Easy way to install Slackware 10 on SATA hard drive

Swift&Smart · 12-18-2004, 05:19 AM

Hello all!

I have just bought a new PC configured as follows:
Dell PowerEdge 420
-P4 2.8GHZ with Hyper-Threading
-Intel Chipset E7221
-80G Maxtor hard drive (SATA)
-512MB DDR2 RAM wtih ECC

I introduce as it is because it's more than enough to tell you my problem.I have downloaded Slackware 10 and inserted in the CD-ROM drive.However,it apparently can't detect the SATA hard drive.I have searched this forum and use the ISO image provided by the mate here.Unfortunately,it doesn't work.

Frankly,I chose Slackware because it is ideal for Server.I really feel disappointed about the latest Slackware ISO image doesn't support SATA hard drive.....

Any ideas from you guys?Is there any straight-forward solutions for me to install Slackware on SATA hard drive?Or I have to switch to other Linux distribution which supports SATA?e.g. Fedora.

Don't get me wrong,I use Slackware because I love Slackware.But most of the computers nowadays have SATA hard drive.Isn't it inconvenient to load this and load that before installing Slackware?

Your feedback is appreciated!

Bruce Hill · 12-18-2004, 07:42 AM

To save repeating information, check this HCL link

You'll find a link to d/l a Slack-10.0 CD with a SATA kernel. To my
knowledge there isn't one at Slackware, yet. However, if you want
to use a bootdisk, Slack does have one for the 2.4.27 kernel, and
by now, maybe for others. There is also a link to Slack-current for
that bootdisk.

There are two important things for using the CD you make with that
iso image. First, when you partition the drive with cfdisk you must
issue "cfdisk /dev/sda" or you'll get an error message. Second,
when it asks you which kernel to use, I had to pick one from CD
and get the sata.i again, even though it defaults to that with the
CD made from Brady's iso image that I've linked.

If you have that iso image and you're having problems, then you
probably only need to issue "cfdisk /dev/sda" for it to find the
drive and partition it.

Need any more help, just ask...

SlackerLX · 12-18-2004, 07:56 AM

before running setup on install disk you must partition your drive.
fdisk or cfdisk are prompted for your convenience.
I'd go for cfdisk and choose device. on my box it is /dev/sda

As matter of fact I have my slack installed on sda not to interfere with my BSD

SlackerLX · 12-18-2004, 07:42 PM

Yet another way to install on SATA Drive is custom Kernel "sata.i" from bootdisk located at:
ftp://ftp.slackware.com/pub/slackwar...ent/bootdisks/

jong357 · 12-19-2004, 09:27 AM

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...hreadid=262367

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...hreadid=187301

or

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...5&pagenumber=1

Swift&Smart · 12-20-2004, 09:25 AM

Thank you for all the important feedback from you guys.I fixed the problem by downloading the ISO which provided by one of the members in LQ.And it works right now.

However,I have another question.

Slackware can't automatically shut down my computer after I issued "shutdown -h now".It stops at Power Down.I am afraid that would be hazardous to my computer if I shut it down manually everytime...

Please suggest.

Bruce Hill · 12-20-2004, 10:08 AM

When it says Power Down all the processes have stopped and
the drives are unmounted. It is say to turn it off. However, if
you want the computer to actually "turn off" as you're used to
in Windoze, and as it should, follow these instructions. You will
have to issue "poweroff" as root.

Code:

Enable Power-off
The ability to "Power off" your computer via software requires your motherboard BIOS to support it. So, in that event, ensure it is enabled in your BIOS, then 
uncomment the apm line in /etc/rc.d/rc.modules, and place the command apm=power-off in /etc/lilo.conf.

    Ensure BIOS Power Management is enabled.

    Line 44 of /etc/rc.d/rc.modules (Slackware 10.0) should read:
    /sbin/modprobe apm
    rather than
    #/sbin/modprobe apm
    so you must uncomment it (remove the #)

    In /etc/lilo.conf you should have the apm call, for example, in my system it reads:
    # Start LILO global section
    restricted
    append="apm=power-off" 

Now you can issue the command poweroff and Slackware will power off your computer.

SlackerLX · 12-20-2004, 12:46 PM

I know it's not my business, but couple of years ago I was working for INTEL. What I picked from manufacturers that it is not healthy to shut down a box at all!

They say that every chip on your mobo needs certain temperature. It take some time for box to get there.
So, closing your box and opening again after some amount of time is like a termic shower for these chips, which, of course made, as you know, of ceramics.
I, therefore never shut my box at all, only in cases if absolutely necessary