Mandrake Linux 9.0

Hi.
First off, I would like to say that this is my first time using Linux. I already have Windows ME on one 20Gb partition. I downloaded all three CDs of Mandrake Linux 9.0 in ISO format. I burned them to three CDs using Nero. On bootup, I inserted the first CD and installed it using the recommended method. I created a 1Gb Linux Swap Partition, and a 5Gb EX3 Partition for Linux. Drivers aren't supported for my modem/network. :angry: Anyway, GNU was supposed to automatically configure a dual boot method for WinME & Linux on startup. It didn't. I can only boot into Linux. Linux obviously can't read the other FAT32 partition for WinME. I was wondering if there is Linux software that can configure this. :blink: If not, can I use a Windows bootup disk to format that Linux partition to start all over? Thanks.

Linux support all partition from DOS to NTFS. If you can't in Windows, maybe can in DOS? Anyway on startup is run LILO, and there is ordinary this:

LINUX
LINUX something
DOS or WINDOWS
FLOPPY

what you see on boot? maybe can help you with posting a LILO's default configuration file? i use mandrake 9.0 and before 8.1 for long time (i'm not an big linux expert)... but i can try help you... if you understand me ... ;)

Ok, needed or not, here is my lilo.conf:

you may edit this if you logon as root, this file is /etc/lilo.conf

boot=/dev/hda
map=/boot/map
vga=normal
default=linux
keytable=/boot/slovene.klt
prompt
nowarn
timeout=100
message=/boot/message
menu-scheme=wb:bw:wb:bw
ignore-table
image=/boot/vmlinuz
label=linux
root=/dev/hda7
initrd=/boot/initrd.img
append="quiet devfs=mount hdc=ide-scsi"
vga=788
read-only
image=/boot/vmlinuz
label=linux-nonfb
root=/dev/hda7
initrd=/boot/initrd.img
append="devfs=mount hdc=ide-scsi"
read-only
image=/boot/vmlinuz
label=failsafe
root=/dev/hda7
initrd=/boot/initrd.img
append="failsafe devfs=nomount hdc=ide-scsi"
read-only
other=/dev/hda1
label=windows
table=/dev/hda
other=/dev/fd0
label=floppy
unsafe

As can you see, i have on startup this:

LINUX
LINUX-NONFB
WINDOWS
FLOPPY

try modifiy your lilo.conf file and when you are done, run command in console as root:

lilo

this will add your corrections in boot ... or something like that

ok... :) that's all

Thanks for the help. :) I like the feel and stability of Linux. I will try changing the config.

I logged in as root and looked in /dev and found out what hda partition extensions I have. I used the same hard drive hda extention, but tried different hda partition extenstions. None of them worked. I did use the lilo command in Konsole before I restarted. I even replaced the failsafe other with the windows other! Is there a program that can configure this? Please help. Thanks.

You people are doing it all wrong, you need to get on kazaa and download Partition Manager, it includes a boot-manager called "Boot magic", and pch , a 1gb swap is too big if you ask me, and you dont even need all 3 .ISO files , all you need is one, Trust me i have XP pro, Mandrake and RED Hat all on one pc.
Create your partitions w/Partition Mgr. then install linux onto the partition you created, Linux will do the rest if you install "BOOT MAGIC"!!

You make it sound so easy, but it's not. I can't access the WinME partition to do anything. I don't want to format all partitions. Explain the swap to me. I made it small just out of guess. Does "Partition Mgr." run in Linux? If it does, that would be highly convenient.

It is pretty easy once you get used to linux. You don't need boot magic use Grub or Lilo. Your swap partiton should be twice the amount of ram you have. To acces a fat32 partition you need to edit /etc/fstab. Add this line to it /dev/hda1 /mnt/hda1 vfat user,auto,umask=000 0 0 then in console type mkdir /mnt/hda1(enter) mount /dev/hda1(enter) then you should see your windows partition in /mnt/hda1. Hope this helps, if you need more help post back.

My RAM is 512Mb PC133 SDRAM, so my swap size is fine. Thanks for the explanation, Sid. I'll try the mount command.

