Hi,
I'm new to linux and i'm almost finished setting up my debian workstation.

Background information: from kernel 2.4 --> 2.6 the s-ata device changes from hde to sda. Which is in my grub menu.lst:

title Debian GNU/Linux, kernel 2.6.9
root (hd0,2)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.9 root=/dev/sda3 ro
savedefault
boot


But when I look at my fstab file it says this :
# /etc/fstab: static file system information.
#
# <file system> <mount point> <type> <options> <dump> <pass>
proc /proc proc defaults 0 0
/dev/hde3 / ext3 defaults,errors=remount-ro 0 1
/dev/hde6 none swap sw 0 0
# /dev/hde5 /mnt/windows ntfs defaults 0 0 << here I would like to mount my ntfs partition
/dev/hdc /media/cdrom0 iso9660 ro,user,noauto 0 0
/dev/hdd /media/cdrom1 iso9660 ro,user,noauto 0 0
/dev/fd0 /media/floppy0 auto rw,user,noauto 0 0

So my grubloader is using /dev/sda3 to boot linux. But when i'm logged in it's being converted or something?
When I change the hde to sda in the fstab file my system hangs at boot.

When I use the commandline to mount the filesystem I have to mount /dev/sda5, this works..

The problem is that I CAN mount a ntfs filesystem from the commandline as root but
when I insert the same devices in fstab.. My system tells me at booting:
--------------------------
NTFS volume version 3.1
Dectecting hardware..
--------------------------
and then it hangs.

The big question: How can I mount my ntfs partition in fstab?

Here is my fdisk -l output:
Disk /dev/sda: 122.9 GB, 122942324736 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 14946 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes


Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 * 1 1912 15358108+ 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda2 1913 13836 95779530 5 Extended
/dev/sda3 13837 14946 8916075 83 Linux
/dev/sda5 1913 13784 95361808+ 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda6 13785 13836 417658+ 82 Linux swap


Thanks in advance,

Robin

make sure you have root access when attempting to overwrite a root permission /etc/fstab file?

2) if that fails you may need to repartition

I have a sata drive and with knoppix 3.6 kernel 2.4 series I used
cfdisk /dev/sda

If I had used the knoppix 2.6 it wanted to see the drive on reboot as hde.....I kid you not

but you are in control.......your choice.

3) if you don't want it to look like a scsi......
cfdisk /dev/hde

then use knoppix qtparted to format or your debian tool

good luck

That means that I HAVE TO go back to kernel 2.4 if I want to mount my NTFS partition at boot?

no.....I use knoppix cd kernel 2.4 to boot knoppix to use the 2.4 kernel and use the partition tool cfdisk
on reboot with an installed system on my SATA.... knoppix 2.4 sees my parts as sdaX

the system I installed was mdk with a kernel 2.6.8 series

Once you have created partitions as scsi LIKE your install cd will create the correct /etc/fstab file using any kernel you please.

S-ATA is as you know not really a scsi nor truly a IDE but I think its better you treat it as scsi.
I suspect you may have done something when you partitioned it or allowed some automatic tool to partittion it and it got confused and made it more IDE than scsi

Well... I think I don't understand you...

I had kernel 2.4. There my satadisk was IDE
Then I upgraded to 2.6.9 and my satadisc went SCSI
But my fstab stayed the same.... now when I change my fstab into sda... it won't boot..

I can't format partitions again.. There is data on them..

Can you explain it again? thanks.

Not at all.

I've periodically come upon a file somewhere in /etc that you can add commands to and they will get executed every time your comp boots. I always forget what it's called, so i hope somebody else will tell you .

Anyway, just add your mount command in whole to that file and enjoy.

That's a solution!

Still I'd like to know why my fstab is not working with sda..

well ok lets get some agreement eh/

can you boot into your system with your posted /etc/fstab using the 2.4 kernel?

2) can you list all files you have in /boot and /boot/grub/ ?

3) and simple question did you amend your /fstab file with root powers?

4) my explanation only works for a new formatted system so I will move on from there as you do not want to lose data.

5) have you have been into your bios to see if you need to enable sata as a setting instead of IDE?
I have to go into at least 2 bios menus to get sata recognised on gigabytte

No, But I can boot into my system with my 2.6 kernel

Yes I can..

Yes, that's ok

Yes, S-ATA is enabled... It's switched to enhanced modus.. (the other modus is compatible)

1) list all your files in /boot and all files in /boot/grub

2) sorry to hear 2.4 does not boot...

3) what I what U to do is see if there are config files for the 2.4 and the 2.6 and we try compiling your 2.6 series with the 2.4 config file

4) to jump the gun.....if you have no 2.4 config file in /boot load the kernel source from your cds it contains a file callled (dot) config that we can use if you have no config for /boot

this means you have to do as I say......heh heh......I won't be offended.

5) further info to follow if you are still happy to try me out

some info on my award bios on a gigabyte mobo

1 at main menu screen press control (with) F1 to get extra options
2 inside advanced
hard disk priority press enter to see that its my scsi==sata drive
3 inside I.P
sata mode is raid.....yes I know that seem funny
onchip sata is enabled
onboard ata/raid is disabled.....links to the funny one

AMENDED
to stop others from asking.....the sata mode only has 2 options on my up-to-date flashed bios,
raid or IDE and I want it to appear to linux as a non-ide therefore I had to choose raid.

then because I disabled the mobo's hardware raid.....only software raid is available but I don't use that either

I could rant on why but its personal.

them main thing is to have my hard drive appear as a scsi and not as a ide