recompile huge.s before install on Slackware64

Alkisx · 10-08-2009, 08:02 AM

I want to enable gpt for partitioning because the huge.s if I am not wrong has it disabled.

Is it possible to recompile the huge.s adding gpt support, and then make the same slackware dvd with the only change being that on that kernel?

I currently don't have a slackware64 anywhere installed, so if it cat be done, can I do it by booting from the dvd ( and recompiling the huge.s)?

or any other way to make slackware see gpt partitions?

allend · 10-08-2009, 10:07 AM

Warning! I have no experience with this.
However, on my Slackware64 system

Code:

cd /usr/linux/src/
grep EFI .config

gives:

Quote:

# CONFIG_EFI is not set
# CONFIG_EFI_PARTITION is not set

so kernel support is not enabled by default in Slackware64.
I think that you will have to install Slackware64 elsewhere and build a custom kernel for use with the Slackware64 installer, then make a custom install DVD. I do not know of a way of doing this from the standard DVD distribution.
This link gives useful information.
http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/li...gpt/index.html
Note that the use of GRUB is likely to be necessary.

Alkisx · 10-08-2009, 12:26 PM

Thank you for your reply,

It seems that the only way is the one you said. This was also what I thought to do.

I will install it to a system I have for tests, and recreate the huge.s.

I don't understand why the don't have it enabled on the slackware dvd. This is 2009. It is very possible that one will need raid with large storage partitions.

Anyway, thanks again.

Alkisx · 10-14-2009, 08:25 AM

unfortunately this did not work.

I made a simple installation on the same server, recompiled the kernel, then replaced the bzImage,System.map.gz and config with the new (on a copy of all the dvd that I made on a folder), and the using mkisofs and growisofs created the same dvd with the above modifiations.

The dvd booted normally, got in as root, but still no gpt partitions where seen. Maybe as someone said, slackware's setup is using fdisk, and fdisk does not recognise gpt.

So, I am thinking of making a manual install. Any other thought?

Alkisx · 10-14-2009, 08:47 AM

Something very interesting I've noticed:

Booting with the original slackware dvd, I could not mkfs on gpt paritions. It looked like it was doing it, but taking almost for ever, and at the end destroying my gpt (It was finding too many nodes to do it).

But, booting with my modified huge kernel, mkfs worked perfect. I think my compiled kernel did enabled gpt support. If I could find a way to make setup use parted instead of fdisk to search for partitions.

Maybe something on the setup scripts? I have no knowledge of this specific matter, if anyone could help me and is possible, maybe we could make a tutorial on instaling slackware with gpt!

And maybe provide also the modified dvd available for download and ready for install. That would be very nice for anyone who wishes to install slackware with big partitions the same way he does it now.

Alkisx · 10-23-2009, 04:07 AM

I finally got it done. I have installed it, by using my modified kernel boot dvd, and making a manual install.

I then recompiled the kernel on the system, installed and configured grub, and there it goes! No problems or errors at this stage!

I will soon return on a howto to explain how it was done. Check also a new thread I opened on this case, if we could help others:

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...cedure-763910/

pooryorick · 11-06-2009, 06:34 PM

I am eagerly awaiting your howto. I want to install Slackware on a dual-boot Mac Pro, but since OS X + efi already takes up two of the 4 partitions available with MBR, it is problematic. I love Slackware, but with all the new hardware coming out, GPT support is imperative. I need Slackware on GPT partitions, and I need it tonight, damnit!

Alkisx · 11-23-2009, 01:33 PM

Sorry for the delay, a few days more, because I am really busy at work! I had to make this server a PDC with samba, and update the client pcs. Next week I will post the howto. Sorry for the delay but I can't find time right now.

So, next week!

Geriao · 12-19-2009, 05:56 PM

I'm curious about how you made your custom DVD... You put it on the /kernels/ folder (using the using the slackware-13.0/ from the ftp) after building it, and then burned the DVD with that new directory tree?

Alien Bob · 12-21-2009, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alkisx

unfortunately this did not work.

I made a simple installation on the same server, recompiled the kernel, then replaced the bzImage,System.map.gz and config with the new (on a copy of all the dvd that I made on a folder), and the using mkisofs and growisofs created the same dvd with the above modifiations.

The dvd booted normally, got in as root, but still no gpt partitions where seen. Maybe as someone said, slackware's setup is using fdisk, and fdisk does not recognise gpt.

So, I am thinking of making a manual install. Any other thought?

Slackware will probably filter out the GPT partitions from the partition selection dialog.

Can you post the output of a "fdisk -l" on your system with GPT partitions?

Eric

jong357 · 12-26-2009, 07:15 PM

I'm sitting in the same boat. Bought my girlfriend a new late 2009 iMac for X-mas and I'm trying to get Slack64 13.0 on it while she is working....

I'm going to use the built in chooser instead of refit so she'll never know...

Eric, Robby, Pat and the rest of the gang...... I'll do whatever I can to help you guys out on this one. I'll have to agree, we are moving into 2010 and GPT/EFI support in the installer would be extremely nice, nay, almost necessary at this point. Would be nice if the OP posted back with a guide. This is the only 64bit system in the house otherwise I'd make my own custom DVD as well. As mentioned, I'm sure the installer scripts need some work as well.

I used bootcamp under Snow leopard to create a 25gb partition and then booted up with the 64 bit DVD. Used parted to change the filesystem and Volume name of the 3rd partition. Ran setup and it gives me the "NO LINUX PARTITIONS DETECTED" blurb.

Code:

root@slackware:/# parted
GNU Parted 1.8.8
Using /dev/sda
Welcome to GNU Parted! Type 'help' to view a list of commands.
(parted) print
Model: ATA WDC WD5000AAKS-4 (scsi)
Disk /dev/sda: 500GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B
Partition Table: gpt

Number          Start          End          Size          File system    Name                     Flags
 1              20.5kB         210MB        210MB         fat32          EFI system partition     boot
 2              210MB          473GB        472GB         hfs+           Customer
 3              473GB          500GB        27.3GB        ext2           Linux

(parted)

Code:

root@slackware:/# fdisk -l
Disk /dev/sda: 500.1 GB, 500107862016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 60801 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x00000000

Device Boot           Start             End                Blocks       Id      System
/dev/sda1                1             60802              488386583+    ee      GPT
Note: sector size is 4096 (not 512)

Disk /dev/sdb: 3892 MB, 3892056064 bytes
38 heads, 42 sectors/track, 595 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 1596 * 4096 = 6537216 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x20202020

Device Boot        Start        End        Blocks    Id     System
/dev/sdb1           1           596        3800580    b      W95 FAT32
Partition 1 has different physical/logical beginnings (non-Linux?):
     phys=(0, 1, 1) logical=(0, 1, 22)
Partition 1 has different physical/logical endings:
     phys=(59, 37, 42) logical=(595, 13, 42)
root@slackware:/#

BTW, Looks like sdb1 might be an ipod... Also, the wireless keyboard is picked up rather nicely. Kudos. Was worried about that one.

jong357 · 12-31-2009, 10:56 PM

Well, I know it'll be atleast another year before the Slackware DVD will support GPT disks, if ever, so I went ahead and spent quite a few days writing and refining a script that will build your own Install DVD of sorts.

You have to manually install each package set but it's about as easy as using the Slackware installer TBH.... Quite the no brainer and I've left detailed instructions on how to do it as well. Both on the thread below and on the bootable DVD that contains all the packages.

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...5/#post3810506

Lots of GPT posts floating about now-a-days. I hope the Slackware team seriously considers the importance of updating the installer.