xp/fedora5/mandriva2006

[elleon30033]

Ok, sorry to be back with a continuation of the same problem. I loaded xp on my dual xeon, followed that with fedora 5...no problems..all was well.. ...Tonight decided to add mandriva 2006 to the others. Mandriva boots fine, xp boots fine, but fedora is nowhere to be seen, not in the boot menu, not in the /mnt file after I get into mandriva to look for it. I'm using grub to boot. Kinda frustrating because i remember having similar probs with redhat 9 and i should have created a boot floppy but i didn't. any advise more than welcomed.....oh, its not listed in cat /etc/fastab either. i'm not happy////thanks folks

[Bruno]

Hi ElleonNo problem . . . . it is just that Mandriva does not automatically add Fedora to the bootmenu or fstab ;)Do you know what partition Fedora should be on ?? If so please tell us and I will post a "howto add to the Mandriva grub" Bruno

[elleon30033]

bruno, thanks for the reply. I managed to do an upgrade install of fedora which really involved only updating grub. I was hoping it would add mandriva but it did not. So now i'm typing this in fedora with no way to boot in mandriva. I feel really stupid lol. Anyway, i will post the fstab for fedora and if you could help me make a boot copy of grub and reload mandriva to the grub along with fedora i would be very thankful.....t$ cat /etc/fstabLABEL=/ / ext3 defaults 1 1devpts /dev/pts devpts gid=5,mode=620 0 0tmpfs /dev/shm tmpfs defaults 0 0proc /proc proc defaults 0 0sysfs /sys sysfs defaults 0 0LABEL=SWAP-sdb2 swap swap defaults 0 0[smythe30033@localhost ~]$

[Bruno]

LOL . . . no problem . . . but now I need to know what partition Mandriva is on before I can post instructions :DB) Bruno

[elleon30033]

~]$ cat /etc/fstab# This file is edited by fstab-sync - see 'man fstab-sync' for details/dev/sdb6 / ext3 defaults 1 1/dev/hdc /mnt/cdrom auto umask=0,user,iocharset=iso8859-1,codepage=850,noauto,ro,exec,users 0 0/dev/hdd /mnt/cdrom2 auto umask=0,user,iocharset=iso8859-1,codepage=850,noauto,ro,exec,users 0 0none /mnt/floppy supermount dev=/dev/fd0,fs=ext2:vfat,--,umask=0,iocharset=iso8859-1,sync,codepage=850 0 0/dev/sda1 /mnt/win_c vfat umask=0,iocharset=iso8859-1,codepage=850 0 0/dev/sda2 /mnt/win_d vfat umask=0,iocharset=iso8859-1,codepage=850 0 0none /proc proc defaults 0 0/dev/sdb2 swap swap defaults 0 0/dev/sdb5 swap swap defaults 0 0there ya go my friend. had to do another update install to post this. Now in madriva....it gives me an option to add a boot entry to mandy in the upgrade but i don't know the syntax, after 6 tries i decided to listen to you.....thanks

[Bruno]

. . . stop . . . . Elleon . . . you keep reinstalling and next posting the fstab of the distro you can boot at that moment. What I need to know is the partition number of the distro you can NOT boot . . . . . . because that is the one we want to add to the bootloader.Okay . . now we see that Mandriva / partition is on /dev/sdb6 . . . and that the swap partitions are /dev/sdb2 and /dev/sdb5 . . . but now, without booting or fixing Fedora I need to know what the partition number is of Fedora ( I hope you remember, if not don't go fixing again but just post the result of "fdisk -l" so we can do some guessing ) Bruno

[elleon30033]

Disk /dev/sda: 18.2 GB, 18210036736 bytes255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 2213 cylindersUnits = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System/dev/sda1 * 1 1275 10241406 c W95 FAT32 (LBA)/dev/sda2 1276 2213 7534485 c W95 FAT32 (LBA)Disk /dev/sdb: 73.4 GB, 73407820800 bytes255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 8924 cylindersUnits = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System/dev/sdb1 * 192 1912 13823932+ 83 Linux/dev/sdb2 1 191 1534176 82 Linux swap / Solaris/dev/sdb3 1913 5098 25591545 5 Extended/dev/sdb5 1913 2102 1526143+ 82 Linux swap / Solaris/dev/sdb6 2103 5098 24065338+ 83 Linuxok, this is from mandriva....thanks for all your help

[elleon30033]

just a note. When i created the partition for fedora, i only created a swap, at the beginning of the drive and a / partition. I'm confused because i see three partitions where i thought there would be two. /dev/sdb3 has me puzzled. I can only assume that fedora created a boot partition without me telling it to. thought this might help you help me figure this out....thanks again

