I'm running a new SuSE installation on a Dell Precision Workstation (model 470).

I'm trying to install SLES 9 SP3.

The installation runs normal until the reboot required before it starts the setup for additional accounts, etc. The machine shuts down, reboots, but never comes up.

If I install SUSE Linux 10.0 it runs without a hitch.

I suspect that it's the SATA controller (Intel 82801EB Ultra ATA controller).

My questions are:

1. Is there a way to pass an argument for the additional driver/modules needed?

2. How do I ascertain all the drivers that might be needed? On the SUSE Linux 10 installation, the hwinfo output shows as info.linux.driver='ata_piix' for the controller. Is there anything else needed?

Many thanks in advance.

Regards,

JB

I used to have a problem with SUSE 9.0 and Intel S-ATA controller as well. I solved it by booting with the kernel parameter APIC set.

abisko,

Thanks for the reply.

Two questions if you don't mind:

1. How do I pass the parameter? Can you provide the full syntax?
2. I believe that the root cause of my problem is that I need to add ata_piix and piix to the INITRD_MODULES parameter in /etc/sysconfig/kernel and then run mkinitrd. The problem is that this is the First install and the installation never completes successfully. Thus, I have an unusable machine. Is there a way that I can pass these modules as arguments during the installation?

Thanks again.

JB

1. First, just type APIC on the grub menu screen, later, add it to /boot/grub/menu.lst
2. You could try insmod=ata_piix just like the APIC parameter

I tried the APIC entry through GRUB to no avail.

However, some good news. I managed to complete the installation. I had to use the first drive (/dev/sda) and I had to make sure that /boot was on /dev/sda1. If I meet those conditions the SLES 9 SP3 installation on a Dell Precision 470 with SATA disks (and the Intel controller) will work.

SUSE Linux 10 will install on any disk with no problem whatsoever.