Re: FC2 post-install hangs on dual boot system

From: Paul Lutus (nospam_at_nosite.zzz)
Date: 09/11/04

  • Next message: Bryce Jasmer: "Strange video problems with VirtualPC 2004" 
    Date: Sat, 11 Sep 2004 00:27:16 -0700

    Rainer Butsch wrote:

    > FC2 post-install hangs on dual boot system
    > (sorry for the long entry but I try to explain as much as possible).
    >
    > Problem:
    > ========
    > Setup Agent stalls and will not finish dual boot installation after
    > reboot.

    Cause:
    =====

    Amazingly complex setup that avoids addressing any of the classic dual-boot
    issues.

    >
    > Scenario:
    > =========
    > Trying to dual boot Windows XP Pro and Fedora Core 2 on a Dell Dimension
    > XPS Gen 2 PC with
    > - Intel motherboard, Pentium 4, 875 chip set,
    > - two SATA drives, one CD-ROM, one DVD drive,
    > - Video card: ATI Radeon 9800 XT.
    > - Monitor: Samsung SyncMaster 193P LCD.
    > - WinXP Pro came pre-installed on first SATA drive.
    >
    > BIOS drive info:
    > ================
    > SATA RAID -- On (although I do not use RAID)
    > Primary Master Drive -- Off

    Mistake. Explain why this drive position is empty.

    > Primary Slave Drive -- Off
    > Secondary Master Drive -- CD-ROM device (my CD drive)
    > Secondary Master Drive -- CD-ROM device (my DVD drive)

    You really have two secondary master drives?

    > IDE Drive UDMA -- On
    >
    > * Repartitioned system with PartitionMagic.
    > * Using WinXP Pro on first SATA drive (/dev/sda):
    > - Primary partition Drive C (active) as /dev/sda2 (/dev/sda1 is used by
    > Dell utility).
    > - Extended partition with logical drives D,E,F,G,H, as
    > /dev/sda5,6,7,8,9).
    > * Using Linux on 2nd SATA drive (/dev/sdb):
    > - Extended partition with logicals /boot, /, /usr, /home, /tmp, /var,
    > swap

    Oh, yeah, that's good. Make a whole bunch of partitions, leave the primary
    master partition empty, dual boot with Win XP that wants/needs to be in the
    primary master position, create a truly baroque setup that is bound to
    fail ... then feign surprise that it fails.

    Try this instead:

    1. Use the fewest practical number of partitions. On a single-drive end-user
    system, it is impossible to justify all those partitions. On a dual-drive
    system, it is still impossible to justify the number of partitions you are
    planning. They will simply reduce the reliability of your system -- that
    will be their only effect. Of course, if that is your true goal, you have
    succeeded -- the system won't even boot.

    2. Start by creating a totally conventional installation with Win XP either
    removed entirely or occupying the first partition in the primary master
    position, and Linux in an obvious, conventional location. Run Grub to sort
    out the dual-boot issues.

    3. Confirm that (1) and (2) produce the expected result.

    4. Avoid complex setups with dozens of partitions until you can eat, sleep
    and breathe Linux configuration issues. Once that is true, of course, you
    will have enough experience to avoid Balkanizing your drives up as you are
    doing. 

    -- 
Paul Lutus
http://www.arachnoid.com
  • Next message: Bryce Jasmer: "Strange video problems with VirtualPC 2004"

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