OK. I found out why Windows wouldn't list on the bootup list. I didn't state the lilo command in Konsole, I did it in Command. :( I fixed it, but when I choose the Windows option, it says 'Loading Windows...' and remains at a black DOS screen. I found out the following through FSTAB:
HDA: The physical hard drive
HDA1: 5Gb Linux EX3 partition
HDA2: 14Gb FAT32 WinME partition
HDA5: 1Gb Swap
How should I configure the mounting and lilo.config for this to work?

Quote:

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Originally posted by pch@9 February 2003 - 05:00
the failsafe other with the windows other! Is there a program that can configure this?

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try this command: linuxconf
with this program you can define all disks and mounting stuff... it's take care of lilo and fstab config data.

You people can do it the "HARD WAY" i'll just sit back and watch , LoL

Quote:

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Originally posted by I_DONT_SHARE_PORN@9 February 2003 - 21:14
You people can do it the "HARD WAY" i'll just sit back and watch , LoL

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LOL

ADSLpredator, you&#39;ve been most helpful. Thank you. :) I_DONT_SHARE_PORN, if you are such an expert then why aren&#39;t you giving me ultimate tips? <_< :lol:

Apparently, &#39;linuxconf&#39; is not a command under Konsole or Command in Mandrake Linux because I don&#39;t have the file. It is a program. I will try downloading it, and placing it under /sbin.

add
/dev/hda1 /mnt/hda1 vfat user,auto,umask=000 0 0

to your etc/fstab. that should mount your win me partition.

now to dual booting. where did you load lilo or grub to?

I would load it on your root partition /dev/hda1

then i would use this guide to use your windows bootloader to choose your os.

it may seen the long way around but it works a treat for me :lol:

Another good system manager:

from console: webmin

from internet browser: https://localhost:10000

here is homepage if do you not have this

http://www.webmin.com

very good stuff for system settings :)

4Play, I added that line to lilo.conf. I don&#39;t know what you mean by loading lilo.conf into /dev/hda1. /dev/hda1 is a partition [or block if you will]. It&#39;s not a folder. All I did for lilo was open Konsole, and type in &#39;lilo&#39;. And the web site you posted assumes that I can access Windows for boot.ini. I cannot access Windows. ADSLpredator, I cannot use http://localhost:10000 because I do not have Internet access through my network. I want to use WinME to do so. Thank you all. :)

you get the option to load lilo into any partition that you like.

and the line should have been added to /dev/fstab

get yourself a bootable floppy and load it that way then edit your masterboot record so only windows loads and then follow the guide to boot linux.

1)install lilo to /dev/hda1
2)go to konsole and type dd if=/dev/hda1 of=bootsect.lnx bs=512 count=1
3)move the bootsec.lnx file in your home directory to the root of your windows drive
4)the boot up windows with your win me cd and run the mbrfix command in the recovery console.
5) boot up windows and add c:&#092;bootsect.lnx="Linux" to your boot.ini file that is in the root of your drive all done.

hope this helps.

A Windows bootable floppy? How do I install lilo to /dev/hda1? I cannot access my Windows partition.

Quote:

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Originally posted by pch@10 February 2003 - 00:21
I_DONT_SHARE_PORN, if you are such an expert then why aren&#39;t you giving me ultimate tips? <_< :lol:

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I gave you the only tip you need , i said create a partition for linux by using "Partition Magic" it runs under all versions of windoze, including windoze Me <Evil , after you create the partition , boot up with the linux disk and choose to install linux on a ext2 partition that you have created with you guessed it > "Partition Magic", remember to install "Boot Magic" after you install "Partition Magic"&#33;&#33; so you can choose wihich OS to boot... How hard is that??

And another thing , you are talking about not being able to access your windows partition, THIS IS BECAUSE IT IS NOT SET ACTIVE , if you take my expert advice , you can run partition magic on either on a Emergency Boot Disk in dos mode , or In the windows environment, to change partitions to ACTIVE or HIDDEN&#33;, or you can also type FDISK at the dos command line , this will let you set ACTIVE partitions, if you cant access windoze&#33;&#33;

I did this same thing, but I first partitioned my disk through Windows using Partition Magic and then installed Linux on the partition. When it booted, a screen came up where I could select DOS (Windows) or Linux (this was with Red Hat, if it makes a difference).

