time it's saying "Starting Windows 95..." and choose step by step confirmation. There should be a DOS (not windoze) driver such as cdrom.sys in the config.sys. Write down the cd line line of options it offers you(something like /D:MSCD001) Don't load the registry, windows drivers, or windows. Does mscdex.exe load? Never mind - load it yourself this way mscdex /d:(repeat details of /D: option from cdrom.sys) It should assign a drive letter to your cdrom. (Let's say it's D:) Type D: cd dosutils autoboot.bat My guess is that you'll fail around the D: stage, of this process if not before. This will prove a dud cdrom drive. Of course we're all presuming you have a standard ide cdrom that you think works. If you get in, but then have cdrom problems, it's a nonstandard cdrom driver, or being driven off the soundcard's ide interface, or something stoopid like that. That might explain not booting from the beast. Prove things beyond doubt. Prove the install disk is good. Prove the floppy works. Prove the cdrom works. Something you're taking for granted is letting you down. -- Regards, Declan Moriarty Applied Researches - Ireland's Foremost Electronic Hardware Genius A Slightly Serious(TM) Company Experience is like a comb, that Life gives you - AFTER all your hair has fallen out! ___ Linux-users mailing list Archives, Digests, etc at http://linux.nf/mailman/listinfo/linux-users
Re: Win95 replacement
On Monday 17 December 2001 16:00, Derek Blazer enunciated: > It says IDE next to it during windows bootup, so I assume that it is not > a SCSI drive. I checked the devices tab on the system folder and didn't > see a SCSI controller listed. What windows says and what it know are two differing sorst of things so do not refer to windows as it has NO bearuing on what linux is seeing. Windows is clueless. > > It looks like you need to need to revisit the disk partitioning and > > formatting stage. > > I wish I could revisit it, but I haven't gotten that far in the linux > installation. However, on the topic of partitioning, right now the > drive has four (windows) partitions due to that old limit of 2 gig > partitions (3 - 1.97 gig partitions and some change). Could this have > an impact on the boot record? I had a similar setup on a previous > computer and didn't have any problems, so I am just reaching right now. > Would some sort of partitioning software help (partition magic, system > commander)? I have been 'sort of' watching this thread, and the above statement puzzl;es me, because one has to partition the drive BEFORE installation, and you say you have not got that far ?? You basically need to have a 'swap' partition and at LEAST one (1) other partition for linux; do these exist at theis present time ? If not they need making and I use partition magic to do this.eed making and I use partition magic to do this. I am also of the opinion that you have not done enough, correct me if I am wrong, reading of what is required of you before TRYING to load linux. -- Keith Antoine aka 'skippy' 18 Arkana St, The Gap, Queensland 4061 Australia PH:61733002161 Retired Geriatric, Sometime Electronics Engineer, Knowall, Brain in storage ___ Linux-users mailing list Archives, Digests, etc at http://linux.nf/mailman/listinfo/linux-users
Re: Win95 replacement
- Original Message - From: "Peter Ruskin" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2001 4:43 PM Subject: Re: Win95 replacement > This is telling you that it can't mount the root filesystem on device > major 8 minor 4, which, according to > /usr/src/linux/Documentation/devices.txt is /dev/sda4 - the fourth > primary partition of the first SCSI disk. Is your 6GB disk SCSI? It says IDE next to it during windows bootup, so I assume that it is not a SCSI drive. I checked the devices tab on the system folder and didn't see a SCSI controller listed. > > It looks like you need to need to revisit the disk partitioning and > formatting stage. > I wish I could revisit it, but I haven't gotten that far in the linux installation. However, on the topic of partitioning, right now the drive has four (windows) partitions due to that old limit of 2 gig partitions (3 - 1.97 gig partitions and some change). Could this have an impact on the boot record? I had a similar setup on a previous computer and didn't have any problems, so I am just reaching right now. Would some sort of partitioning software help (partition magic, system commander)? Thanks, Derek ___ Linux-users mailing list Archives, Digests, etc at http://linux.nf/mailman/listinfo/linux-users
Re: Win95 replacement