[burninbush]

just a note. When i created the partition for fedora, i only created a swap, at the beginning of the drive and a / partition. I'm confused because i see three partitions where i thought there would be two. /dev/sdb3 has me puzzled. I can only assume that fedora created a boot partition without me telling it to. thought this might help you help me figure this out....thanks again

Not to worry, any partition util will make an extended partition when you declare 'logical' instead of primary partitions. You can ignore it for all practical purposes -- an artifact of making logical parts. If you look at the starting and ending cylinder numbers, you'll see that it encompasses both of your logical parts. In case it isn't already clear to you, your various fstab files [and mounting issues] are a separate problem from booting and what choices might appear in boot menus. That is, fixing fstab will not fix the boot menu problem, nor vice versa.

[striker]

just a note. When i created the partition for fedora, i only created a swap, at the beginning of the drive and a / partition. I'm confused because i see three partitions where i thought there would be two. /dev/sdb3 has me puzzled. I can only assume that fedora created a boot partition without me telling it to. thought this might help you help me figure this out....thanks again

don't worry, the confusion will end in a couple of minutes

[Bruno]

Hi ElleonWell sdb3 is just a placeholder ( extended partition ) for the sdb5 and sdb6 ( logical partitions ) see: Primary, Extended and Logical Partitions . . so no worry there.Anyway now I see that Fedora has to be on /dev/sdb1 . . and we can start our ditective work from there . . please show us the output of next commands ( done from mandriva ):

$ su< password ># mkdir /mnt/sdb1# mount /dev/sdb1  /mnt/sdb1# cp  -r /mnt/sdb1/boot  /boot/fedora# ls  -al  /boot/fedora# cat  /boot/fedora/grub/menu.lst# cat  /boot/grub/menu.lst

( Just copy and paste everything you see in the terminal )More commands will follow as soon as I see the results from the above. Bruno

[elleon30033]

rd:[root@linuxhost lion30033]# mkdir /mnt/sdb1[root@linuxhost lion30033]# mount /dev/sdb1 /mnt/sdb1[root@linuxhost lion30033]# cp -r /mnt/sdb1/boot /boot/fedora[root@linuxhost lion30033]# ls -al /boot/fedoratotal 3540drwxr-xr-x 3 root root 4096 May 21 14:22 ./drwxr-xr-x 4 root root 4096 May 21 14:22 ../-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 63847 May 21 14:22 config-2.6.15-1.2054_FC5smpdrwxr-xr-x 2 root root 4096 May 21 14:22 grub/-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 1099326 May 21 14:22 initrd-2.6.15-1.2054_FC5smp.img-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 831559 May 21 14:22 System.map-2.6.15-1.2054_FC5smp-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 1564844 May 21 14:22 vmlinuz-2.6.15-1.2054_FC5smp[root@linuxhost lion30033]# cat /boot/fedora/grub/menu.lst# grub.conf generated by anaconda## Note that you do not have to rerun grub after making changes to this file# NOTICE: You do not have a /boot partition. This means that# all kernel and initrd paths are relative to /, eg.# root (hd1,0)# kernel /boot/vmlinuz-version ro root=/dev/sdb1# initrd /boot/initrd-version.img#boot=/dev/sdadefault=0timeout=5splashimage=(hd1,0)/boot/grub/splash.xpm.gzhiddenmenutitle Fedora Core (2.6.15-1.2054_FC5smp) root (hd1,0) kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.15-1.2054_FC5smp ro root=LABEL=/ rhgb quiet initrd /boot/initrd-2.6.15-1.2054_FC5smp.imgtitle Windows rootnoverify (hd0,0) chainloader +1[root@linuxhost lion30033]# .lstbash: .lst: command not found[root@linuxhost lion30033]# # cat /boot/grub/menu.lstno output from last command

[Bruno]

[root@linuxhost lion30033]# # cat /boot/grub/menu.lstno output from last command

LOL . . .this is because there is 2 times # in the command . . . please try again and do not type the # Bruno

[elleon30033]

