[gentoo-laptop] Install problems

[gentoo-laptop] Install problems

[Sad Jack]

I've installed gentoo on my desktop and I'm trying now to get it to run
as a dual boot with Win XP on my laptop.

Whenever I try and boot from the install CD (the same one used to
install on my desktop, the current universal 2005) installation hangs
after 'ok installing the kernel'. Nothing seems to happen, no disk
access (CD or Hard drive).

I've tried other distros..Suse, Ubuntu, Puppy, the only one that gets me
passed the above is Slackware 10.1 which goes through the complete
install but cannot write lilo to boot. Just says it can't write and says
to do it manually.

In any case I want Gentoo!!!

Laptop
Acer TravelMate 8104WLMi
Intel Pentium M 760 Processor
ATI Mobility Radeon X700 with 128Mb
100GB hard drive
DVD re writer
1GB DDR2 533

The hard drive has a small restore partition with recovery tools hidden
under windows and seen in linux as /dev/hda1. The windows install is at
/dev/hda2. I have the rest as unallocated space at the mo awaiting
(hopefully) Gentoo.

I get the feeling that its at the hardware detection stage that is the
problem as live CD's when booted in failsafe load and work OK. I can't
find a failsafe option to boot Gentoo, is there one?

I've looked around the forums and this problem has been highlighted by
others but I do not see a solution. Any ideas would be very gratefully
received.
-- 
gentoo-laptop@gentoo.org mailing list

Re: [gentoo-laptop] Install problems

[Andrew Randles]

I don't have the same laptop so all I can suggest is try the different
kernel options that you have when booting.  Thins like disabling
fblash, usb, pcmcia, and so on (don't quote me on the syntax I think
you can hit type help at the boot screen to see what your option are. 
That is if you are even getting to the screen with the different
kernel options.

The only other option I have is to maybe look at other booting methods
depending on whats availble for your laptop.  Thins like boot off a
usb stick or try knoppix and install from the knoppix disc.

Sorry I can't be of more help.
Andrew


On 5/26/05, Sad Jack <sadjack45@tiscali.co.uk> wrote:
> I've installed gentoo on my desktop and I'm trying now to get it to run
> as a dual boot with Win XP on my laptop.
> 
> Whenever I try and boot from the install CD (the same one used to
> install on my desktop, the current universal 2005) installation hangs
> after 'ok installing the kernel'. Nothing seems to happen, no disk
> access (CD or Hard drive).
> 
> I've tried other distros..Suse, Ubuntu, Puppy, the only one that gets me
> passed the above is Slackware 10.1 which goes through the complete
> install but cannot write lilo to boot. Just says it can't write and says
> to do it manually.
> 
> In any case I want Gentoo!!!
> 
> Laptop
> Acer TravelMate 8104WLMi
> Intel Pentium M 760 Processor
> ATI Mobility Radeon X700 with 128Mb
> 100GB hard drive
> DVD re writer
> 1GB DDR2 533
> 
> The hard drive has a small restore partition with recovery tools hidden
> under windows and seen in linux as /dev/hda1. The windows install is at
> /dev/hda2. I have the rest as unallocated space at the mo awaiting
> (hopefully) Gentoo.
> 
> I get the feeling that its at the hardware detection stage that is the
> problem as live CD's when booted in failsafe load and work OK. I can't
> find a failsafe option to boot Gentoo, is there one?
> 
> I've looked around the forums and this problem has been highlighted by
> others but I do not see a solution. Any ideas would be very gratefully
> received.
> --
> gentoo-laptop@gentoo.org mailing list
> 
>

-- 
gentoo-laptop@gentoo.org mailing list

Re: [gentoo-laptop] Install problems

[Cliff Rowley]

Sad Jack wrote:
> Whenever I try and boot from the install CD (the same one used to
> install on my desktop, the current universal 2005) installation hangs
> after 'ok installing the kernel'. Nothing seems to happen, no disk
> access (CD or Hard drive).
> 
> I've tried other distros..Suse, Ubuntu, Puppy, the only one that gets me
> passed the above is Slackware 10.1 which goes through the complete
> install but cannot write lilo to boot. Just says it can't write and says
> to do it manually.

