[SOLVED] My Slackware PC is "dead" after I used lilo and lilo.conf on the MBR

BryGuy · 07-20-2017, 05:58 PM

I was in the early stages of upgrading Slackware from 14.1 to slackware64-current. I installed a new kernel from my installation medium (a bootable USB flash stick, after Alien's advice in the directory "/usb-and-pxe-installers". But I wasn't booting from it, I was starting to do an incremental upgrade. Anyway, after creating a initrd.gz thanks to the mkinitrd_generator.sh script. I decided to install the new kernel, all seemed well.

I spent hours researching lilo.conf. Since this PC doesn't run anything but Linux, I decided to install lilo on the MBR of the only Hard Disk. After that, it was all downhill.

I couldn't go into the BIOS to pick another device to boot from, such as my USB stick. When the computer tried to boot, it was clear that I had flubbed the MBR. A blank screen greeted me, with just a blinking cursor line in the upper left corner. It is to all appearances, dead.

Can anyone relate? It seems I need to replace the MBR, but I can't even get to the BIOS setup. Any response would be gratefully appreciated.

astrogeek · 07-20-2017, 06:11 PM

Nothing you do with the installer should affect your ability to access the BIOS.

And to be clear, are you upgrading from Slackware-14.1 to Slackware64-current? You cannot do that "incrementally" (although you should elaborate what you mean by incrementally).

I would first figure out why you cannot access the BIOS which should not be related to the Slackware updates. It is possible that you have had a concidental hardware failure. Check all cables and mating connectors, etc.

It might also be helpful to others here if they knew the type of machine, manufacturer, model, CPU, etc.

BW-userx · 07-20-2017, 06:30 PM

if you are getting a blank (black) screen with a cursor blinking - your pc is NOT dead by no means.

try hitting that whatever button to get into your BIOS as soon as you turn it on. Like nano seconds after you hit that power button and keep pressing it or hitting it which ever works.

check all of your hardware connections, pull them and re plug them in even to insure a proper connection. etc..

frankbell · 07-20-2017, 09:54 PM

To expand on what BW-userx said, when your computer boots, during POST (power-on self test), look for a message that says "Press [some key] to enter setup." In this context, "setup" refers to the BIOS. The key to press is usually one of the function keys. I apologize if this is a "coals to New Castle" comment.

You can also boot to a Live CD of something or other or even to the Slackware installation disc, mount the hard drive, and inspect your LILO configuration and, if necessary, edit the /etc/lilo.conf file.

Afterthought: If your computer has "Fast Boot" enabled (I don't know if that's still a thing and I may be showing my age here), the "setup" message may flit by very quickly so that you'll have trouble catching it. Once you do, be sure to disable "Fast Boot." It's more trouble than it's worth.

Gordie · 07-21-2017, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BryGuy

I was in the early stages of upgrading Slackware from 14.1 to slackware64-current.

To be clear, did you update from 32-bit to 64-bit? Your post leaves me with that impression

ponce · 07-21-2017, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BryGuy

I was in the early stages of upgrading Slackware from 14.1 to slackware64-current.

also consider that upgrades are supported only from adiacent versions so, if you wish to upgrade a 14.1 installation to current, you should first upgrade it to 14.2 (reading the relative CHANGES_AND_HINTS.txt and UPGRADE.TXT) and after that you can upgrade it from 14.2 to current (still reading the relative two documents and following the hints in them).