Password:[root@linuxhost lion30033]# mkdir /mnt/sdb1mkdir: cannot create directory `/mnt/sdb1': File exists[root@linuxhost lion30033]# mount /dev/sdb1 mnt/sdb1mount: mount point mnt/sdb1 does not exist[root@linuxhost lion30033]# mount /dev/sdb1 /mnt/sdb1mount: /dev/sdb1 already mounted or /mnt/sdb1 busymount: according to mtab, /dev/sdb1 is already mounted on /mnt/sdb1[root@linuxhost lion30033]# cat /boot/grub/menu.lsttimeout 10color black/cyan yellow/cyanshade 1viewport 3 2 77 22splashimage (hd1,5)/boot/grub/mdv-grub_splash.xpm.gzdefault 0title linuxkernel (hd1,5)/boot/vmlinuz root=/dev/sdb6 resume=/dev/sdb2 splash=silent vga=788initrd (hd1,5)/boot/initrd.imgtitle linux-nonfbkernel (hd1,5)/boot/vmlinuz root=/dev/sdb6 splash=silent resume=/dev/sdb2initrd (hd1,5)/boot/initrd.imgtitle windowsroot (hd0,0)chainloader +1title windows1root (hd0,1)chainloader +1title alt_windowsroot (hd0,0)chainloader +1title alt_windows1root (hd0,1)chainloader +1title fedorakernel (hd1,5)/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.15-1.2054_FC5smp root=/dev/sdb1 resume=/dev/sdb2initrd (hd1,5)/boot/initrd.imgtitle failsafekernel (hd1,5)/boot/vmlinuz root=/dev/sdb6 failsafe splash=silent resume=/dev/sdb2initrd (hd1,5)/boot/initrd.imgbruno i know my menu.lst is a mess. please help me fix it

[Bruno]

Okay ElleonPlease edit the Mandriva /boot/grub/menu.lst and remove the entry marked RED and add the 2 entries I marked BLUE:

timeout 10color black/cyan yellow/cyanshade 1viewport 3 2 77 22splashimage (hd1,5)/boot/grub/mdv-grub_splash.xpm.gzdefault 0title linuxkernel (hd1,5)/boot/vmlinuz root=/dev/sdb6 resume=/dev/sdb2 splash=silent vga=788initrd (hd1,5)/boot/initrd.imgtitle linux-nonfbkernel (hd1,5)/boot/vmlinuz root=/dev/sdb6 splash=silent resume=/dev/sdb2initrd (hd1,5)/boot/initrd.imgtitle windowsroot (hd0,0)chainloader +1title windows1root (hd0,1)chainloader +1title alt_windowsroot (hd0,0)chainloader +1title alt_windows1root (hd0,1)chainloader +1title fedorakernel (hd1,5)/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.15-1.2054_FC5smp root=/dev/sdb1 resume=/dev/sdb2initrd (hd1,5)/boot/initrd.imgtitle failsafekernel (hd1,5)/boot/vmlinuz root=/dev/sdb6 failsafe splash=silent resume=/dev/sdb2initrd (hd1,5)/boot/initrd.imgtitle Fedora_Core_A root (hd1,0) kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.15-1.2054_FC5smp ro root=/dev/sdb1 rhgb quiet initrd /boot/initrd-2.6.15-1.2054_FC5smp.img savedefault boottitle Fedora_Core_B root (hd1,0) kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.15-1.2054_FC5smp ro root=LABEL=/ rhgb quiet initrd /boot/initrd-2.6.15-1.2054_FC5smp.img savedefault boot

After the edit give the command:

# grub-install /dev/sda

to write the new grub to the MBR of sda.Next reboot . . and you will see that there are 2 entries for Fedora . . . "Fedora_Core_A" and "Fedora_Core_B" . . . most likely the A will work . . but if it does not try the B ( it is hard to see what the Fedora Grub was aiming at ) Bruno

[elleon30033]

the error i get is "Kernel must be loaded before booting"Press any key to continuei get it in A and Bis there a space between kernel and /initrd and /just making sure...i didn't put one there

[Bruno]

Yep there should indeed be a space Elleon . . . . . . maybe just copy and paste the text I gave you is easier and makes sure there is no typo :DHere are the same entries but you can see the spaces better:

title   Fedora_Core_A root  (hd1,0)  kernel   /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.15-1.2054_FC5smp   ro   root=/dev/sdb1   rhgb   quiet initrd   /boot/initrd-2.6.15-1.2054_FC5smp.img savedefault boottitle   Fedora_Core_B root   (hd1,0)  kernel   /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.15-1.2054_FC5smp   ro   root=LABEL=/   rhgb quiet initrd   /boot/initrd-2.6.15-1.2054_FC5smp.img savedefault boot

Please do "# grub-install /dev/sda" again after the edit ;) Bruno

[elleon30033]

bruno, fedora b booted. Again, you are my hero

[Bruno]

GREAT !!!!!!! Well now you an delete the "A" entry . . . . . . save the file and run "# grub-install /dev/sda" again . . . and all is well ! Bruno

[elleon30033]

Correction, both a and b are booting fine. thanks a ton bruno

[Bruno]

You're welcome my friend !! Bruno

[elleon30033]

bruno, i have one last small problem. My fedora installation is not able to access the swap partition for some reason. Any suggestion on how to proceed? I see it in cat /etc/fstab but it fails on the bootup and shows as 0mb in gkrellm. let me know if i can do anything to reactivate it or if you would like to see the fstab......thanks as always.....