Is there some kind of boot or virus protection switched on in your BIOS? 
  Perhaps something that prevents the boot loader from being 
overwritten?  Although that doesn't explain the detection weirdness.

Only thing I can think of, aside from some funky unsupported hardware.

> I get the feeling that its at the hardware detection stage that is the
> problem as live CD's when booted in failsafe load and work OK. I can't
> find a failsafe option to boot Gentoo, is there one?

Hmm interesting.  Maybe if you could boot Slackware 10.1 or boot the 
livecd's in failsafe and save your dmesg output it might provide some 
more insight (maybe).


-- 
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.322 / Virus Database: 266.11.17 - Release Date: 25/05/2005

-- 
gentoo-laptop@gentoo.org mailing list

Re: [gentoo-laptop] Install problems

[Sad Jack]

Cliff Rowley wrote:
> Sad Jack wrote:
> 
>> Whenever I try and boot from the install CD (the same one used to
>> install on my desktop, the current universal 2005) installation hangs
>> after 'ok installing the kernel'. Nothing seems to happen, no disk
>> access (CD or Hard drive).
>>
>> I've tried other distros..Suse, Ubuntu, Puppy, the only one that gets me
>> passed the above is Slackware 10.1 which goes through the complete
>> install but cannot write lilo to boot. Just says it can't write and says
>> to do it manually.
> 
> 
> Is there some kind of boot or virus protection switched on in your BIOS?
>  Perhaps something that prevents the boot loader from being
> overwritten?  Although that doesn't explain the detection weirdness.
> 
> Only thing I can think of, aside from some funky unsupported hardware.
> 
>> I get the feeling that its at the hardware detection stage that is the
>> problem as live CD's when booted in failsafe load and work OK. I can't
>> find a failsafe option to boot Gentoo, is there one?
> 
> 
> Hmm interesting.  Maybe if you could boot Slackware 10.1 or boot the
> livecd's in failsafe and save your dmesg output it might provide some
> more insight (maybe).
> 
> 
Thanks for the replies.

some interesting suggestions there especially about the bios. Can't
check it just now as I'm mid way through installing Fedora Core 3 which
at least is installing the packages same as Slacware 10.1. Not got to
the stage where grub is written yet, so heres fingers crossed  that at
least I will get some form of linux on this thing.

I'll check out the bios as soon as it reboots

Cheers
-- 
gentoo-laptop@gentoo.org mailing list

Re: [gentoo-laptop] Install problems

[Sad Jack]

Sad Jack wrote:
> Cliff Rowley wrote:
> 
>>Sad Jack wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Whenever I try and boot from the install CD (the same one used to
>>>install on my desktop, the current universal 2005) installation hangs
>>>after 'ok installing the kernel'. Nothing seems to happen, no disk
>>>access (CD or Hard drive).
>>>
>>>I've tried other distros..Suse, Ubuntu, Puppy, the only one that gets me
>>>passed the above is Slackware 10.1 which goes through the complete
>>>install but cannot write lilo to boot. Just says it can't write and says
>>>to do it manually.
>>
>>
>>Is there some kind of boot or virus protection switched on in your BIOS?
>> Perhaps something that prevents the boot loader from being
>>overwritten?  Although that doesn't explain the detection weirdness.
>>
>>Only thing I can think of, aside from some funky unsupported hardware.
>>
>>
>>>I get the feeling that its at the hardware detection stage that is the
>>>problem as live CD's when booted in failsafe load and work OK. I can't
>>>find a failsafe option to boot Gentoo, is there one?
>>
>>
>>Hmm interesting.  Maybe if you could boot Slackware 10.1 or boot the
>>livecd's in failsafe and save your dmesg output it might provide some
>>more insight (maybe).
>>
>>
> 
> Thanks for the replies.
> 
> some interesting suggestions there especially about the bios. Can't
> check it just now as I'm mid way through installing Fedora Core 3 which
> at least is installing the packages same as Slacware 10.1. Not got to
> the stage where grub is written yet, so heres fingers crossed  that at
> least I will get some form of linux on this thing.
> 
> I'll check out the bios as soon as it reboots
> 
> Cheers

OK

FC 3 is loaded and running. Grub was installed and works fine.

