MEPIS Live CD won't boot

mos · 07-02-2005, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ctkroeker
I had a problem with Mepis as well, when it asked me for the password, wich is root or demo. I tried both, I tried leaving it blank and still nothing.

the password is the same as the username

hoe · 07-02-2005, 05:52 PM

I'm not a tech but was just wondering what would happen if you loaded what ever OS you are using then put the CD into the drive and copy all the files to the hard drive and replace Grub with a different version from whatever distro and then burn the files to a new CD.

Wayne

isd2301 · 07-02-2005, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by hoe
I'm not a tech but was just wondering what would happen if you loaded what ever OS you are using then put the CD into the drive and copy all the files to the hard drive and replace Grub with a different version from whatever distro and then burn the files to a new CD.

Wayne

You have the right idea but it gets a little more involved I'm afraid. You would have to write the files and any modfications as an iso image first. In my previous posts I did not see a need to mention that the actual raw cd boot is executed in iso boot 'tracks' saved in the downloaded iso image file. When you burn the image cd correctly, these tracks are extracted to the cd along with the working files. This is why you have to extract and burn the live cd or bootable distro as an iso image burn and can't just extract the files through an RPM package installation or direct copy. The current internationally recognized iso image standard is ISO-9660. It performs the same basic function as a boot formatted hard drive or floppy disk. Without these boot 'tracks' the cd appears as a non-bootable random data cd as far as the bios is concerned. This iso boot info however has very little to do with how the software being installed will function or even what the software is. It only dictates how the files are laid out on the cd. In short, the iso9660 format is an internationally recognized cross-platform formatting standard.

ntworkMikey · 07-11-2005, 11:55 PM

Soory for such a long vacation. I downloaded Mepis 2004.06 and the same problem persists ie I only receive the grub prompt. So now I am going to install Smart Boot manager; however, I am wondering how to go about this. I have a dual boot laptop with Win XP & Mandrake 10. LILO is installed in the MBR. Does this mean I need to nuke my Mandrake install ?? Or should I update Mandrake and choose to install LILO on hda5 /. If so where on / ?? I hate to mess with the HDD any more than I must to get MEPIS up & running.

If someone has done this type of operation, please let me know which way is the best way to proceed. If no one has done this then I'll get my chain mail armor and go to work>

Thanks all !!