[striker]

Better post it now so when Bruno checks the forum in the morning he can see it immediately without asking first to post it.

[teacher]

fstab will be necessary. If your swap is 0 mb then that is the problem. Can you go in and add another swap and give it 1000 mb for size?

[elleon30033]

cat /etc/fstabLABEL=/ / ext3 defaults 1 1devpts /dev/pts devpts gid=5,mode=620 0 0tmpfs /dev/shm tmpfs defaults 0 0proc /proc proc defaults 0 0sysfs /sys sysfs defaults 0 0LABEL=SWAP-sdb2 swap swap defaults 0 0fdisk -l returns nothing. Is there a command in redhat cli that will show the actual space assigned to the swat partition.... oh and teacher thanks so much for your input....striker i meant to comment on your ability to see into the future earlier concerning the redhat boot lol, oh and teacher, any other gotcha's i need to know concerning fedora and dual xeons? I remember you said you were running redhat on a similar setup....mine is the 530ws dell /w 1.8 ghz. thanks for any input......

[elleon30033]

oh, my problem is i manually set up the swap file in fedora and i know i set the partition over 1 gig for swap. Don't understand how or why it dissappeared.

[burninbush]

cat /etc/fstabLABEL=SWAP-sdb2 swap swap defaults 0 0fdisk -l returns nothing.

Uhmmm... is your usual swap partition on a scsi or sata drive??? Maybe a drive on a 2nd interface?? If fdisk -l isn't showing any sdb disk [with a swap partition], then not-found scsi is the likely problem. Maybe the standard Fedora kernel isn't initting the driver for your sdx disks?

[Bruno]

Hi ElleonI have 2 comands for you . . . First:

# cat /proc/swaps

( or "swapon -s" the choice is up to you, they should display the same output )Second:

# swapon -a

This should mount all swap partitions . . . . please show the output of both commands. BrunoPS: My ( wild ) guess is that you did assign/label a parition to be swap but never really formatted it as such.

[teacher]

oh and teacher, any other gotcha's i need to know concerning fedora and dual xeons? I remember you said you were running redhat on a similar setup....mine is the 530ws dell /w 1.8 ghz. thanks for any input......

I think you have me confused with someone else. I might have fedora on my tower but I would have to go look. If it is there I have not touched it in at least half a year. I was never ver happy with the red hat / fedora products.

[elleon30033]

smythe30033@localhost ~]$ cat /proc/swaps[smythe30033@localhost ~]$ cat /proc/swap -acat: invalid option -- aTry `cat --help' for more information.[smythe30033@localhost ~]$ cat /proc/swapon -acat: invalid option -- aTry `cat --help' for more information.[smythe30033@localhost ~]$ cat /proc/swaponcat: /proc/swapon: No such file or directory[smythe30033@localhost ~]$ suPassword:[root@localhost smythe30033]# cat /proc/swaps[root@localhost smythe30033]# swapon -sbash: swapon: command not found[root@localhost smythe30033]# cat /proc/swapon -scat: /proc/swapon: No such file or directory[root@localhost smythe30033]# swapon -abash: swapon: command not found[root@localhost smythe30033]#don't know what i'm doing wrong here, tried every combination i thinkls -a /proc. 163 2349 2674 2916 3123 5 execdomains mtrr.. 164 2363 27 2944 3128 510 fb net1 165 2372 2705 2945 3133 549 filesystems partitions10 166 2375 2723 2992 3138 573 fs pci106 167 24 2787 3 3143 6 ide scsi10763 17 2402 2788 3035 3148 7 interrupts self10915 1779 2440 2797 3038 3160 8 iomem slabinfo10916 1780 25 28 3039 3161 830 ioports stat10943 1781 2531 2807 3090 3178 9 irq swaps10947 1782 254 2808 3093 3182 955 kallsyms sys10997 1791 2545 2814 3095 326 acpi kcore sysrq-trigger11 18 2554 2820 3097 364 asound keys sysvipc12 19 2563 2837 3099 397 buddyinfo key-users tty1265 2 2568 2839 3107 4 bus kmsg uptime13 2200 2580 2848 3109 4188 cmdline loadavg version1384 2262 26 2849 3110 4199 cpuinfo locks vmstat14 2275 2619 2850 3112 4204 crypto mdstat zoneinfo15 2278 2629 2852 3113 4208 devices meminfo16 2288 2647 2854 3116 421 diskstats misc161 2298 2655 2870 3118 4302 dma modules162 2317 2665 2874 3121 465 driver mounts[root@localhost smythe30033]#hope this helps