Thanks for the replies. I have tried to provide additional info below: - Original Message - From: "Anita Lewis" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Newsgroups: sxs.lists.linux-users To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2001 4:55 PM Subject: Re: Win95 replacement > > You might try running the cdrom as a rescue disk to see what is happening. > I know you can do that with the RH disk. Boot it and then do 'linux rescue' > That will start linux in ram. Then do > 'fdisk -l /dev/hda' and write down what that looks like. I don't understand how I can use a linux disk as a rescue disk for windows. > > If you are booting with LILO you can do: > > mount -t ext2 /dev/hdax /mnt (where the x is the partition number for /) > less /mnt/etc/lilo.conf (see what it has for the / partition) I haven't been able to get linux on the system yet so I can't use lilo. > > The kernel is loading, but it is not finding the / partition. I don't know > why that is. How are you trying to boot? What do you think your / > partition is? Tell us what you find with the fdisk command above and in > your lilo.conf, if you are using LILO. I have tried to boot from the cdrom, but the system ignores it even after adjusting the bios. So I have to reboot into dos and use the autoboot.bat file from the /dosutils folder on the cdrom. Caldera allows installation from within windows, which I have used before with no problem. I have also tried creating a boot disk using the tools provided on the installation disk (mandrake). Regardless of the installation method, I get the same error. ___ Linux-users mailing list Archives, Digests, etc at http://linux.nf/mailman/listinfo/linux-users
Re: Win95 replacement
On Sunday 16 Dec 2001 23:52, Derek Blazer wrote: > Hello all, > > I recently acquired an older computer from a co-worker and I wish to > get rid of windows95 and replace it with linux so that I may play. I > have tried loading Redhat 6.1, Mandrake 7.0, and Caldera 2.3. All > three have given me the same error: "Kernel panic: VFS: unable to mount > root fs on 08:04". I have briefly searched the step-by-step site and This is telling you that it can't mount the root filesystem on device major 8 minor 4, which, according to /usr/src/linux/Documentation/devices.txt is /dev/sda4 - the fourth primary partition of the first SCSI disk. Is your 6GB disk SCSI? It looks like you need to need to revisit the disk partitioning and formatting stage. > the Caldera users list archive to no avail. The only references in the > archive for this kind of task only say to boot the linux installation > CD and proceed, well that doesn't seem to work in this case. Can > anybody shed some light on this? Any suggestions would be greatly > appreciated. Here are some details about the computer: > > Pentium 150 > 80 meg ram > 6 gig hd (Seagate, I think) > Creative Labs Banshee with 16 meg sdram > > > Derek > > > > > > > ___ > Linux-users mailing list > Archives, Digests, etc at http://linux.nf/mailman/listinfo/linux-users -- Peter Ruskin, Wrexham, Wales. Registered Linux User No. 219434 ( see http://counter.li.org/ ). Mandrake Linux release 8.1 (Vitamin) for i586 Kernel 2.4.8-34.1mdk-win4lin, XFree86 4.1.0, patch level 21mdk. KDE: 2.2.2. Qt: 2.3.2. Uptime 3 days 8 hours 3 minutes. -- ___ Linux-users mailing list Archives, Digests, etc at http://linux.nf/mailman/listinfo/linux-users
Re: Win95 replacement
On Sun, 16 Dec 2001 15:52:05 -0800, Derek Blazer wrote: > Hello all, > > I recently acquired an older computer from a co-worker and I wish to get rid > of windows95 and replace it with linux so that I may play. I have tried > loading Redhat 6.1, Mandrake 7.0, and Caldera 2.3. All three have given me > the same error: "Kernel panic: VFS: unable to mount root fs on 08:04". I > have briefly searched the step-by-step site and the Caldera users list > archive to no avail. The only references in the archive for this kind of > task only say to boot the linux installation CD and proceed, well that > doesn't seem to work in this case. Can anybody shed some light on this? > Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Here are some details about > the computer: > > Pentium 150 > 80 meg ram > 6 gig hd (Seagate, I think) > Creative Labs Banshee with 16 meg sdram > > > Derek You might try running the cdrom as a rescue disk to see what is happening. I know you can do that with the RH disk. Boot it and then do 'linux rescue' That will start linux in ram. Then do 'fdisk -l /dev/hda' and write down what that looks like. If you are booting with LILO you can do: mount -t ext2 /dev/hdax /mnt (where the x is the partition number for /) less /mnt/etc/lilo.conf (see what it has for the / partition) The kernel is loading, but it is not finding the / partition. I don't know why that is. How are you trying to boot? What do you think your / partition is? Tell us what you find with the fdisk command above and in your lilo.conf, if you are using LILO. Anita ___ Linux-users mailing list Archives, Digests, etc at http://linux.nf/mailman/listinfo/linux-users
Re: Win95 replacement
Derek Download Workstation 3.1 iso from calera. I just put it on an okser machine than yours. Works great. www.caldera.comgo to products / or support and get the image and burn a cd rom. All that you mentioned are okder Linuxs. cheers -- Rick Sivernell Dallas, Texas 75287 972 306-2296 [EMAIL PROTECTED] Caldera e-Server 3.1 Registered Linux User #193859 .~. / v \ /( _ )\ ^ ^ In Linux we trust! ___ Linux-users mailing list Archives, Digests, etc at http://linux.nf/mailman/listinfo/linux-users
