Slack 11 won't boot the right partition

OtisLinux · 10-26-2006, 12:04 PM

I am trying to install Slackware 11, I have partitioned my harddrive so that there is a 512mb swap and the rest is for /.
I am dual booting, I already have WINDOWS XP PRO installed.
The problem is when I try to enter the setup it is entering the setup under /dev/sda3...when my linux partitions are /dev/sda7. So it wont recognize that I have linux partitions. When I do:
fdisk -l I get:

Code:

 Device  Boot    ...
/dev/sda1        -----
/dev/sda2        -----
/dev/sda3 *      -----
/dev/sda5        -----  
/dev/sda6        ----- 
/dev/sda7        -----

How do I get it to boot the correct /dev/sda?

Thanks

SCerovec · 10-27-2006, 02:47 AM

why don't you post like this:

Code:

sda1 WinXP
sda2 shared-data
sda3 extended part
  sda6 swap
  sda7 slackware

?
Then it would be oviuos for us what You have at the layout...
What kind of 'setup' are you writing about?
Did you mean the slacks boot-loader or the root partition (holding /boot/*)
Why is this confusing you?
Where did you install the boot-loader : MBR, root-partition, floppy ?
What is you bootable partition:
it seems to be sda3
This is where your bootloader belongs to...
What it your system-holding partition (the /), it seems to be sda7
That's where your kernel image resides and waits to be booted...

I prefer to put lilo on MBR and use:

Code:

hda1 * win9x
hda2   ext'd
  hda5   winXP
  hda6   media
  hda7   linux-root
  hda8   swap
  hda9   home

and install boot-loadera allways to MBR so it does not matther what partition is active, except for wins, but bootloader makes them active diring boot...

duryodhan · 10-27-2006, 07:32 AM

sda7 is a logical partition where as what you need to install Slackware is a primary partition.
So make either of sda1,2,3,4 a EXT2 partition with fdisk.
Then Install

CAUTION FDISK can cause lots of pain you know where

better do following in console if you are unsure.
%>fdisk /dev/sda

then type 'p' in next input.

and show the output here.

onebuck · 10-27-2006, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OtisLinux

I am trying to install Slackware 11, I have partitioned my harddrive so that there is a 512mb swap and the rest is for /.
I am dual booting, I already have WINDOWS XP PRO installed.
The problem is when I try to enter the setup it is entering the setup under /dev/sda3...when my linux partitions are /dev/sda7. So it wont recognize that I have linux partitions. When I do:
fdisk -l I get:

Code:

 Device  Boot    ...
/dev/sda1        -----
/dev/sda2        -----
/dev/sda3 *      -----
/dev/sda5        -----  
/dev/sda6        ----- 
/dev/sda7        -----

How do I get it to boot the correct /dev/sda?

Thanks

Hi,

The correct output for my ide device from 'fdisk -l'

Code:

 fdisk -l

Disk /dev/hda: 40.0 GB, 40007761920 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 4864 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes

   Device Boot      Start         End      Blocks   Id  System
/dev/hda1   *           1         499     4008186    c  W95 FAT32 (LBA)
/dev/hda2             500         561      498015   82  Linux swap
/dev/hda3             562         811     2008125   83  Linux
/dev/hda4             812        4864    32555722+   5  Extended
/dev/hda5             812        1061     2008093+  83  Linux
/dev/hda6            1062        1438     3028221   83  Linux
/dev/hda7            1439        1563     1004031   83  Linux
/dev/hda8            1564        2062     4008186   83  Linux

Your output seems edited for /dev/sda. To assist you, the posted data should not be edited. Even though the above output is for my /dev/hda, anyone can see how the partitions are layed out.

You don't have to have the partition marked as boot(active) for lilo to load your image. If your root is on /dev/sda7 then use the install cd1 to boot;

Code:

<kernel> root=/dev/sda7 noinitrd ro   #<kernel> could be sata.i

You should read 'How to Ask Questions the Smart Way' to now how and what to ask in order to get a response. When presenting a problem or question to a forum, you need to provide relevant information, i.e; kernel, system hardware, etc.
The etc. is a big one! This could include configuration files, outputs from commands, relevant error messages ...

SCerovec · 10-28-2006, 05:31 AM

@OtisLinux
You do use the gnu fdisk, not the dos fdisk? right?

OtisLinux · 10-28-2006, 12:48 PM

OK sorry it has takin so long for me to respond, heres what I have

Code:

Device   Boot    Start     End     Blocks     Id  System
/dev/sda1           1       1       7528+      7  HPFS/NTFS         
/dev/sda2           2     6841   51710400      f  W95 Ext'd (LBA)
/dev/sda3  *     6842     7753    6894720      7  HPFS/NTFS     
/dev/sda5           2     4064  30716248+      7  HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda6        4065     4133    521608+      e  W95 FAT16 (LBA)   
/dev/sda7        4134     4841  20472448+      e  W95 FAT16 (LBA)

BUT I already did the following:
cfdisk /dev/sda7
made 2 partitions both primary one a linux swap(82) and one Linux(83), then made the Linux partition bootable.

titopoquito · 10-29-2006, 03:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OtisLinux

OK sorry it has takin so long for me to respond, heres what I have

Code:

Device   Boot    Start     End     Blocks     Id  System
/dev/sda1           1       1       7528+      7  HPFS/NTFS         
/dev/sda2           2     6841   51710400      f  W95 Ext'd (LBA)
/dev/sda3  *     6842     7753    6894720      7  HPFS/NTFS     
/dev/sda5           2     4064  30716248+      7  HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda6        4065     4133    521608+      e  W95 FAT16 (LBA)   
/dev/sda7        4134     4841  20472448+      e  W95 FAT16 (LBA)

BUT I already did the following:
cfdisk /dev/sda7
made 2 partitions both primary one a linux swap(82) and one Linux(83), then made the Linux partition bootable.

