Dear experts,

I have succeed at this before, but I am really stumped
now, so I hope that someone will be able to tell me
the secret to fix this.


Computer:
Dell 4550. XP Professional.
Dual hard drives.
Primary, C: XP only 80 gigs.
Secondary. For Redhat 2.1 120 gigs
First partition is extended, then logical /boot


Now here is something important. When I bought this
machine, the primary/only hard drive had two
partitions in it. The first partition had no drive
letter assigned and was about 30 megs. It had hardware
diagnosis software, etc on it. The second partition was
the C: drive. 80 gigs. I was able to get this to
dual boot with grub, by overwriting the MBR. That
actually worked quite well.

However, since then, the main hard drive self-destructed.
I had this replaced, and have since installed windows
on this drive. The interesting thing was that it
was not possible to create the 30 meg partition, and
still get Windows to ignore it. If I put the Windows
install on the large partition, it was labelled d:\

NOw, I have tried a number of things to get Redhat to
install and dual boot. And still no luck.


MBR:
Using the previously successful MBR method:
- when booting, produced the word: GRUB in the top
left hand corner and the machine completely hung.
This happened for both Suse, and for Redhat installations.


Using the boot.ini method:
- used this command:
dd if=/dev/hdb5 of=/mnt/floppy/linux.bin bs=512 count=1

copied the file linux.bin to c:\

- when the machine boots, it gives me the choice of
XP, or Linux.
- when I choose linux, the machine then reboots from
scratch, and then gives me the same choice.
- an infinite loop.
- it should go into the grub menu.




Does anyone know how to get the dual boot to work?
What is the secret please?



I'll include some files and output here:

boot.ini:

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOW S
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Micro soft Windows XP
Professional" /fastdetect
c:\linux.bin="Redhat Linux"



df -k

Filesystem 1k-blocks Used Available Use% Mounted on
/dev/hdb6 5162796 135664 4764876 3% /
/dev/hdb5 101089 13364 82506 14% /boot
/dev/hdb8 5162796 32828 4867712 1% /home
/dev/hdb9 5162796 164200 4736340 4% /opt
/dev/hdb13 10325748 32828 9768400 1% /oracle
/dev/hdb14 11266328 32828 10661188 1% /oradata
none 385024 0 385024 0% /dev/shm
/dev/hdb12 5162796 33536 4867004 1% /tmp
/dev/hdb10 10325748 1358136 8443092 14% /usr
/dev/hdb11 5162796 60248 4840292 2% /var
/dev/fd0 1423 10 1414 1% /mnt/floppy



file LIsting of /boot

total 9007
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 5824 Jun 24 2001 boot.b
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 0 Nov 30 22:50 boot.txt
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 612 Jun 24 2001 chain.b
drwxr-xr-x 2 root root 1024 Nov 30 17:30 grub
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 125307 Nov 30 17:03
initrd-2.4.9-e.3.img
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 123149 Nov 30 17:02
initrd-2.4.9-e.3smp.img
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 14 Nov 30 17:02 kernel.h ->
kernel.h-2.4.9
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 405 Nov 30 17:02 kernel.h-2.4.9
drwx------ 2 root root 12288 Nov 30 16:54 lost+found
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 23108 Jun 24 2001 message
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 21 Nov 30 17:03 module-info ->
module-info-2.4.9-e.3
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 13599 May 3 2002
module-info-2.4.9-e.3
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 13599 May 3 2002
module-info-2.4.9-e.3smp
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 640 Jun 24 2001 os2_d.b
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 20 Nov 30 17:03 System.map ->
System.map-2.4.9-e.3
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 444721 May 3 2002
System.map-2.4.9-e.3
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 466091 May 3 2002
System.map-2.4.9-e.3smp
-rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 2767809 May 3 2002
vmlinux-2.4.9-e.3
-rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 3097034 May 3 2002
vmlinux-2.4.9-e.3smp
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 17 Nov 30 17:03 vmlinuz ->
vmlinuz-2.4.9-e.3
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 997736 May 3 2002
vmlinuz-2.4.9-e.3
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 1073371 May 3 2002
vmlinuz-2.4.9-e.3smp



file listing of /boot/grub

total 239
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 82 Nov 30 17:30 device.map
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 10848 Nov 30 17:30 e2fs_stage1_5
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 9744 Nov 30 17:30 fat_stage1_5
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 8864 Nov 30 17:30 ffs_stage1_5
-rw------- 1 root root 738 Nov 30 17:30 grub.conf
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 11 Nov 30 17:30 menu.lst ->
../grub.conf
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 9248 Nov 30 17:30 minix_stage1_5
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 12512 Nov 30 17:30
reiserfs_stage1_5
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 54044 Sep 5 2001 splash.xpm.gz
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 512 Nov 30 17:30 stage1
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 120000 Nov 30 17:30 stage2
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 8512 Nov 30 17:30
vstafs_stage1_5




grub.conf: (- although, it ever gets this far)

