[RULE] Kernel loading problems (CD-install)

[danj at netsoc.ucd.ie]

I'm sorry for what might be a difficult to read mail, but to
reformat this much info would take too much time. What follows is a short
message with some system info and quieries. Following that is a number of
install reports that documents the installer's outputs, for various
combinations of installer components. These reports are seperated by a line
of astrixes.  Comments are added after % signs where necessary, a bunch of
Q's together, e.g: QQQQ, is just where I forgot to fill in or write down
some detail.

After the kernel CDROM failed to load a number of times, I borrowed the
DVD ROM from my mothers machine, which sucessfully mounts the kernel cd.
Smart boot manager, as included in XOSL, which I use for booting my
floppies and CD's, doesn't recognize the DVD. A test install from it
was therefore not possible, besides which the installer on the cd rom
doesn't support a red hat 9 install.  The CD ROM is version v0.3.6

Given the current state of the install, I would appreciate any suggestions
as to how I might complete it.

Installing without the Red Hat disk in the drive, skips the rpm install
and the system sucessfully executes unmount and eject in preperation for
kernel install (functions that normally fail). Attemp to install kernel
fails, as detailed by the last report on this page.

Was able to install Rigby's kitchen sink kernel but since installer
didn't load LILO, I was at a bit of a loss

goin to attempt to manually complete install (somehow!)
but would like to see normal install working.
do I need to download another CD image?

Testing of possible floppy drive speed mismatch between PIII machine
and 486 : negative/inconclusive

v 0.3.97 goes same as v 0.3.96

CDRigby's kernels:
danj -> bad download
slinky, base => one works same as v.0.3.96

CD has 27Mb only burned on it.

Mitsumi CD-ROM DRIVE
MODEL NO. CRMC-FX400E

smartboot ok   mount balks on kernel CD, RULE developers may want to
						look into this


Toshiba DVD-ROM DRIVE
MODEL NO. SD-M1202

smartboot balks  mount ok


installer balks when give input 'NO' at reboot prompt at end of install.

***************************

v 0.3.6 floppy + 2nd stage (not prompted for)

booting disk 1 returns:


BusyBox v0.60.5 (2002.12.11-03: 01+0000) Built in shell (ash)
Enter 'help' for a list of built in commands.

#Waiting for enter to start '/bin/sh' (pid 13, terminal /dev/tty2)
Waiting for enter to start


press enter returns: #
enter: /bin/sh  returns: (1)

enter: /scripts/setup.sh
installer starts, asks for version
enter 8.0 -> attempt to install RPM's fails

****************************

v 0.3.96 floppy +  2nd stage scripts from cdrom

Please insert Red Hat Linux disk 1 in your cd drive
Press enterwhen ready

Mounting /dev/hdb on /mnt/cdrom
rpm: no such file or directory
Packages for a base system are....... % the usual

% ....
Install sendmail server? [yes/NO]:

Failed to determine a valid version.
Kernel package installation has failed!
Switch to vt2, and install a kernel package.
Then return here, and press enter to continue


The rest goes like the end of the next run report

****************************

v 0.3.96 floppy + 2nd stage scripts on floppy

boot goes fine until...

Preparing...       #########
 1:rhpl            #########
/root/scripts/base_install.sh: umount: No such file or directory
/root/scripts/base_install.sh: eject: No such file or directory

Red Hat has removed ...  bla bla bla
.....
Press 'enter' when ready.   % CDROM wont respond, wont open drawer,  press
enter returns:

Mounting /dev/hdb on /mnt/cdrom

Mount failed, switch to another terminal and try
mounting the filesystem manually.
Then return here and press 'enter' to continue.

% switched terminal CTRL + ALT + F2

Please press Enter to activate this console.  % I pressed enter
Bummer, could not run '/bin/sh': Nosuch file or directory

Please press Enter to activate this console.

% switched terminal CTRL + ALT +F1, and pressed enter

Error reported while installing the kernel rpm

Unmounting and ejectingcdrom...
/root/scripts/base_install.sh: umount: Nosuch file or directory
/root/scripts/base_install.sh: eject: Nosuch file or directory

Done
Please set a root password:
/root/scripts/base_install.sh: /usr/bin/passwd : Nosuch file or directory


Please create a non-root user account, this is required!

Please enter a login name:
/root/scripts/base_install.sh: /usr/bin/usradd : Nosuch file or directory


Please enter danj's full name:
/root/scripts/base_install.sh: /usr/bin/chfn : Nosuch file or directory


Please set a password for danj
/root/scripts/base_install.sh: /usr/bin/passwd : Nosuch file or directory


/root/scripts/base_install.sh: grep : Nosuch file or directory
/root/scripts/base_install.sh: grep : Nosuch file or directory

        #######******   Important   ******#######
You have the .....  % bla bla bla!
                                 ..........to dual boot

Shall I install lilo on /dev/hda? [yes/NO]:  % I said yes
/root/scripts/base_install.sh: lilo: Nosuch file or directory

Shall I create a boot floppy? [yes/NO]:  % I said yes
/root/scripts/base_install.sh: pivot_root: Nosuch file or directory
rmdir: unable to remove '/newroot/oldroot':Nosuch file or directory
/scripts/initial_reboot.sh: cannot create /newroot/etc/mtab: Nosuch file
or dir
ectory
You're ready to reboot? [yes/NO]
Unmounting filesystems.
Couldn't unmout /newroot on /dev/hda3 : Invalid argument
Turning off swap

Done- The install is complete!
Please press 'enter' to reboot

Bummer could not...... % rest goes by a little to fast to write down!!



*******************************

v 0.3.96 floppy + 2nd stage scripts on floppy  NO RED HAT DISK!

after I ignore the CD prompt, and the system (naturally) fails to
install the RPM's, the system prompts for the kernel CDROM. I insert
the CDROM press enter and the installer returns:



Mounting /dev/hdb on mnt/cdrom
Error reported while installing the kernel  rpm.
Finished installing RPM's

Unmounting and ejecting cdrom...
Done



The rest of the install fails the same way as the normal install.
lilo won't install. But unlike the other installs I can anwser no to the
reboot prompt without the installer balking!



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