I've been having this problem for months, but it's only recently that I have been able to get to work on it. It started with FC5, and I recently upgraded to FC6 and I am still having the problem. When I try to boot I get one of the two following errors:

1) "GRUB Hard Disk Error".
It just sits until I reboot. (EDIT: If it matters at all, I'm booting FC6 off of a floppy.)
Sometimes I get past this part, GRUB loads and I try to get into FC6, when I get the following huge error:

2)If I try to go into rescue mode, reinstall, or anything from the CD, I get the same error message, except the kernel panic is "Kernel panic - not syncing: Attempted to kill init!" and a bit of the hex is different.

I've narrowed the problem down to being my graphics card. If I remove it from its slot, everything works like a dream (which is how I upgraded to FC6), but when it gets put pack in (even if the monitor is still connected to the integrated graphics) everything goes haywire.

I'm not an utter newbie to linux, but as a result of this problem, my experience is limited, so please be descriptive if you reply. If you need any further information just tell me. I can pull the card and boot linux to get it.

mmm... Weird, I have ATI x850 and x1600 in Linux and run fine. Are you sure your Video Card is not damaged? Also, I could be wrong but is this a Dual Proc system? I am seeing some APIC errors and SMP info on the screen. Also, what drivers have you installed for the ATI video card, the default?

But ATI drivers prob would not matter when it comes to grub. mmmm....

Is the it a true upgrage to FC6 or a new install? I would be curios to see if fresh install of FC6 would resolve the problem.

http://www.linuxforums.org/forum/red...on-9250-a.html

Take a look at that link, it could possibly help you. Please reply back, I am curious to see if anything works or if you resolve this.

The card works perfectly with Windows, so it's not damaged. I assume that by "dual proc" you mean dual processors and, if so, no it's not. As far as drivers on the linux side, I have whatever it will default to. I can't get in to install any once the card is in. I tried once to install the drivers before the card, but once the card was in, I got the same error.

It's a new install. I've tried reinstalling multiple times to fix both this and other problems, but I still get the same error. I tried an install with the card already in, but it won't let me into the installer, neither text-based nor graphical.


As far as the link goes, I've read it before, among others related to my problem (Everything I've learned about linux, I learned from this board or from screwing up and fixing it.:-p). Incidently, I was having the same problem as that user to begin with, but I fixed that a while ago. None of what was offered in that thread helped with my problem, though, unfortunatly.

Do you have an onobard video card? You said you could remove that ATI and everything is fine? With what video card?


Is it possible to disable that (onboard)video card either through bios or jumper on the MB. Could be conflict there.

The onboard is an Intel 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV. As far as disabling it, I'll certainly try. I never thought to do that. I'll post results.

I wasn't able to disable the onboard in the BIOS, but I was able to set it to default to it. Which means that I can now load Fedora without pulling out the card, but I do have to switch the card in the BIOS and connect the monitor to the proper card when switching between the two OSs. Which I can live with if it can't be fixed. At least there's no chance to damage the card whenever I want to change.

As far as disabling the onboard at the jumper on the motherboard, how would I do that? (I'm not really a hardware guy, haven't had a lot of need to learn that yet.)

Well that is good, sounds like we are half way there, no? So Fedora is working? What kind of computer do you have? Look on your motherboard and see if you can find any writing like a Model # or company.

Allot of motherboards have these little square pregs, and I mean little, your mother has them on there, I am sure of it. You move them around to change the settings on the MB, like disabing video,resetting bios settings or allowing bios upgrades.

What you need is the technical manual for your computer or motherboard which tells you how to disable primary video which is your onboard video.

I never heard of this but maybe grub was in contention over which video to use even though your system should predetermine this. I am no grub expert so I am unsure.

Can you set the default video card to the ati somehow? What are you settings for default video in your bios?

Is your ATI card PCI, AGP or PCIE.. What is your processor on your computer?

You can also try submitting your problem to the Grub Developer mailing list. We can keep trying here too.

http://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/

Model: Dell Dimension 2350
CPU: Intel Pentium 4 2.4 GHz
Motherboard: Bluford E139765

That's actually what I suspecting as well, but I don't know of any way to check this.

The only choices for video card in the BIOS are Intel and Auto. If I do auto, it chooses whatever the monitor is plugged into.

The card is a Radeon 9250, PCI.

I don't know if this might be affecting things somehow, but when I boot into Fedora, in the display menu it is listing the second card as a Radeon 9200, rather than 9250.

I would go through your documentation or call dell directly and ask if there is a jumper. Maybe, Dell has a bios upgrade for your particular model. I am suspecting this is hardware prob and not a grub problem.

But, still would not hurt and talk to the grub folks. Do you have the manual for the MB or can you get it from dell?

The interesting thing is that both video cards are working... Need to disable the onboard.... Must be jumper somewhere.

I don't have a manual, no. But I can probably find one. The BIOS I have is the most up to date offered by Dell. I'll look for the manual somewhere and see if I can disable the onboard. Thanks a lot for all of your help.