# grub.conf generated by anaconda
#
# Note that you do not have to rerun grub after making changes to this
file
# NOTICE: You have a /boot partition. This means that
# all kernel and initrd paths are relative to /boot/, eg.
# root (hd1,4)
# kernel /vmlinuz-version ro root=/dev/hdb6
# initrd /initrd-version.img
#boot=/dev/hdb5
default=0
timeout=10
splashimage=(hd1,4)/grub/splash.xpm.gz
title Red Hat Linux Advanced Server (2.4.9-e.3smp)
root (hd1,4)
kernel /vmlinuz-2.4.9-e.3smp ro root=/dev/hdb6 hdd=ide-scsi
initrd /initrd-2.4.9-e.3smp.img
title Red Hat Linux Advanced Server-up (2.4.9-e.3)
root (hd1,4)
kernel /vmlinuz-2.4.9-e.3 ro root=/dev/hdb6 hdd=ide-scsi
initrd /initrd-2.4.9-e.3.img

linuxquestion@yahoo.com wrote:
> Dear experts,
>
> I have succeed at this before, but I am really stumped
> now, so I hope that someone will be able to tell me
> the secret to fix this.
>
>
> Computer:
> Dell 4550. XP Professional.
> Dual hard drives.
> Primary, C: XP only 80 gigs.
> Secondary. For Redhat 2.1 120 gigs
> First partition is extended, then logical /boot
>
>
> Now here is something important. When I bought this
> machine, the primary/only hard drive had two
> partitions in it. The first partition had no drive
> letter assigned and was about 30 megs. It had hardware
> diagnosis software, etc on it. The second partition was
> the C: drive. 80 gigs. I was able to get this to
> dual boot with grub, by overwriting the MBR. That
> actually worked quite well.

You don't need the 30 gig partition. Format the drives with one or more
partitions large enough for installing the OS.
Install XP to the primary hard drive.
Then install Redhat placing Grub on the second hard drive with Redhat.
Personally, I would use the boot floppy method for booting Redhat and leave
the XP bootloader intact. Makes it easier if you need to reinstall either
OS.
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
xpnews@bogusmichaelstevenstech.com
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outloo...snewreader.htm

<linuxquestion@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:672ceaed.0411302032.505849f3@posting.google.c om...
> Dear experts,
>
> I have succeed at this before, but I am really stumped
> now, so I hope that someone will be able to tell me
> the secret to fix this.
>
>
> Computer:
> Dell 4550. XP Professional.
> Dual hard drives.
> Primary, C: XP only 80 gigs.
> Secondary. For Redhat 2.1 120 gigs
> First partition is extended, then logical /boot
>
>

Some versions of Linux have a problem if the /boot partition is beyond 1023
cylinders on its drive.

Norm

Norm Dresner wrote:

> Some versions of Linux have a problem if the /boot partition is beyond 1023
> cylinders on its drive.


..... that's actually a limitation of the BIOS
--
<< http://michaeljtobler.homelinux.com/ >>
Don't look back, the lemmings are gaining on you.

"Michael Stevens" <mstevens@bogusmvps.org> wrote in message news:<OnZZiI21EHA.2824@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl>...
> linuxquestion@yahoo.com wrote:
> > Dear experts,
> >
> > I have succeed at this before, but I am really stumped
> > now, so I hope that someone will be able to tell me
> > the secret to fix this.
> >
> >
> > Computer:
> > Dell 4550. XP Professional.
> > Dual hard drives.
> > Primary, C: XP only 80 gigs.
> > Secondary. For Redhat 2.1 120 gigs
> > First partition is extended, then logical /boot
> >
> >
> > Now here is something important. When I bought this
> > machine, the primary/only hard drive had two
> > partitions in it. The first partition had no drive
> > letter assigned and was about 30 megs. It had hardware
> > diagnosis software, etc on it. The second partition was
> > the C: drive. 80 gigs. I was able to get this to
> > dual boot with grub, by overwriting the MBR. That
> > actually worked quite well.
>
> You don't need the 30 gig partition. Format the drives with one or more
> partitions large enough for installing the OS.
> Install XP to the primary hard drive.
> Then install Redhat placing Grub on the second hard drive with Redhat.
> Personally, I would use the boot floppy method for booting Redhat and leave
> the XP bootloader intact. Makes it easier if you need to reinstall either
> OS.


All that was done successfully before Mike.

I'm posting, because what I did previously, is not successful
this time.

You have to read to the end to see the current symptoms.

The small partition was 30 megs, not gigs. The machine was shipped
to me that way.

linuxquestion@yahoo.com wrote:

> All that was done successfully before Mike.
>
> I'm posting, because what I did previously, is not successful
> this time.
>
> You have to read to the end to see the current symptoms.
>
> The small partition was 30 megs, not gigs.**The*machine*was*shipped
> to me that way.

Your first post was very long. This one is terse. Could you rephrase the
question? Maybe put the important stuff first to catch our attention.

