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Linux Installation Problems

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by psmanohar

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Hi,

I just got a problem during installing of RedHat Linux 7.1. I installed Windows 2000, by booting thru the cd, I created a partion of 4 GB for Windows 2000 and i left the rest of the space as unpartioned. I tried to install linux in the unpartioned space using disk druid utility of linux. I gave created a linux native root (/) partion, I got an alert stating that the number of cylinders are > 1024.

Kindly give me an effective solution to sort out this problem.

Thanks in advance
Manohar

7 replies

by ian_c

Well, I'm not an expert on this by any means, but can share my experiences.

I tried to do similar with RHL 7.0 on a box with Win98, using disk druid. The installation completed, but on rebooting I got partition table errors.

I was able to bootfrom floppies, and was able to fix the errors using a couple of utilities in Linux, which then made Win98 bootable OK. However after that Linux would no longer boot.

Since I hadn't yet done anything with Linux except fix the partition table, I simply deleted the Linux partitions, re-created and formatted them with Partition Magic, and installed RHL without using disk druid. I didn't encounter any problems at all.

The lesson learned? I guess disk druid is a little flaky. Hope this helps, but I'm sure the experts in here can add more.

by zbrain75

The reason for the warning is because in the past operating systems installed above cylinder 1024 were not bootable. This has been changed with updates to LILO and Computer system BIOS. I would advise that you try the install anyway and then see if you can boot to your system. All you have to lose is .5 to one hour of your time.
It should work so long as the BIOS on your computer is relatively modern (within the last 3 years or so).

by johnj

Another solution, if DiskDruid doesn't work, is to use the Linux fdisk utility (not Microsoft's!). I have had success in the past partitioning with fdisk when DiskDruid wouldn't do the trick. One drawback to fdisk is that it's console based, at least it's a drawback if you're hooked on point-and-click. RedHat's installation process gives you a choice between fdisk and DiskDruid.
John Wheaton
Network Administrator
St. Francis High School
Louisville, KY 40202

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