It's as simple as that, hope someone will help find the answer.

Boot or install halts on Autoconfiguring devices... modprobe: modprobe: Can't locate module block-major-2

No wonder, module block-major-2 = floppy drive and my system DOES NOT HAVE ONE...

Please advise any CHEAT CODE or a way to disable loading module block-major-2 that could help boot with no floppy drive detection?

I've Already tried
(generic codes that came to mind):
.... nofloppy --the same modprobe problem,
... nofd* --the same modprobe problem,
... nofd0 --the same modprobe problem...
... nousb as suggested: -the same modprobe problem...

disable the Floppy drive from the bootup sequence [BIOS] -the same modprobe problem...

failsafe will boot/install, but the limited hardware detection/run is too much of a compromise for a floppy drive.....

mount an external usb floppy drive (mac) --same error message, no boot..

posted this qestion in the knoppix.net and comp.os.linux.hardware forums --same error message, no boot..

The peculiar hadware and distro are really irrelevant to this rather general querry, but here they're:

Hardware:
No floppy drive.
all the rest of hardware is wonderfully supported!
Dell Inspiron 600M notebook.
Intel Pentium®M, 1.3GHz,14.1 SXGA+
512MB RAM
ATI 32MB Video (Randeon 9000 mobile)
Wireless Networking Card (only backwards compatible/supported)
Intel® PRO/Wireless 2100 WLAN (802.11b, 11Mbps) miniPCI Card
20GB Ultra ATA Hard Drive (Fujitsu ..)
24xCD-RW/DVD (Toshiba ..)
56K Modem and Integrated Network Card

Linux distro:
Knoppix (Debian core), but others as well give problem at the module block-major-2.

Thank you for any tips!

Hi,

on the German Knoppix version that was sold with the German C'T there is an option that is called "failsafe". Just enter failsafe at the LILO prompt and see what happens. I don't know if this works with all knoppix versions.

cu

yes, it will boot with failsafe but that's a limited hardware detection/configuration => graphics, and others are not performing to their capacity. Too much of a compromise for a floppy drive detection...

Hi,

can't you disable floppy detection ... i'm remembering a boot option...

check out the knoppix boot options

cu

Hello,
> can't you disable floppy detection...
This is what I really want to do..

I've now, mounted external usb fd (mac, but it shouldn't matter?) and then tried to boot. No luck with that too...--the same module major-2 error. usb is properly detected, btw...
So the hardware go-around variant didn't work. Software disable must be possible.

>i'm remembering a boot option... check out the knoppix boot options

Perhaps the German version is more complete?

Have checked the cheat codes list (Engl), no one referres to fd (floppy drive) disable.

Used a few generic codes that came to mind (listed in the post above: "knoppix nofd*", "knoppix nofloppy", etc.) none worked.

If you see a Cheat code that disables the fd detection at boot line in the German version (may be more complete!) please do let me know!

Hi,

i'm pasting the knoppix-cheat.txt file from the knoppix cd here:

====================8<=========8<===============
CHEATCODES AND HINTS FOR KNOPPIX V3.1
==============================================================================
(last update: 15.01.2002)

These options (can be combined) work from the SYSLINUX bootprompt:

knoppix lang=cn|de|da|es|fr|it|pl specify language/keyboard
knoppix lang=ru|sk|tr|tw|us specify language/keyboard
knoppix desktop=fluxbox|gnome|icewm Use specified WM instead of KDE
knoppix desktop=kde|larswm|twm Use specified WM instead of KDE
knoppix desktop=fluxbox|xfce Use specified WM instead of KDE
knoppix screen=1280x1024 Use specified Screen resolution for X
knoppix xvrefresh=60 Use 60 Hz vertical refresh rate for X
knoppix xserver=XFree86|XF86_SVGA Use specified X-Server
knoppix xmodule=ati|fbdev|savage|s3 Use specified XFree4-Module
knoppix 2 Runlevel 2, Textmode only
knoppix floppyconfig Run "knoppix.sh" from a floppy
knoppix no{apic,agp,apm,dma} Skip parts of HW-detection (1)
knoppix no{firewire,pcmcia,scsi} Skip parts of HW-detection (2)
knoppix no{swap,usb} Skip parts of HW-detection (3)
failsafe Boot with (almost) no HW-detection
knoppix pci=irqmask=0x0e98 Notebooks, if PS/2 mouse doesn't work
knoppix ide2=0x180 nopcmcia Boot from PCMCIA (transmeta notebooks)
knoppix mem=128M Specify Memory size in MByte
knoppix noeject Do NOT eject CD after halt
knoppix-txt No framebuffer at startup
knoppix vga=normal No-framebuffer mode, but X
knoppix blind Start Braille-Terminal (no X)
knoppix brltty=type,port,table Parameters for Braille device
knoppix wheelmouse Enable IMPS/2 protocol for wheelmice
fb1280x1024 Use fixed framebuffer graphics
fb1024x768 Use fixed framebuffer graphics
fb800x600 Use fixed framebuffer graphics
knoppix keyboard=us xkeyboard=us Use different keyboard (text/X)
knoppix testcd Check CD data integrity
expert Interactive setup for experts

===============8<=====================8<==========

perhaps it will help you ... also the expert switch seems to be an option to get knoppix running on your laptop

cu

Hi, one last idea:

check out /usr/src/linux/Documentation/floppy.txt

if you don't have it, check out here: http://za.hn.org/floppy.txt

there are lots of options, perhaps one will help you on your way running knoppix

cu

Hi,

*grmbl* http://za.hn.org/floppy.txt ....

cu

Thank you much! Will be reading/trying!