FC3 has not detected the graphics or the screen correctly and at the
moment I am stuck with 800x600 resolution or lower.

I would suggest at this stage its a hardware detection problem with the
other distro and that FC3 is a little more accomodating!

Its not my preferred install and I'll keep looking for a way to get
gentoo so if there are any more suggestions, please keep them coming!

By the way there is no settings in the bios that cause a problem with
writing the bootloader.

Thanks again
-- 
gentoo-laptop@gentoo.org mailing list

Re: [gentoo-laptop] Install problems

[Josh Hunholz]

If you have FC3 up and running, why not just install Gentoo from that?
Make a new partition and copy the Gentoo tarball into it. Then chroot into
in and install! It's quite easy to do it that way. :)

--Josh Hunhol

> Sad Jack wrote:
>> Cliff Rowley wrote:
>>
>>>Sad Jack wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>Whenever I try and boot from the install CD (the same one used to
>>>>install on my desktop, the current universal 2005) installation hangs
>>>>after 'ok installing the kernel'. Nothing seems to happen, no disk
>>>>access (CD or Hard drive).
>>>>
>>>>I've tried other distros..Suse, Ubuntu, Puppy, the only one that gets
>>>> me
>>>>passed the above is Slackware 10.1 which goes through the complete
>>>>install but cannot write lilo to boot. Just says it can't write and
>>>> says
>>>>to do it manually.
>>>
>>>
>>>Is there some kind of boot or virus protection switched on in your BIOS?
>>> Perhaps something that prevents the boot loader from being
>>>overwritten?  Although that doesn't explain the detection weirdness.
>>>
>>>Only thing I can think of, aside from some funky unsupported hardware.
>>>
>>>
>>>>I get the feeling that its at the hardware detection stage that is the
>>>>problem as live CD's when booted in failsafe load and work OK. I can't
>>>>find a failsafe option to boot Gentoo, is there one?
>>>
>>>
>>>Hmm interesting.  Maybe if you could boot Slackware 10.1 or boot the
>>>livecd's in failsafe and save your dmesg output it might provide some
>>>more insight (maybe).
>>>
>>>
>>
>> Thanks for the replies.
>>
>> some interesting suggestions there especially about the bios. Can't
>> check it just now as I'm mid way through installing Fedora Core 3 which
>> at least is installing the packages same as Slacware 10.1. Not got to
>> the stage where grub is written yet, so heres fingers crossed  that at
>> least I will get some form of linux on this thing.
>>
>> I'll check out the bios as soon as it reboots
>>
>> Cheers
>
> OK
>
> FC 3 is loaded and running. Grub was installed and works fine.
>
> FC3 has not detected the graphics or the screen correctly and at the
> moment I am stuck with 800x600 resolution or lower.
>
> I would suggest at this stage its a hardware detection problem with the
> other distro and that FC3 is a little more accomodating!
>
> Its not my preferred install and I'll keep looking for a way to get
> gentoo so if there are any more suggestions, please keep them coming!
>
> By the way there is no settings in the bios that cause a problem with
> writing the bootloader.
>
> Thanks again
> --
> gentoo-laptop@gentoo.org mailing list
>
>

-- 
gentoo-laptop@gentoo.org mailing list

Re: [gentoo-laptop] Install problems

[Sad Jack]