--
OS squared: open software times open standards.

linuxquestion@yahoo.com wrote:
> "Michael Stevens" <mstevens@bogusmvps.org> wrote in message
> news:<OnZZiI21EHA.2824@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl>...
>> linuxquestion@yahoo.com wrote:
>>> Dear experts,
>>>
>>> I have succeed at this before, but I am really stumped
>>> now, so I hope that someone will be able to tell me
>>> the secret to fix this.
>>>
>>>
>>> Computer:
>>> Dell 4550. XP Professional.
>>> Dual hard drives.
>>> Primary, C: XP only 80 gigs.
>>> Secondary. For Redhat 2.1 120 gigs
>>> First partition is extended, then logical /boot
>>>
>>>
>>> Now here is something important. When I bought this
>>> machine, the primary/only hard drive had two
>>> partitions in it. The first partition had no drive
>>> letter assigned and was about 30 megs. It had hardware
>>> diagnosis software, etc on it. The second partition was
>>> the C: drive. 80 gigs. I was able to get this to
>>> dual boot with grub, by overwriting the MBR. That
>>> actually worked quite well.
>>
>> You don't need the 30 gig partition. Format the drives with one or
>> more partitions large enough for installing the OS.
>> Install XP to the primary hard drive.
>> Then install Redhat placing Grub on the second hard drive with
>> Redhat. Personally, I would use the boot floppy method for booting
>> Redhat and leave the XP bootloader intact. Makes it easier if you
>> need to reinstall either OS.
>
>
> All that was done successfully before Mike.
>
> I'm posting, because what I did previously, is not successful
> this time.
>
> You have to read to the end to see the current symptoms.
>
> The small partition was 30 megs, not gigs. The machine was shipped
> to me that way.

The gigs was a typo, and you changed the hard drives so why do you need or
is it necessary to have the 30 meg partition. I don't think you tried what I
suggested.
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
xpnews@bogusmichaelstevenstech.com
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outloo...snewreader.htm

Michael Stevens wrote:

>> The small partition was 30 megs, not gigs.**The*machine*was*shipped
>> to me that way.
>
> The gigs was a typo, and you changed the hard drives so why do you need or
> is it necessary to have the 30 meg partition.


.... many computers come with that hidden 30 meg partition:
it is a MAINTENANCE partition, with tools to check the
machine out: memory test, disk test, etc.
--
<< http://michaeljtobler.homelinux.com/ >>
There once was a Scot named McAmeter
With a tool of prodigious diameter.
It was not the size
That cause such surprise;
'Twas his rhythm -- iambic pentameter.

Actually ... Yes, I did try what you suggested.

I had actually done everything that you suggested even before I
made the first posting. As detailed in the post.

Does anyone have any ideas, based on the detail that I have given?




"Michael Stevens" <mstevens@bogusmvps.org> wrote in message news:<eBP3Ow81EHA.3616@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl>...
> linuxquestion@yahoo.com wrote:
> > "Michael Stevens" <mstevens@bogusmvps.org> wrote in message
> > news:<OnZZiI21EHA.2824@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl>...
> >> linuxquestion@yahoo.com wrote:
> >>> Dear experts,
> >>>
> >>> I have succeed at this before, but I am really stumped
> >>> now, so I hope that someone will be able to tell me
> >>> the secret to fix this.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> Computer:
> >>> Dell 4550. XP Professional.
> >>> Dual hard drives.
> >>> Primary, C: XP only 80 gigs.
> >>> Secondary. For Redhat 2.1 120 gigs
> >>> First partition is extended, then logical /boot
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> Now here is something important. When I bought this
> >>> machine, the primary/only hard drive had two
> >>> partitions in it. The first partition had no drive
> >>> letter assigned and was about 30 megs. It had hardware
> >>> diagnosis software, etc on it. The second partition was
> >>> the C: drive. 80 gigs. I was able to get this to
> >>> dual boot with grub, by overwriting the MBR. That
> >>> actually worked quite well.
> >>
> >> You don't need the 30 gig partition. Format the drives with one or
> >> more partitions large enough for installing the OS.
> >> Install XP to the primary hard drive.
> >> Then install Redhat placing Grub on the second hard drive with
> >> Redhat. Personally, I would use the boot floppy method for booting
> >> Redhat and leave the XP bootloader intact. Makes it easier if you
> >> need to reinstall either OS.
> >
> >
> > All that was done successfully before Mike.
> >
> > I'm posting, because what I did previously, is not successful
> > this time.
> >
> > You have to read to the end to see the current symptoms.
> >
> > The small partition was 30 megs, not gigs. The machine was shipped
> > to me that way.
>
> The gigs was a typo, and you changed the hard drives so why do you need or
> is it necessary to have the 30 meg partition. I don't think you tried what I
> suggested.

linuxquestion@yahoo.com wrote:
> Actually ... Yes, I did try what you suggested.
>
> I had actually done everything that you suggested even before I
> made the first posting. As detailed in the post.
>
> Does anyone have any ideas, based on the detail that I have given?
>
>
>

Just to humor me. LOL
Can you confirm you partitioned and formatted both hard drives so the
primary partitions were the location you set for the OS to install?
You first installed XP.
Then Redhat with Grub installed to same partition as Redhat.
You did not have a 30 meg primary partition on the primary hard drive.
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
xpnews@bogusmichaelstevenstech.com
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outloo...snewreader.htm