Fedora Core 6 (Linux) will not boot after install

Question

I've got a Dell Optiplex 320, with the ATI sb600 chipset and SATA controller in it, and I'm having some problems getting fc6 to boot after install.

I was able to get the install cd to recognize the drives with the parameter:

pci=nomsi

And I'm able to complete the install, and partition the drive, and everything else looks ok.

BUT, when I go to boot the system, the grub boot menu comes up, and after I choose my install, it hangs shortly after that, just before it starts uncompressing the kernel, I believe.

The screen looks like this:

Booting command-list
root (hd0,1)
Filesystem type is ext2fs, partition type 0x83
kernel /vmlinuz=2.6.18-1.2798.fc6 ro root=/dev/VolGroup00/LogVol00 pci=nomsi rhgb quiet
[Linux-bzImage, setup=0x1e00, size=0x1b94fc]

... and that's it! I've tried adding and removing options, such as all-generic-ide, or acpi=force irqpoll. At this point, I'm not even really sure what its getting stuck on, is it failing to find the kernel? Is it waiting on something else? Are there any logs I can check? Anything?

Any ideas MUCH appreciated.

Thanks

--Ben

Message Edited by benprew on 12-14-200611:37 AM

benprew · Answer

Hey,

when you're about to install fedora core, you normally type this:

linux

right? But, if you want it to pick up the chipset, you have to add the parameter pci=nomsi, so you would type this instead:

linux pci=nomsi

I thought I mentioned that in my first post, but it may have been a little obtuse :). Let me know if you happen to get it booting Fedora after its installed.

Thanks

--Ben

completely_lost · Answer

How did you managed to get Feroda 6 install on your Optiplex 320? When I try to install it is unable to identify the HD. Cheers

benprew · Answer

Fixed! ... sorta.

So, I was able to get the machine up, but I had to install lilo, and then after that, recompile the kernel with sata support built-in.

I'm not sure why grub wasn't working, but it would start the grub, but once it started reading the blocklist, it would just quit. Someone at my work guessed a BIOS bug in the Dell BIOS, but we don't know for sure.

In either case, it looks like it works, it just takes some effort.

completely_lost · Answer

Dear benprew,

I noticed you were able to install Fedora 6 by installing LILO. First congregation! Second, thank you for setting me straight on the pci=nomsi. Thirdly, how did you install LILO (If memory is correct, starting from FC5 the LILO packages do not exist)?

Cheers

anonim · Answer

You can solve the problem with SATA controller by changing it in the BIOS to work in compatible mode (or something similar, check the BIOS for SATA entry and chose the other option). Then HDD is seen and you can install and boot Linux normal.

khightower · Answer

Is this a problem with the onboard SATA controller only? If I added a Linux supported PCI sata card, would this allow a normal install and GRUB to boot

completely_lost · Answer

It has been a few months since I have installed linux on the Optiplex 320. In the end I had to install openSUSE 10.2, but used LILO instead of GRUB. Also you need to type linux pci=nomsi on the command line instead of just linux.

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Fedora Core 6 (Linux) will not boot after install

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