Josh Hunholz wrote:
> If you have FC3 up and running, why not just install Gentoo from that?
> Make a new partition and copy the Gentoo tarball into it. Then chroot into
> in and install! It's quite easy to do it that way. :)
> 
> --Josh Hunhol
> 
> 
>>Sad Jack wrote:
>>
>>>Cliff Rowley wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>Sad Jack wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>Whenever I try and boot from the install CD (the same one used to
>>>>>install on my desktop, the current universal 2005) installation hangs
>>>>>after 'ok installing the kernel'. Nothing seems to happen, no disk
>>>>>access (CD or Hard drive).
>>>>>
>>>>>I've tried other distros..Suse, Ubuntu, Puppy, the only one that gets
>>>>>me
>>>>>passed the above is Slackware 10.1 which goes through the complete
>>>>>install but cannot write lilo to boot. Just says it can't write and
>>>>>says
>>>>>to do it manually.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Is there some kind of boot or virus protection switched on in your BIOS?
>>>>Perhaps something that prevents the boot loader from being
>>>>overwritten?  Although that doesn't explain the detection weirdness.
>>>>
>>>>Only thing I can think of, aside from some funky unsupported hardware.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>I get the feeling that its at the hardware detection stage that is the
>>>>>problem as live CD's when booted in failsafe load and work OK. I can't
>>>>>find a failsafe option to boot Gentoo, is there one?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Hmm interesting.  Maybe if you could boot Slackware 10.1 or boot the
>>>>livecd's in failsafe and save your dmesg output it might provide some
>>>>more insight (maybe).
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>Thanks for the replies.
>>>
>>>some interesting suggestions there especially about the bios. Can't
>>>check it just now as I'm mid way through installing Fedora Core 3 which
>>>at least is installing the packages same as Slacware 10.1. Not got to
>>>the stage where grub is written yet, so heres fingers crossed  that at
>>>least I will get some form of linux on this thing.
>>>
>>>I'll check out the bios as soon as it reboots
>>>
>>>Cheers
>>
>>OK
>>
>>FC 3 is loaded and running. Grub was installed and works fine.
>>
>>FC3 has not detected the graphics or the screen correctly and at the
>>moment I am stuck with 800x600 resolution or lower.
>>
>>I would suggest at this stage its a hardware detection problem with the
>>other distro and that FC3 is a little more accomodating!
>>
>>Its not my preferred install and I'll keep looking for a way to get
>>gentoo so if there are any more suggestions, please keep them coming!
>>
>>By the way there is no settings in the bios that cause a problem with
>>writing the bootloader.
>>
>>Thanks again
>>--
>>gentoo-laptop@gentoo.org mailing list
>>
>>
> 
> 


Thanks Josh

I've been away for a few days so things have not changed much! I'll give
your suggestion a go.
-- 
gentoo-laptop@gentoo.org mailing list

[gentoo-laptop] HOWTO - lvm + dm-crypt + suspend2

[Benjamin Smee]

heya,
I have just finished a HOWTO that might be of interest to this list. I
think I got rid of most of the rough edges but please let me know if you
spot any obvious problems. Feedback is welcome! 

NOTE: presentation isn't my forte ;)

Hosted at my site:
http://www.disciplina.net/howto/HOWTO-lvm_dm-crypt_suspend2.html

or on the suspend2 wiki
http://wiki.suspend2.net/DistroAndHardwareSetup/LvmDmcryptHOWTO

I will shortly have finished my laptop tips page as well.

regards,

Benjamin Smee (strerror)
-- 
gentoo-laptop@gentoo.org mailing list

Re: [gentoo-laptop] Install problems

[Sad Jack]