Quote:

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Originally posted by TheLabel@10 February 2003 - 03:15
I did this same thing, but I first partitioned my disk through Windows using Partition Magic and then installed Linux on the partition. When it booted, a screen came up where I could select DOS (Windows) or Linux (this was with Red Hat, if it makes a difference).

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That&#39;s what i&#39;ve been trying to explain to theese yahoo&#39;s&#33;&#33;

Quote:

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Originally posted by I_DONT_SHARE_PORN+--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (I_DONT_SHARE_PORN)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>That&#39;s what i&#39;ve been trying to explain to theese yahoo&#39;s&#33;&#33; [/b]

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im more of google man myself ;)

anyway what the label is talking about is the lilo bootloader that red hat installed for him. he said nothing about any boot magic program. there are plenty of ways to dual boot thats why people get confused.

pch has installed linux and killed his master boot record with lilo im presuming so sticking another bootload into the fray will probably not help.

<!--QuoteBegin--pch
A Windows bootable floppy? How do I install lilo to /dev/hda1? I cannot access my Windows partition. [/quote]

use your win me installation cd and get to a console through the recovery option. I hope win me has it.

type help and look for a command called mbrfix or something along those lines. then let it fix your mbr and windows will bott again.

Just figured I should mention that it is recomended by partition magic that you don&#39;t make a swap file over 500 megs even if you have more than that in ram.....Although I doubt it really matters.

Quote:

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Originally posted by 4play@10 February 2003 - 17:00
pch has installed linux and killed his master boot record with lilo im presuming so sticking another bootload into the fray will probably not help.

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Like i stated above, the ME partition is not destroyed, it is simply not set ACTIVE&#33;&#33;
Once again run FDISK if you can , if you cant do that , I SMELL A FORMAT..,
and yea, a Linux swap should not be over 500 MB.

my linux swap partition is set at 800 mb and i have no problems with it. still i may be wasting space. :lol:

I have never heard of a boot record not being set active. how could the master boot record not be the place that the bios first looks for to boot your system <_<

a format is normally the last resort. and i do not think it is needed here if you can just boot into linux why not play around with the bootloader you are using which would be lilo or grb and add windows in there.

im sure mandrake has a few little tools to help you edit lilo and help install it.

if not go to the konsole and type lilo /help and see what it gives you throw it a few arguements and see what it does. it is good learning the hard way sometimes. ;)

Quote:

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Originally posted by 4play@11 February 2003 - 00:03
I have never heard of a boot record not being set active. how could the master boot record not be the place that the bios first looks for to boot your system <_<

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lilo will set the M&#036; partition to HIDDEN, only one OS is visable to the computer
at a time , thus it sets partitions ACTIVE or HIDDEN.

OK. I tried to set the 14Gb FAT32 WinME partition active through FDISK, but it failed. So I created a 14Gb FAT32 primary DOS partition through FDISK. I deleted my Linux EX3 partition through FDISK. I formatted it and reinstalled Windows ME. :( I downloaded PM8 and have a question. What partition extension should Mandrake Linux be? EXT2 or EXT3? Should I use PM8&#39;s &#39;Install an OS&#39; option, or should I retry manually? Thank you all for your posts. ^_^

Quote:

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Originally posted by pch@11 February 2003 - 02:51
What partition extension should Mandrake Linux be? EXT2 or EXT3? Should I use PM8&#39;s &#39;Install an OS&#39; option, or should I retry manually?

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ok now youre getting somewhere, do you have PM8 installed , if so install BOOT MAGIC,
Linux goes on the EXT2 filesystem, and yeah choose PM8&#39;s "add a new os option"&#33;

Quick response. :o I do have PM8 installed. What is the main difference between EXT2 and EXT3?

PM8, will reccomend ext2 so choose this&#33;&#33;&#33;