[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
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