[wellylug] A "simple" install

Adam Bogacki afb at paradise.net.nz
Tue Jul 7 23:52:15 NZST 2009


> From: "Kingsley G. Morse Jr." <change at nas.com>
> Subject: Re: [wellylug] A "simple" install
.. snip .. 
> 
> 2.) You can always re-install. When I was learning
> linux, and debian, practicing re-installing gave
> me confidence that I could administer the box even
> if my horoscope said "kaboom".
> 
> 3.) Boot from a live CD, like sidux or knoppix,
> and experiment with chroot and different ways of
> re-installing grub.
.. snip ..
> From: Cliff Pratt <enkidu at cliffp.com>
> Subject: Re: [wellylug] A "simple" install

> What is the configuration of the machine? A single disk? A SATA disk?
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> Cliff

Hmm .. I have tried various things, including alternative installs,
but am a bit stumped at the moment.

In summary, I now have an install of debian-501-i386-netinst.iso
on my machine but cannot get into it. A simple boot ends with the
message

"GRUB Loading stage 1.5
GRUB loading please wait ...

Error 15"

Googling around by `Error 15` tells me that

"This error is returned if the specified filename cannot be
found but everything else (like the disk partition info) is OK."

My initial partition structure was

/dev/hda1   6 Gb   /
/dev/hda2  10Gb    /boot   [boot flag]
/dev/hda3  63.3Gb  /usr
/dev/hdb1 320 Gb  /home

(keeping it simple)

.. but it was suggested to me that /boot should be no more than
around 293Mb.

Resizing /dev/hda2 via the debian-501-i386-netnst.iso install 
process, I ended up with

/dev/hda1    6.00 Gb  /
/dev/hda2      293 Mb  /boot  [boot flag]
             9.3 Gb described as "unusable"
/dev/hda3   63.3 Gb   /usr
/dev/hdb1  320 Gb  /home

.. and unbootable with error 15.

There is one OS (deb lenny), but two kernels, hence grub.

I have been starting it with Super Grub Disk sgd_0.9528.iso - not
quite the latest but should be adequate .. without success.

I have installed the latest sgd onto usb, and also the 
grub 1.5 files from my other box, and copied them into
/boot/grub, with no success.

I have booted with gentoo-based System Rescue CD 2.6.16 in order to
get in and do the above, but no dice.

There might be something in Kingsley`s suggestion that GRUB likes
odd-numbered boot drives. 

I am at the point of wondering if it would be a good idea to bring
the box to the next Wellylug meeting to let the local GRUB
aficionados have a go.

The reason for the whole exercise is that my other (smaller) box
is exhibiting unpredictable starting behaviour - possibly due to
failing capacitators and fluctuations in Wellington`s power supply. 

The last episode (taking one and a half days of systematically repeated
attempts to start the machine) followed a power spike causing 
a telegraph pole to spectacularly burst into flame down the road 
and a power cut in the surrounding area. I have had it running
continuously since .. not a long-term solution.

I am also in the process of moving and would like to set up a reliable
system for the future.

Regards,

Adam.

afb at paradise.net.nz







More information about the wellylug mailing list