Slackware 12 USB boot does not work

borbacle · 08-08-2007, 01:08 PM

<< REMOVED >> - better information next entry.

borbacle · 08-08-2007, 01:39 PM

Here we go ...

#################
## /boot ##
#################
total 16616
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 37 2007-08-05 04:12 README.initrd -> /usr/doc/mkinitrd-1.1.2/README.initrd
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 32 2007-08-05 04:24 System.map -> System.map-huge-smp-2.6.21.5-smp
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 795880 2007-06-19 16:18 System.map-generic-2.6.21.5
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 813610 2007-06-19 15:53 System.map-generic-smp-2.6.21.5-smp
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 1232918 2007-06-19 16:23 System.map-huge-2.6.21.5
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 1252098 2007-06-19 15:58 System.map-huge-smp-2.6.21.5-smp
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 28 2007-08-05 04:24 config -> config-huge-smp-2.6.21.5-smp
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 72738 2007-06-19 16:18 config-generic-2.6.21.5
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 72764 2007-06-19 15:53 config-generic-smp-2.6.21.5-smp
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 72643 2007-06-19 16:23 config-huge-2.6.21.5
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 72669 2007-06-19 15:58 config-huge-smp-2.6.21.5-smp
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 5040 2007-06-10 02:09 diag1.img
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 29 2007-08-05 04:24 vmlinuz -> vmlinuz-huge-smp-2.6.21.5-smp
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 1937944 2007-06-19 16:18 vmlinuz-generic-2.6.21.5
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 2087960 2007-06-19 15:53 vmlinuz-generic-smp-2.6.21.5-smp
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 4097784 2007-06-19 16:23 vmlinuz-huge-2.6.21.5
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 4417112 2007-06-19 15:58 vmlinuz-huge-smp-2.6.21.5-smp

#################
##END OF /boot ##
#################

###################################
## /pktools thumb contents & cfg ##
###################################

total 4352
-rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 653 2007-08-08 07:32 f1.txt*
-r-xr-xr-x 1 root root 10092 2007-08-08 07:32 ldlinux.sys*
-rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 685 2007-08-08 07:32 message.txt*
-rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 234 2007-08-08 07:32 syslinux.cfg*
-rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 4417112 2007-08-08 07:32 vmlinuz*

default vmlinuz root=/dev/hda7 vga=normal ro
prompt 1
timeout 6000
display message.txt
F1 f1.txt
F2 message.txt
#F3 f3.txt
#F4 f4.txt
#F5 f5.txt
#F6 f6.txt
#F7 f7.txt
label mount
kernel vmlinuz
append root=/dev/hda7 vga=normal ro

##########################################
## END OF /pktools thumb contents & cfg ##
##########################################

##########################################
## dd if=... thumb contents & cfg ##
##########################################

total 23356
-rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 793 2007-06-30 19:56 f2.txt*
-rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 4097784 2007-06-30 19:56 huge.s*
-rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 4417112 2007-06-30 19:56 hugesmp.s*
-rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 11187052 2007-06-30 19:56 initrd.img*
-rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 10932 2007-06-30 19:56 isolinux.bin*
-r-xr-xr-x 1 root root 10092 2007-06-30 19:56 ldlinux.sys*
-rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 758 2007-06-30 19:56 message.txt*
-rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 2823 2007-06-30 19:56 setpkg*
-rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 4126360 2007-06-30 19:56 speakup.s*
-rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 436 2007-06-30 19:56 syslinux.cfg*

default hugesmp.s
prompt 1
timeout 1200
display message.txt
F1 message.txt
F2 f2.txt
label huge.s
kernel huge.s
append initrd=initrd.img load_ramdisk=1 prompt_ramdisk=0 rw SLACK_KERNEL=huge.s
label hugesmp.s
kernel hugesmp.s
append initrd=initrd.img load_ramdisk=1 prompt_ramdisk=0 rw SLACK_KERNEL=hugesmp.s
label speakup.s
kernel speakup.s
append initrd=initrd.img load_ramdisk=1 prompt_ramdisk=0 rw SLACK_KERNEL=speakup.s

#################################################
## END OF dd if=... thumb contents & cfg ##
#################################################

In Brazilian Portuguese, "Muito obrigado" (many thanks)

onebuck · 08-08-2007, 02:42 PM

Hi,

Just a thought, did you enable the usb boot in the BIOS for the thinkpad? Boot order?

borbacle · 08-08-2007, 02:55 PM

To my understanding it is enabled. I can change order of devices to boot from and I have it listed on the "menu" where I go down to highlight the line and hit enter.

The thumb drive light flashs quickly and the error message "BOOT ERROR" pops up immediately.

Like I said, if I try with the thumb drive not prepared by slackware "pkgtools OR dd if=" the message changes to "DISK ERROR".

To me that means laptop sees both cases differently.

borbacle · 08-08-2007, 03:20 PM

Not sure if this could be the problem.

