LinuxQuestions.org
Latest LQ Deal: Latest LQ Deals
Go Back   LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Software
User Name
Password
Linux - Software This forum is for Software issues.
Having a problem installing a new program? Want to know which application is best for the job? Post your question in this forum.

Notices


Reply
  Search this Thread
Old 03-14-2014, 01:41 AM   #1
bruce0
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Mar 2014
Posts: 4

Rep: Reputation: Disabled
New install boot does not see disks


Hi - I have an old i think 486 computer that I used to have Linux (slackware) and Win98 on. I tried to upgrade from an OLD version - something like from a 1999 version to a a couple of newer distros but none would work. In fact I was left with no Linux at all, having as worst case formatted all the disks except one which was a FAT32 Win98 storage disk of a whole lot of TV shows I still want... and oh yah mananged to get Win98 reloaded too.

But now all the versions of Linux I have tried, after the initial floppy or CD boot cannot see any of the 3 disks. I have tried the original Linux from 14 years ago (Slackware and Redhat), as well as the latest Ubunto and Slackware.

The disk are not seen, fdisk cannot open any device... i tried them all... hda-z sda-z....

I have no clue what changed... nothing that I can tell.

OK - it does have a Promise Ultra 66 controller card for the hard disks but there are no more slots for IDE open on the motherboard after the Floppy and CDROM.

And BIOS does not see any disks... no primary anything... like the Promise card makes them invisible... it does see the CDROM, Floppy, and ZIP drive.

It's an old Gateway.

Can anyone help? does anyone ever have this happen to them? like i said I do think it's the controller card but Win98 works fine... just not Linux... and I can't pull the card...

Thanks for any help..
 
Old 03-14-2014, 11:09 AM   #2
pingu
Senior Member
 
Registered: Jul 2004
Location: Skuttunge SWEDEN
Distribution: Debian preferably
Posts: 1,350

Rep: Reputation: 127Reputation: 127
It's the controller card that is the problem, you need a driver for it.
I couldn't find it on http://www.promise.com, they have a "Legacy Download Center".
But I found this: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/...roller-support
Some tips that might help.
 
1 members found this post helpful.
Old 03-14-2014, 02:23 PM   #3
bruce0
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Mar 2014
Posts: 4

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: Disabled
Re: one try for no see hard disks

Quote:
Originally Posted by pingu View Post
It's the controller card that is the problem, you need a driver for it.
I couldn't find it on http://www.promise.com, they have a "Legacy Download Center".
But I found this: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/...roller-support
Some tips that might help.
Thanks a lot for your help, and pointing me to a future source of info.

Late last night I lost my cool and pulled the Ultra66 Promise card, but also had to lose one disk as 2 are the limit with no controller card - and it works now, speeds are not noticably different.

So I think you are right about no driver.. it's just uncomprehensable to me what is going on as I have a copy of the - at the time - latest Windows driver for the Promise card loaded, and everything works fine under Windows even though the BIOS did not see the Disks under IDE configuration.

AND under my old Linux install - which I've lost... it all worked fine. So I guess on the Linux side none of the 3 newer distros and different kernels supported the Promise Controller.. ?? ...

And sad to say I cannot seem to get the new distros (Slackware, Ubunto) to load on the old PC. Probably not unreasonable, considering it's a 15 year old computer. I'd like to catch up on some years of Linux development.

If any help on that from anyone would appreciate it.

I know... $300 would get me a new computer with no hassles but I happen to have this one and its here and free... and I've learned a lot for when I load a new computer...

And thanks pingu for your assistance and answering me.

Last edited by bruce0; 03-14-2014 at 03:14 PM.
 
Old 03-14-2014, 03:17 PM   #4
pingu
Senior Member
 
Registered: Jul 2004
Location: Skuttunge SWEDEN
Distribution: Debian preferably
Posts: 1,350

Rep: Reputation: 127Reputation: 127
Maybe try an older distro, personally I'd go for Debian. Here's a link for old Debians: ftp://ftp.sunet.se/pub/Linux/distrib...ian/debian-cd/
You'll also find pretty old Slack's and other distros. Older distros are more likely to include drivers for that card.

And then... Here comes the tricky thing: try to upgrade that old distro, it *should* keep the driver, touch-wood...

Not easy, no guarantee. Just a suggestion that *might* help.
 
  


Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off



Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
how to: mount extra disks (non-boot disks) maxreason Ubuntu 2 12-27-2012 09:54 PM
WinXP fails to boot live Linux disks, can't install donchale Linux - General 13 10-02-2011 02:33 PM
Two hard disks - dual boot ( XP - Linux ) using microsoft boot loader, not grub cristy88 Linux - General 2 12-17-2007 06:26 PM
Help: Slackware 9 Install Boot Disks DigitalIce Slackware 9 10-27-2003 06:43 PM
Slackware 9.0 Boot disk and install disks drone Slackware 8 10-23-2003 08:02 PM

LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Software

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:45 PM.

Main Menu
Advertisement
My LQ
Write for LQ
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute content, let us know.
Main Menu
Syndicate
RSS1  Latest Threads
RSS1  LQ News
Twitter: @linuxquestions
Open Source Consulting | Domain Registration