/dev/hda under lilo.conf even thoug my HD is under /dev/hdb

Basel · 10-26-2005, 01:04 AM

Hi,

Why did Slackware added /dev/hda to the top of lilo.conf even though my HD is under /dev/hdb?
I experienced a strange behavior with Slackware 10.2 installation yesterday when I tried to install Lilo to the MBR. The installer gave and error which I do not remember at the moment. However, after I booted from the CD and viewed /etc/lilo.conf I noticed that /dev/hda was added at the top while under the Linux boot section /dev/hdb, which is the correct one in my case, was added. I had to change /dev/hda to /dev/hdb for lilo to be installed.

uopjohnson · 10-26-2005, 06:46 PM

Did you use the automatic option when configuring lilo during installation? If I recall correctly you manually set this VAR when you select the advanced lilo option.

Basel · 10-26-2005, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by uopjohnson
Did you use the automatic option when configuring lilo during installation? If I recall correctly you manually set this VAR when you select the advanced lilo option.

Yes, I selected the automatic option when configuring lilo.

rkelsen · 10-26-2005, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Basel
I had to change /dev/hda to /dev/hdb for lilo to be installed.

In an IDE system, the boot loader must be installed in the boot sector of the primary master HD.

This means that the first line of your lilo.conf file should read:

Code:

boot = /dev/hda

Then in the OS section, you should have:

Code:

image = /boot/vmlinuz
label = linux
root = /dev/hdbx

Where x= the number of the partition on hdb you want to use as Linux's root directory.

Basel · 10-26-2005, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rkelsen
In an IDE system, the boot loader must be installed in the boot sector of the primary master HD.

This means that the first line of your lilo.conf file should read:

Code:

boot = /dev/hda

Lilo refuses to be installed when the boot options is set to /dev/hda

Code:

Reading boot sector from /dev/hda
Fatal: open /dev/hda: No such device or address

rkelsen · 10-27-2005, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Basel
Lilo refuses to be installed when the boot options is set to /dev/hda

Code:

Reading boot sector from /dev/hda Fatal: open /dev/hda: No such device or address

Are your hard drives SATA or IDE?

Basel · 10-27-2005, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rkelsen
Are your hard drives SATA or IDE?

IDE. I think this problem appeared because pins 3 and 4 of the J8 jumper are jumpered. In other words, the HD is set as Slave and not as Master.

gbonvehi · 10-27-2005, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Basel
IDE. I think this problem appeared because pins 3 and 4 of the J8 jumper are jumpered. In other words, the HD is set as Slave and not as Master.

Heh, yeah, that's the root of the problem then:
hda = primary master
hdb = primary slave
hdc = secondary master
hdd = secondary slave

Probably it's assumed that at least one disk will be at primary master, you can check the setup sources to see that.

rkelsen · 10-27-2005, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Basel
IDE. I think this problem appeared because pins 3 and 4 of the J8 jumper are jumpered. In other words, the HD is set as Slave and not as Master.

Yep. That's your problem. I find that it is best to use "Cable Select" (CS) option on all HDs. Then there is always a master and slave.