Install and MBR

Kanon · 03-05-2006, 03:40 AM

Im haveing problems with starting up RH. For some reasson the installation dont setup the MBR. After every RH install I get "Missing operating system". DOS works 100%.
I'v tryed removing the MBR in DOS, deleted all partiotions in DOS. Installing RH. Rebooting (by CTRL+ALT+DEL) and get the error. I even tryed both Grub and Lilo now change.

Any suggestions?

EDIT: Im trying to install on a clean disk. And boot nothing else than RH. Same thing for both RH 9 and ES.

anti.corp · 03-05-2006, 04:14 AM

Hi,

Did you erase your mbr using fdisk from a windows98 floppy/cd?

Command looks like this:

Code:

fdisk /mbr

That will wipe your mbr.

What type of system are you trying to install it on?

Kanon · 03-05-2006, 04:42 AM

Yes, I'v tryed the /mbr option at no vial.
And it's an AMD clone.

anti.corp · 03-05-2006, 04:51 AM

Ok. Did you check this out:

Quote:

While partitioning your hard drive, keep in mind that the BIOS in some older systems cannot access more than the first 1024 cylinders on a hard drive. If this is the case, leave enough room for the /boot Linux partition on the first 1024 cylinders of your hard drive to boot Linux. The other Linux partitions can be after cylinder 1024.

In parted, 1024 cylinders equals 528MB. Refer to http://www.pcguide.com/ref/hdd/bios/sizeMB504-c.html for more information.

It is taken from this url:
http://www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/l...OADER-SMP-LILO

The above is relevant if you try to install on a older machine.

What is the hardware specifications? It is easier to help you out knowing what type of hardware you are using.

Kanon · 03-05-2006, 05:04 AM

The disk is 4Gb. And I have had RH run perfectly from the disk before. But then I wanted to resinstall and after that it was down hill. After the first reinstall Grub only started it self. So I had the prompt (not RH CLI). The next resinstall (to fix the 2nd one) Grub was absent. Tryed to install Lilo. But the loader was still missing.
Have I missed some option to install or fix the MBR during boot up from the CDs? I might be wrong here, but I think there is one on Debian. Hmmm.. Maybe thats the way to go? Setup Grup from Debian then install RH.

EDIT: I let the install setup the partitions for me. No need to change it since its a test system.

anti.corp · 03-05-2006, 05:44 AM

Hi,

Did you follow this guide:
http://www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/l...kpartauto.html
?

It is located here:
http://www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/l...install-guide/

Kanon · 03-05-2006, 10:52 AM

Jupp, tryed both remove options. And; removed partiotions in DOS installed RH - no vail, made a 5 Mb partiotion and installed DOS installed RH - no vail, done changes during install like added password to loader -no vail, change boot loader to Lilo - no vail.
Tomorrow I'll test with other distros.

Kanon · 03-05-2006, 10:53 AM

Thanks for your help/coming up suggestions, anti.corp!

anti.corp · 03-05-2006, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kanon

Thanks for your help/coming up suggestions, anti.corp!

Your welcome.

It could be that you need to adjust your BIOS settings. Did you in any way reset them?

Well, here is a in depth howto for partitioning:
http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/Partition/index.html

And lets hear how things work out

Sincerely, Jørgen