Sad Jack wrote:
> Josh Hunholz wrote:
> 
>>If you have FC3 up and running, why not just install Gentoo from that?
>>Make a new partition and copy the Gentoo tarball into it. Then chroot into
>>in and install! It's quite easy to do it that way. :)
>>
>>--Josh Hunhol
>>
>>
>>
>>>Sad Jack wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>Cliff Rowley wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>Sad Jack wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>Whenever I try and boot from the install CD (the same one used to
>>>>>>install on my desktop, the current universal 2005) installation hangs
>>>>>>after 'ok installing the kernel'. Nothing seems to happen, no disk
>>>>>>access (CD or Hard drive).
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I've tried other distros..Suse, Ubuntu, Puppy, the only one that gets
>>>>>>me
>>>>>>passed the above is Slackware 10.1 which goes through the complete
>>>>>>install but cannot write lilo to boot. Just says it can't write and
>>>>>>says
>>>>>>to do it manually.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>Is there some kind of boot or virus protection switched on in your BIOS?
>>>>>Perhaps something that prevents the boot loader from being
>>>>>overwritten?  Although that doesn't explain the detection weirdness.
>>>>>
>>>>>Only thing I can think of, aside from some funky unsupported hardware.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>I get the feeling that its at the hardware detection stage that is the
>>>>>>problem as live CD's when booted in failsafe load and work OK. I can't
>>>>>>find a failsafe option to boot Gentoo, is there one?
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>Hmm interesting.  Maybe if you could boot Slackware 10.1 or boot the
>>>>>livecd's in failsafe and save your dmesg output it might provide some
>>>>>more insight (maybe).
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Thanks for the replies.
>>>>
>>>>some interesting suggestions there especially about the bios. Can't
>>>>check it just now as I'm mid way through installing Fedora Core 3 which
>>>>at least is installing the packages same as Slacware 10.1. Not got to
>>>>the stage where grub is written yet, so heres fingers crossed  that at
>>>>least I will get some form of linux on this thing.
>>>>
>>>>I'll check out the bios as soon as it reboots
>>>>
>>>>Cheers
>>>
>>>OK
>>>
>>>FC 3 is loaded and running. Grub was installed and works fine.
>>>
>>>FC3 has not detected the graphics or the screen correctly and at the
>>>moment I am stuck with 800x600 resolution or lower.
>>>
>>>I would suggest at this stage its a hardware detection problem with the
>>>other distro and that FC3 is a little more accomodating!
>>>
>>>Its not my preferred install and I'll keep looking for a way to get
>>>gentoo so if there are any more suggestions, please keep them coming!
>>>
>>>By the way there is no settings in the bios that cause a problem with
>>>writing the bootloader.
>>>
>>>Thanks again
>>>--
>>>gentoo-laptop@gentoo.org mailing list
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
> 
> 
> Thanks Josh
> 
> I've been away for a few days so things have not changed much! I'll give
> your suggestion a go.


A big thank you to everyone who has taken the time to try and help me
with this install. Still no luck however!

Everytime the installation starts to look for hardware it hangs just
after Ok installing the kernel. Josh I tried your suggestion but managed
to get myself in knotts and crashed and burned. Never mind. I'm still
learning.

I was wondering, is there a way to pass a command to the install process
to tell it not to detect hardware? I feel sure this is the issue. As I
have to dual boot with XP for work reasons and wish to use gentoo for
personal ones, I don't need all the tricked out kit to run under gentoo.
  Some simple apps under kde is all i need. I can always take my time
with the other stuff.

Fedora is ok but.....


-- 
gentoo-laptop@gentoo.org mailing list

Re: [gentoo-laptop] Install problems

[Ryan Viljoen]

If you can spare some space than I think the best way to do this would
be to install Gentoo from your existing Fedora install as Josh
suggested. Than use lshw, lspci and lsusb to manually configure your
own kernel to your hardware requirements without having to worry about
auto detection.

An interesting point though, when install gentoo on my friends
notebook we had a similar problem of the install CD hanging and not
getting passed a point (during hardware detection) not matter how long
we left it. Luckily I had the 2004.1, 2004.3 and 2005.0 install cd's.
The 2004.1 install CD worked perfectly getting through all the
hardware detection. Once installed an emerge sync and a change in
profile and his install was sorted. So I dont know if you tried
different versions of the gentoo install cd but if not maybe track
down an older on? (2004.1 possibly).

Other than that I wish you luck. I would also cry if I had to use "the
distro that most wants to be like windows"  *sigh* ... hshsh sorry
couldnt resist.

