Slackware on VMware Server 1.0.1
 

Good morning all,

I have been tasked with testing VMware for creating virtual servers, in my case creating virtual server as test machines for upgrades etc. I am trying to get Slackware 11 or 12 installed without success. I have been reading, Goggling, etc. No luck.

I have FreeBSD running as a guest so I am fairly certain VMware is installed and working as intended, host OS is Windows 2003 server. When installing Slackware all goes well through the installation, I can watch the virtual disks fill up, no errors are observed. However when I restart after the install I get a single cursor on an empty screen.

I have tried the LSI and Buslogic drivers on a SCSI virtual disk, and I have tried the IDE virtual disk. No joy. Generally I can figure these things out if I get a response, a error, a screen of junk, anything. But I got nuthin', nada, zip. The cursor don't even flash, hitting enter offers no newline.

Anyone got a good idea where to go next?

Thanks,

DAve

Lilo or Grub
 

Did you install lilo of grub, and did you install it to the mbr and set the partition too bootable? It sounds like either the partition that lilo or grub is on is not flagged bootable.

You can also try and boot the partition to make sure slackware installed correctly by booting it from the cd.

And DON'T FORGET :
NEVER USE REISERFS V3 ON BOTH HOST AND GUEST. You will simply corrupt the host file system and lose data one by one.

Installed Lilo to the superblock. The root partition was flagged bootable in cfdisk. Is that a not good idea anymore? I've not used Slackware since 9.

Have not tried to reboot the CD yet and see if I can find the virtual drives. I'll try to get back to that soon.

Thanks for the response,

DAve

Haven't installed to virtual drives yet.
 

I would try booting it with the live cd first. If that doesn't work might try booting the live cd, mounting the system from there and chrooting to re-install lilo or grub( mainly to make sure we are not recovering a botched install ;) ).

Another option would be to remove the current boot flag and set the superblock bootable (if possible). Haven't tried that but if it doesn't work might look into chainloading it.

Should be getting the bootloader screen at least on bootup though.

That got me where I need to be, I am ssh in and configuring. Thanks for the kick start on my brain.

DAve

Anytime
 

Happy to help :).