Hello,

I had been using FC4, FC5, FC6 and a number of kernel versions with no problems in my system, but I just can't install F7.

I tried using the DVD full image, the Live CD and the emergency CD, all for F7 for i386. None of them work on my Matsonic MS7308E machine, but the disks seem to work fine in two Dell machines where I could even do a full boot from the Live CD, so I know the disks are fine.

Yes, I also tested the ISO image for errors after downloading and tested the media after burning.

The DVD or CD boot the machine and load isolinux. Then the first error I get in my Matsonic system with any of the disks is:

"vesamenu.c32: attempted DOS system call"

I understand that this is a video adapter problem. It seems that the video is card is just not compatible with F7.

So I try a text installation using "linux text", but the PC just freezes at the blue screen. With the Live CD, I get similar behavior but with some interesting messages:

"ata2.00 exception ..."
"ata2.00 cmd ..."
"ata2: port failed to respond..."
"ata2.00 revalidation failed..."

It looks like my parallel ATA system is incompatible with F7.

Are there systems that just can't load F7 installer?

Luis
http://monterrey.sitiosprodigy.com.mx/

Today I tried to install Fedora 8 but went into the same problem again. I found that you can get past the vesamenu.c32 by typing "linux" at the boot: prompt for Fedora 7 and "linux0" at the boot: prompt for Fedora 8.

The "ata2.00" messages turned out to be not on the ATA subsystem in my board, but on my DVD writer; I found this by plugging in an old CD reader and I could boot with both Fedora 7 and 8.

The Fedora 7 CD boots fine. I am still having some trouble with Fedora 8.

Luis
http://monterrey.sitiosprodigy.com.mx/

I experienced similar problems during my installation of F7. The kernel delivered with the F7 install was very cutting edge and had a number of changes in the way it handles block devices. I ended up making my own install CD using the kernel on the FC6 install CD along with some minor changes to initrd and then filing a bug report. Once the system was up I used a rescue CD and installed an FC6 kernel to get it working. The kernel has gone through several updates since then and the current F7 kernel works with my hardware. It would probably be worth it to file a bug report.

Bill

Yesterday I tried something else. I unplugged my second hard drive from the primary IDE interface and plugged in the conflicting DVD drive. It turns out that the "ata2.00" problem is gone. I could install Fedora 7 right away; I faced other problems but those will go into another post.

Why would the same installation CD would have problems on the secondary interface and not in the primary?

I had used this same interface to install FC4, FC5, FC6 without any problems, but it doesn't support F7 or F8 installation.

Luis
http://monterrey.sitiosprodigy.com.mx/