New info copied/pasted from

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/si...cid=MIGR-55269

Quote:
"IBM Rescue and Recovery with Rapid Restore - Boot from a USB hard disk drive fails from some non-IBM systems

Symptom
Boot from a USB hard disk drive fails from some non-IBM systems. During boot a blank screen or a message that the boot attempt failed is displayed.

Affected configuration
IBM systems supported by IBM Rescue and Recovery with Rapid Restore, running Microsoft Windows 2000 or XP, configured with IBM Rapid Restore Ultra

View the list of systems supported by IBM Rescue and Recovery with Rapid Restore.

Solution
IBM is not aware of any solution to this problem. "

============================================================================

IBM Rescue and Recovery with Rapid Restore - List of supported systems
Supported systems
ThinkPad A31, A31p
ThinkPad G40
ThinkPad R30, R31, R32, R40, R40e, R50, R50p
ThinkPad T23, T30, T40, T40p, T41, T41p, T42, T42p
ThinkPad X22, X23, X24, X30, X31, X40
ThinkCentre A30 (type 2296, 8191, 8198, 8199, 8316, 8434)
ThinkCentre A50 (type 8084, 8085, 8126, 8147, 8148, 8149, 8174, 8175, 8176, 8177, 8178, 8179, 8089, 8090, 8320, 8419)
ThinkCentre A50p (type 8192, 8193, 8194, 8195, 8196, 8197, 8432, 8433)
ThinkCentre A51 (type 8424, 8425, 8428)
ThinkCentre A51p (type 8420, 8421, 8422, 8423, 8426, 8427)
ThinkCentre M50 (type 8185, 8186, 8187, 8188, 8189, 8190, 8413, 8414, 8415, 8430, 8431)
ThinkCentre M51 (type 8141, 8142, 8143, 8144, 8145, 8146)
ThinkCentre S50 (type 8086, 8087, 8088, 8183, 8184, 8416, 8417, 8418, 8429)
ThinkCentre S51 (type 8171, 8172, 8173)
NetVista (type 2273, 2289, 2292, 6043, 6343, 6349, 6350, 6790, 6791, 6792, 6793, 6794, 6795, 6823, 6824, 6825, 6826, 8181, 8182, 8301, 8303, 8304, 8305, 8306, 8307, 8308, 8309, 8310, 8311, 8312, 8313, 8314, 8315, 8317, 8318, 8319)

borbacle · 08-08-2007, 03:50 PM

In my windows "add remove programs" I do have an entry for:

=> "IBM rescue and Recovery with Rapid Restore" size 37.89MB

I will remove this ???? and retry. Not sure if it will make any difference. I doubt anything installed under Win XP would affect "boot internals". Anyway, here I go.

Tks.

Road_map · 08-08-2007, 03:51 PM

I find this link:
Installation_from_USB_drive and T42 is in Supported Boot Devices.

borbacle · 08-08-2007, 09:58 PM

I had seen that page before.

I could not learn anything new to help solving the problem. I did the install of DSL in the pen drive and when I boot the laptop the error message is "BOOT FAILURE" instead of "BOOT ERROR" of Slackware.

borbacle · 08-10-2007, 07:15 AM

News ! Good and Bad ...

I took my Lexar thumb drive initialized by Slackware 12 boot process (process repeated at least 20 times over the last 2 weeks)

When I try to boot:

(a) THINKPAD T42
-> F12 -> CHOOSE USB DEVICE OPTION -> "BOOT ERROR"

(b) TOSHIBA A105-S4224
-> F12 -> CHOOSE USB OPTION -> "Immediately brings Slackware boot process"

I have tried as well another linux version DSL using thumb drive in my Thinkpad T42 and the error message was "BOOT FAILURE".

Conclusion
==========

Thinkpad T42 boot process through USB is not functional for some reason. I am an IBM employee and I will open a case with Lenovo/IBM to see what they have to say.

When I hear back from them I will post the answer on this thread.

I took the same Thumb Drive loaded with Slackware boot stuff I had been trying to boot my Thinkpad T42 without success for about 2 weecreated many times

Fullerene · 08-10-2007, 04:59 PM

Hi Borbacle, Hi All,

First off, thank you to everyone for posting.

I have a Kingston Datatraveler 1GB flash drive which is prepared for USB installation of Debian Etch using the latest AMD64 NetInst image.

I tested that this drive is bootable into a Toshiba C200. Quite nifty.

However, I've got a Thinkpad R60, using which I am unable to boot into this USB drive. I see Borbacle's "Boot Error" message in the top, left-hand corner of the screen. Nothing happens thereafter.

This correlates with your conclusion that the issue is not with our flash drives, but rather with our Thinkpads. It's troubling that it's not model-specific -- I wonder how many generations are affected.

I was on the phone with Lenovo technical support this afternoon. They determined that it's a software problem. Thus, they wanted $125 for me to even speak to a technical support representative. My response, "I'll think about it." Maybe you will have more luck than me.