I cannot say exactly what you did, but something has gone wrong. First, none of the partitions is marked as "Linux" or "Linux swap". You wrote you did "cfdisk /dev/sda7" -- you can't do that with a single partition. cfdisk is invoked with a harddisk as parameter, not a partition, so "cfdisk /dev/sda" would be the right one.
Contrary to duryodhan I don't think you need a primary partition for Slackware.
Start "cfdisk /dev/sda" (if sda is right). It sounds like the /dev/sda7 partition can be deleted? If you're sure, mark it in cfdisk, move with the arrow keys to "Delete" and type Return. Mark the free space shown at the bottom of the partitions list, choose "New" or "Create" (sorry, I have the German locale running, one of them shoudl be shown). Type in its size, then your Linux partition should be created. Do that again, move to free space ... after creating the second one move with arrow keys to "Type". Type once return if you get the list of partition types that are available. Here "82" for Linux swap is selected and I just have to type Return. Else type 82 in yourself. After that your output should read something like (* can mean anything)

Code:

Device   Boot    Start     End     Blocks     Id  System
/dev/sda1           1       1       7528+      7  HPFS/NTFS         
/dev/sda2           2     6841   51710400      f  W95 Ext'd (LBA)
/dev/sda3  *     6842     7753    6894720      7  HPFS/NTFS     
/dev/sda5           2     4064  30716248+      7  HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda6        4065     4133    521608+      e  W95 FAT16 (LBA)   
/dev/sda7        4134     ****  18472448+     83  Linux
/dev/sda8        ****     ****     489951     82  Linux Swap

Make sure /dev/sda7 can safely be deleted before you do the above steps.

duryodhan · 10-29-2006, 08:38 AM

"You need to make sure you create primary partitions"
from http://www.slackbook.org/html/instal...titioning.html

I am just following what THE book says. If that isn't true.. why does the book say so?

Dont get me wrong , I am just a noob trying to learn.

duryodhan · 10-29-2006, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OtisLinux

OK sorry it has takin so long for me to respond, heres what I have

Code:

Device   Boot    Start     End     Blocks     Id  System
/dev/sda1           1       1       7528+      7  HPFS/NTFS         
/dev/sda2           2     6841   51710400      f  W95 Ext'd (LBA)
/dev/sda3  *     6842     7753    6894720      7  HPFS/NTFS     
/dev/sda5           2     4064  30716248+      7  HPFS/NTFS
/dev/sda6        4065     4133    521608+      e  W95 FAT16 (LBA)   
/dev/sda7        4134     4841  20472448+      e  W95 FAT16 (LBA)

BUT I already did the following:
cfdisk /dev/sda7
made 2 partitions both primary one a linux swap(82) and one Linux(83), then made the Linux partition bootable.

Your sda7 doesn't end at the right place I guess you have made a partition there. Basically I think you have really screwed things up.

I think you were trying to use sda3. But it is still NTFS.. do
%fdisk /dev/sda
and then change id of partition number 3 to EXT2
Also create a new extended partition from 4842 to 6841 as swap.
Write everything and Now run setup it should auto detect.

Note : I am assuming you dont have imp data on those partitions. You will lose ALL data so better backup.

titopoquito · 10-29-2006, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duryodhan

"You need to make sure you create primary partitions"
from http://www.slackbook.org/html/instal...titioning.html

I am just following what THE book says. If that isn't true.. why does the book say so?

Dont get me wrong , I am just a noob trying to learn.

No offense intended. I had Slack 10.2 installed on a logical partition and had never any problems with that setup. Don't know why the book states so or under which circumstances that might be true.

OtisLinux · 10-29-2006, 10:49 AM

I have two partitions already, 1 with Windows XP backup, and the meat of my memory allocated to XP Pro that is already installed. I don't want to have to wipe everything. The /dev/sda3 I believe is the XP backup...The /dev/sda5 is my main XP pro partition.

titopoquito · 10-29-2006, 11:24 AM

You don't have to wipe everything but must identify which ones you can safely delete. From your fdisk output I guess that you may have intended sda6 as swap space and sda7 as linux partition? Only you can tell which ones you created, but the FAT16 type seems to make no sense if you have Windows XP installed. AFAIK it doesn't even give you the choice to create FAT32 partitions anymore.
If you remember which partitions you intended for Linux, just fire up cfdisk and change the types (83 for Linux, 82 for Linux swap).

OtisLinux · 10-29-2006, 01:54 PM

Yeah thats the wierd part, I'll fire up cfdisk /dev/sda7 and its broken down into 2 partitions LINUX and LINUX SWAP

titopoquito · 10-29-2006, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OtisLinux

Yeah thats the wierd part, I'll fire up cfdisk /dev/sda7 and its broken down into 2 partitions LINUX and LINUX SWAP

No, not "cfdisk /dev/sda7", that won't work but break things. If you are sure this can be deleted start "cfdisk /dev/sda" and do it

, then create two new ones.

OtisLinux · 10-29-2006, 03:03 PM

wellll there we have it... thanks all
after doing cfdisk /dev/sda ! it worked just fine... i was trying to do /dev/sda7
thanks again