Hi,

Here is my problem. When i tried to install redhat 9.0 linux on my 160gb maxtor drive for a dual-boot with window xp pro. I reached the installation part which they asked to automatically or manually partition with DiskDruid. Either one I choose, I get the error:

"The partition table on device hda was unreadable. To create new partitions it must be initialized, causing the loss of ALL DATA on this drive."

i thought it was caused by maxtor software using OnTrack dynamic drive overlay (ddo) to support my 160gb drive so linux was unable to read it but i read online that linux can detect ddo and would be able to read the table.

Here is my system
160gb maxtor drive with OnTrack ddo.
Phoenix - AwardBios v6.0
The AwardBios detected that i have a maxtor drive with a capacity of 32gb.

partitions
42 gb - NTFS Windows Xp Pro
83 gb - FAT32
26 gb - free space for linux

QUESTION - Is there another way to support the 160gb drive without dynamic drive overlay?

QUESTION - My Window xp is able to see all the partitions on the drive. Would my partition table be damage somehow that linux cant read it?

I also thought about putting linux on a different 20gb harddisk then dual booting it. When i reached the part of the linux installation for which boot loader to use GURO or LILO on /dev/hda MBR or /dev/hdb/boot partition. It doesnt detect my window xp on the 160gb drive at all.

QUESTION - Is there a way to dual boot this somehow? Can I install the bootloader in the /dev/hdb boot partition and dual boot with window xp somehow?


Any help, suggestions, comments or even a smile would be great ? Thank you!

niceCAN

:-)




















you can add lilo or grub to /dev/hda mbr or you can add it to the root of your linux drive...or anywhere else that it gives you the option of and use XPs boot manager to chainload to it, however i suggest putting it on /dev/hda mbr then simply adding a windows entry to lilo, search the forums on how to do this linux does not have to see windows in order to boot to it, and once you have linux up and working then we can deal with getting it to see windows correctly

linux not being able to correctly see the 160 drive could be caused by the DDO.

As the other post suggested configure XP's bootloader for linux.
http://www.geocities.com/epark/linux...w2k-HOWTO.html

Did you try to write the bootloader to the MBR of the 160gb drive?