Cheers
Rav

On 6/1/05, Sad Jack <sadjack45@tiscali.co.uk> wrote:
> Sad Jack wrote:
> > Josh Hunholz wrote:
> >
> >>If you have FC3 up and running, why not just install Gentoo from that?
> >>Make a new partition and copy the Gentoo tarball into it. Then chroot into
> >>in and install! It's quite easy to do it that way. :)
> >>
> >>--Josh Hunhol
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>>Sad Jack wrote:
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>Cliff Rowley wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>>Sad Jack wrote:
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>>Whenever I try and boot from the install CD (the same one used to
> >>>>>>install on my desktop, the current universal 2005) installation hangs
> >>>>>>after 'ok installing the kernel'. Nothing seems to happen, no disk
> >>>>>>access (CD or Hard drive).
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>I've tried other distros..Suse, Ubuntu, Puppy, the only one that gets
> >>>>>>me
> >>>>>>passed the above is Slackware 10.1 which goes through the complete
> >>>>>>install but cannot write lilo to boot. Just says it can't write and
> >>>>>>says
> >>>>>>to do it manually.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>Is there some kind of boot or virus protection switched on in your BIOS?
> >>>>>Perhaps something that prevents the boot loader from being
> >>>>>overwritten?  Although that doesn't explain the detection weirdness.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>Only thing I can think of, aside from some funky unsupported hardware.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>>I get the feeling that its at the hardware detection stage that is the
> >>>>>>problem as live CD's when booted in failsafe load and work OK. I can't
> >>>>>>find a failsafe option to boot Gentoo, is there one?
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>Hmm interesting.  Maybe if you could boot Slackware 10.1 or boot the
> >>>>>livecd's in failsafe and save your dmesg output it might provide some
> >>>>>more insight (maybe).
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>Thanks for the replies.
> >>>>
> >>>>some interesting suggestions there especially about the bios. Can't
> >>>>check it just now as I'm mid way through installing Fedora Core 3 which
> >>>>at least is installing the packages same as Slacware 10.1. Not got to
> >>>>the stage where grub is written yet, so heres fingers crossed  that at
> >>>>least I will get some form of linux on this thing.
> >>>>
> >>>>I'll check out the bios as soon as it reboots
> >>>>
> >>>>Cheers
> >>>
> >>>OK
> >>>
> >>>FC 3 is loaded and running. Grub was installed and works fine.
> >>>
> >>>FC3 has not detected the graphics or the screen correctly and at the
> >>>moment I am stuck with 800x600 resolution or lower.
> >>>
> >>>I would suggest at this stage its a hardware detection problem with the
> >>>other distro and that FC3 is a little more accomodating!
> >>>
> >>>Its not my preferred install and I'll keep looking for a way to get
> >>>gentoo so if there are any more suggestions, please keep them coming!
> >>>
> >>>By the way there is no settings in the bios that cause a problem with
> >>>writing the bootloader.
> >>>
> >>>Thanks again
> >>>--
> >>>gentoo-laptop@gentoo.org mailing list
> >>>
> >>>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> > Thanks Josh
> >
> > I've been away for a few days so things have not changed much! I'll give
> > your suggestion a go.
> 
> 
> A big thank you to everyone who has taken the time to try and help me
> with this install. Still no luck however!
> 
> Everytime the installation starts to look for hardware it hangs just
> after Ok installing the kernel. Josh I tried your suggestion but managed
> to get myself in knotts and crashed and burned. Never mind. I'm still
> learning.
> 
> I was wondering, is there a way to pass a command to the install process
> to tell it not to detect hardware? I feel sure this is the issue. As I
> have to dual boot with XP for work reasons and wish to use gentoo for
> personal ones, I don't need all the tricked out kit to run under gentoo.
>   Some simple apps under kde is all i need. I can always take my time
> with the other stuff.
> 
> Fedora is ok but.....
> 
> 
> --
> gentoo-laptop@gentoo.org mailing list
> 
> 


-- 
"When you play a Microsoft CD backwards you can hear demonic Voices...
that's nothing - when you play it forward it installs Windows"
Are you fearing my mouse? <:3___)~~~~

-- 
gentoo-laptop@gentoo.org mailing list

Re: [gentoo-laptop] Install problems

[jake]

Quoting Ryan Viljoen <ravilj@gmail.com>:

> If you can spare some space than I think the best way to do this would
> be to install Gentoo from your existing Fedora install as Josh
> suggested. Than use lshw, lspci and lsusb to manually configure your
> own kernel to your hardware requirements without having to worry about
> auto detection.
>
> An interesting point though, when install gentoo on my friends
> notebook we had a similar problem of the install CD hanging and not
> getting passed a point (during hardware detection) not matter how long
> we left it. Luckily I had the 2004.1, 2004.3 and 2005.0 install cd's.
> The 2004.1 install CD worked perfectly getting through all the
> hardware detection. Once installed an emerge sync and a change in
> profile and his install was sorted. So I dont know if you tried
> different versions of the gentoo install cd but if not maybe track
> down an older on? (2004.1 possibly).
>


This is a good point - the live CD does some fairly complicated things dueing
boot.  It has a pretty massiv initrd image that it loads to do module loading
and stuff, and the latest one simply might not be compatible with your
hardware.  Submit a bug for it, and then try an older liveCD.