Partners in predicament,

Fullerene

onebuck · 08-11-2007, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fullerene

Hi Borbacle, Hi All,

First off, thank you to everyone for posting.

I have a Kingston Datatraveler 1GB flash drive which is prepared for USB installation of Debian Etch using the latest AMD64 NetInst image.

I tested that this drive is bootable into a Toshiba C200. Quite nifty.

However, I've got a Thinkpad R60, using which I am unable to boot into this USB drive. I see Borbacle's "Boot Error" message in the top, left-hand corner of the screen. Nothing happens thereafter.

This correlates with your conclusion that the issue is not with our flash drives, but rather with our Thinkpads. It's troubling that it's not model-specific -- I wonder how many generations are affected.

I was on the phone with Lenovo technical support this afternoon. They determined that it's a software problem. Thus, they wanted $125 for me to even speak to a technical support representative. My response, "I'll think about it." Maybe you will have more luck than me.

Partners in predicament,

Fullerene

Hi,

By chance does your thinkpad have a floppy drive? If so you could try the sbootmgr to see if alternate boot devices are seen.

Fullerene · 08-11-2007, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onebuck

Hi,

By chance does your thinkpad have a floppy drive? If so you could try the sbootmgr to see if alternate boot devices are seen.

Hi Onebuck,

Unfortunately, no. I do not own a USB floppy or any other floppy that might work with my Thinkpad. But, you do pose an interesting question -- is this problem only affecting USB mass storage devices?

A floppy would work, though until now I never thought to buy a drive for my laptop. A USB CD drive might work, too. They're more expensive, but they are also more useful. Offhand, I don't know anyone who owns one, including myself, but I can ask around to see if I can borrow one for an evening or weekend.

Your idea has is very promising. I like it. Thank you.

Fullerene

Gordie · 08-17-2007, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by borbacle

Hi there,

I'm not new to unix, but new in trying to have unix in my laptop without messing with dual boots.

Slackware 12 USB is what I want and it is not working for me.

In bullet points this is what I have:
Laptop Thinkpad with 80GB that has USB boot option
- C: /fat-c windows
- D: /fat-d windows
- /dev/hda6 swap
- /dev/hda7 /
- /dev/hda8 /usr/local
- /dev/sda lexar thumb drive 1GB

I have successfully installed and played with Slackware and everything works.

It boots perfectly using Slackware DVD as startup and choosing root=/dev/hda7 (where I have it installed) .

I have followed 10 times the easy instructions to create USB bootable drive from SETUP & from Slackware DVD usb folder.

Problem is when I choose boot from USB I always get the message => "BOOT ERROR"

I have tried a second Thumb drive just in case. Same problem.

I see 24MB of files on the thumb drive. Everything looks fine. (syslinux.cfg, image, and all ...)

I searched forums for hours and could not find answer for such a simple error.

Any help?

Tks.

Borba.

Hi,

I had much the same problem. Did lots of searching and found my answer here.
http://www.mayrhofer.eu.org/Default....ex=6&pageid=45
Have a 2 Gig flashdrive with CD #1 rescue disk and the install files from CD #1 & 2 and also the 'book' from the NET so I can make a full install from the flashdrive.

Seems the problem in my case was that the flashdrive would format without making a 'boot sector' and so would have all the files needed but would throw an error.

Hope this helps.

borbacle · 08-22-2007, 09:53 AM

Hi,

Gordie, thanks for the info. I don't think I have a problem with the creation of a bootable USB once it works to boot slackware in a Toshiba laptop but it fails in IBM Thinkpad. The problem seems to be with THINKPAD laptops.

I tried with three Thinkpads, different models (one being a brand new Thinkpad Tablet) and all three failed.

I have had no time to speak with IBM customer service which I will. I work for IBM Company. I want an answer.

Thanks.

Borba

>Hi ,
>
>I had much the same problem. Did lots of searching and found my answer here.
>http://www.mayrhofer.eu.org/Default....ex=6&pageid=45
>Have a 2 Gig flashdrive with CD #1 rescue disk and the install files from CD #1 & 2 and >also the 'book' from the NET so I can make a full install from the flashdrive.
>
>Seems the problem in my case was that the flashdrive would format without making a 'boot >sector' and so would have all the files needed but would throw an error.

Hope this helps.

Tyrell66 · 08-27-2010, 01:36 AM

Hi Borbacle.

We have R60 as our corporate laptop. Until recently, I used it to boot a LiveUSB of Mint (or Ubuntu before). But the disk crashed, so it was replaced by another one (same model, 9462-CTO).
And with the new, I have the message "Boot Error" when I try to boot on my LiveUSB. I flashed the BIOS to the latest available (2.23, same as my previous R60). I even recreated my LiveUSB, but it's still failing.
FYI, I can boot my LiveUSB on other HW.

Do you have more info since your last post of 2007 ?

It would be nice to have a cause/resolution for this problem...

Cheers,
Tyrell66