----------------------------------------------------------------
This message was sent using IMP, the Internet Messaging Program.

-- 
gentoo-laptop@gentoo.org mailing list

Re: [gentoo-laptop] Install problems

[Sad Jack]

Ryan Viljoen wrote:
> If you can spare some space than I think the best way to do this would
> be to install Gentoo from your existing Fedora install as Josh
> suggested. Than use lshw, lspci and lsusb to manually configure your
> own kernel to your hardware requirements without having to worry about
> auto detection.
> 
> An interesting point though, when install gentoo on my friends
> notebook we had a similar problem of the install CD hanging and not
> getting passed a point (during hardware detection) not matter how long
> we left it. Luckily I had the 2004.1, 2004.3 and 2005.0 install cd's.
> The 2004.1 install CD worked perfectly getting through all the
> hardware detection. Once installed an emerge sync and a change in
> profile and his install was sorted. So I dont know if you tried
> different versions of the gentoo install cd but if not maybe track
> down an older on? (2004.1 possibly).
> 
> Other than that I wish you luck. I would also cry if I had to use "the
> distro that most wants to be like windows"  *sigh* ... hshsh sorry
> couldnt resist.
> 
> Cheers
> Rav
> 
> On 6/1/05, Sad Jack <sadjack45@tiscali.co.uk> wrote:
> 
>>Sad Jack wrote:
>>
>>>Josh Hunholz wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>If you have FC3 up and running, why not just install Gentoo from that?
>>>>Make a new partition and copy the Gentoo tarball into it. Then chroot into
>>>>in and install! It's quite easy to do it that way. :)
>>>>
>>>>--Josh Hunhol
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>Sad Jack wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>Cliff Rowley wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Sad Jack wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Whenever I try and boot from the install CD (the same one used to
>>>>>>>>install on my desktop, the current universal 2005) installation hangs
>>>>>>>>after 'ok installing the kernel'. Nothing seems to happen, no disk
>>>>>>>>access (CD or Hard drive).
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>I've tried other distros..Suse, Ubuntu, Puppy, the only one that gets
>>>>>>>>me
>>>>>>>>passed the above is Slackware 10.1 which goes through the complete
>>>>>>>>install but cannot write lilo to boot. Just says it can't write and
>>>>>>>>says
>>>>>>>>to do it manually.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Is there some kind of boot or virus protection switched on in your BIOS?
>>>>>>>Perhaps something that prevents the boot loader from being
>>>>>>>overwritten?  Although that doesn't explain the detection weirdness.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Only thing I can think of, aside from some funky unsupported hardware.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>I get the feeling that its at the hardware detection stage that is the
>>>>>>>>problem as live CD's when booted in failsafe load and work OK. I can't
>>>>>>>>find a failsafe option to boot Gentoo, is there one?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Hmm interesting.  Maybe if you could boot Slackware 10.1 or boot the
>>>>>>>livecd's in failsafe and save your dmesg output it might provide some
>>>>>>>more insight (maybe).
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Thanks for the replies.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>some interesting suggestions there especially about the bios. Can't
>>>>>>check it just now as I'm mid way through installing Fedora Core 3 which
>>>>>>at least is installing the packages same as Slacware 10.1. Not got to
>>>>>>the stage where grub is written yet, so heres fingers crossed  that at
>>>>>>least I will get some form of linux on this thing.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I'll check out the bios as soon as it reboots
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Cheers
>>>>>
>>>>>OK
>>>>>
>>>>>FC 3 is loaded and running. Grub was installed and works fine.
>>>>>
>>>>>FC3 has not detected the graphics or the screen correctly and at the
>>>>>moment I am stuck with 800x600 resolution or lower.
>>>>>
>>>>>I would suggest at this stage its a hardware detection problem with the
>>>>>other distro and that FC3 is a little more accomodating!
>>>>>
>>>>>Its not my preferred install and I'll keep looking for a way to get
>>>>>gentoo so if there are any more suggestions, please keep them coming!
>>>>>
>>>>>By the way there is no settings in the bios that cause a problem with
>>>>>writing the bootloader.
>>>>>
>>>>>Thanks again
>>>>>--
>>>>>gentoo-laptop@gentoo.org mailing list
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>Thanks Josh
>>>
>>>I've been away for a few days so things have not changed much! I'll give
>>>your suggestion a go.
>>
>>
>>A big thank you to everyone who has taken the time to try and help me
>>with this install. Still no luck however!
>>
>>Everytime the installation starts to look for hardware it hangs just
>>after Ok installing the kernel. Josh I tried your suggestion but managed
>>to get myself in knotts and crashed and burned. Never mind. I'm still
>>learning.
>>
>>I was wondering, is there a way to pass a command to the install process
>>to tell it not to detect hardware? I feel sure this is the issue. As I
>>have to dual boot with XP for work reasons and wish to use gentoo for
>>personal ones, I don't need all the tricked out kit to run under gentoo.
>>  Some simple apps under kde is all i need. I can always take my time
>>with the other stuff.
>>
>>Fedora is ok but.....
>>
>>
>>--
>>gentoo-laptop@gentoo.org mailing list
>>
>>
> 
> 
> 

Right, a little red faced I have found that entering 'gentoo noapic' at
the boot prompt takes me to a command line. I thought I'd tried all the
options on the CD but this one must have slipped me by.

I have now got to the stage of having everything installed and I'm just
trying to figure out how best to install grub, my first attempt resulted
in a hanging system. Gentoo sees the hard drive as /dev/sda for some
reason. Just to complicate things the drive is partitioned as

sda1 - restore partition used by the recovery disk.
sda2 - windows xp

I currently have sda4 as an extended partition with sda5 as /boot, sda6
as /swap and sda7 as /.

sda8 is a fat32 logical partition for shared data.

It seems I have some reading to do!

My apologies if I've put anyone out.
-- 
gentoo-laptop@gentoo.org mailing list

Re: [gentoo-laptop] Install problems

[Jordi Molina]

Hi Jack, got the same issue with an Acer

On 5/26/05, Sad Jack <sadjack45@tiscali.co.uk> wrote:
> I've installed gentoo on my desktop and I'm trying now to get it to run
> as a dual boot with Win XP on my laptop.
> 
> Whenever I try and boot from the install CD (the same one used to
> install on my desktop, the current universal 2005) installation hangs
> after 'ok installing the kernel'. Nothing seems to happen, no disk
> access (CD or Hard drive).
> 
> I've tried other distros..Suse, Ubuntu, Puppy, the only one that gets me
> passed the above is Slackware 10.1 which goes through the complete
> install but cannot write lilo to boot. Just says it can't write and says
> to do it manually.
> 
> In any case I want Gentoo!!!
> 
> Laptop
> Acer TravelMate 8104WLMi
> Intel Pentium M 760 Processor
> ATI Mobility Radeon X700 with 128Mb
> 100GB hard drive
> DVD re writer
> 1GB DDR2 533
> 
> The hard drive has a small restore partition with recovery tools hidden
> under windows and seen in linux as /dev/hda1. The windows install is at
> /dev/hda2. I have the rest as unallocated space at the mo awaiting
> (hopefully) Gentoo.
> 

You can disable this partition from BIOS, the setting is called D2D something.
Also check for the virus protection, that may be silly-protecting the
MBR of the hard drive.

> I get the feeling that its at the hardware detection stage that is the
> problem as live CD's when booted in failsafe load and work OK. I can't
> find a failsafe option to boot Gentoo, is there one?
> 
> I've looked around the forums and this problem has been highlighted by
> others but I do not see a solution. Any ideas would be very gratefully
> received.
> --
> gentoo-laptop@gentoo.org mailing list
> 
> 
Good luck!
it's not impossible, I'm running gentoo for more than one year in my lap :)

-- 
     Jordi Molina Casas (warp3r)
       mail: warp3r@gmail.com
         www: www.warp3r.com

    If you're still sending mail to 
   warper@eresmas, please update your 
     address book, my current email 
          is warp3r@gmail.com

-- 
gentoo-laptop@gentoo.org mailing list