A couple weeks ago I attempted to install Centos5 to replace an increasingly decripit Fedora Core 1 installation. Centos went onto an 80GB piece of previously unallocated space on /dev/hda, using the default configuration offered by anaconda. The installation process went smoothly, however, I was unable to boot Centos when it completed due to "Grub failure." IOW, I never even got the boot loader to come up. I've never been a big fan of grub (I've always used lilo) and this hasn't impressed me. I was able to restore Fedora's lilo loader but I cannot persuade lilo to boot Centos, probably because the / filesystem is using LVM which I am not familiar with. It failed with a kernel panic trying to find things in /dev. I put it on the back shelf for a couple weeks and finally got back to it today. I wiped hda to give it a fresh base on which to install, and it installed fine once again -- no errors. But on reboot grub failed once again, getting as far as GRUB and then locking up, responding only to the RESET button. So I created a bootable grub CD and booted from that, fed it the Centos kernel and initrd and booted. Lots of "missing module" errors because (as it turns out) the Centos installer neglected to create the proper module tree in /lib/modules. But there was one for the xen kernel. WTF, I'll try that. Boot again and tried to tell grub to load the xen kernel: "invalid file format." Whatever. Booted the regular kernel and initrd again, gritting my teeth through all the errors and created a sym-link from the xen module tree to what should be the regular module tree. Rebooted again with the regular kernel and initrd. Fewer error messages this time, but still a fair number. I just wanted to get to the point were I could repair the missing modules. So the system comes up -- sort of. The modules that still couldn't load turned out to include those for my network card, so no network access. Nor could I mount any cds or the xfs file system on the raid array. Useless. Just frickin' useless. My low opinion of grub remains unchanged, and my opinion of Centos is following in the same direction. I spent the rest of the afternoon restoring Fedora off my backup tapes. Any clues what I did wrong? -- John (john@os2.dhs.org)

On 2007-11-06, Nico <nkadel@gmail.com> wrote: > Ouch. OK, I'm guessing that you left a grub boot loader lying around. No. Fedora was using lilo. I assumed that grub would be able to overwrite lilo's boot record. Apparently not. > By "did a clean install", do you mean that you scribbed the disk > completely with "dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/hdd" or whatever? I told anaconda to delete the existing filesystems and use the whole disk, following the prompts anaconda provided for this situation. > And did you by any chance try to install CentOS 5 *on top* of FC1? No. Anaconda reformated the disk before "installing" Centos. > There's a lot of missing detail. Do you have unusual hardware, such as > your disk controllers, and have you seen other hard drive issues? Did > you allow the CentOS 5 installer to build a new boot loader? The hardware is a dual PIII-600 with 768MB RAM, 2 IDE hard drives, a 5-device SCSI raid0 array, and 3 DLT SCSI tape drives. I told anaconda to install a new boot loader, but it seems to have done a half-assed job of it. starfleet description: Computer product: System Name vendor: System Manufacturer version: System Version serial: SYS-1234567890 width: 32 bits capabilities: dmi-2.0 *-core description: Motherboard product: P2B-DS vendor: ASUSTeK Computer INC. physical id: 0 version: REV 1.xx serial: MB-1234567890 slot: COM2 *-firmware description: BIOS vendor: Award Software, Inc. physical id: 0 version: ASUS P2B-DS ACPI BIOS Revision 1012B (03/03/00) size: 64KB capacity: 192KB *-cpu:0 description: CPU product: Pentium III (Katmai) vendor: Intel Corp. physical id: 4 bus info: cpu@0 version: 6.7.3 slot: SLOT 1 size: 600MHz width: 32 bits clock: 100MHz capabilities: fpu fpu_exception wp vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic sep mtrr pge mca cmov pat pse36 mmx fxsr sse *-cache:0 description: L1 cache physical id: 0 size: 32KB *-cache:1 description: L2 cache physical id: 1 size: 512KB *-memory description: System memory product: EDO PARITY DIMM Memory Controller physical id: 5 size: 1536MB capacity: 15EB *-bank:0 description: DIMM [empty] physical id: 0 slot: DIMM1-2 clock: 14MHz (70.0ns) *-bank:1 description: DIMM physical id: 1 slot: DIMM2-1 size: 256MB capacity: 256MB clock: 14MHz (70.0ns) *-bank:2 description: DIMM physical id: 2 slot: DIMM2-2 size: 256MB capacity: 256MB clock: 14MHz (70.0ns) *-bank:3 description: DIMM physical id: 3 slot: DIMM3-1 size: 256MB capacity: 256MB clock: 14MHz (70.0ns) *-bank:4 description: DIMM physical id: 4 slot: DIMM3-2 size: 256MB capacity: 256MB clock: 14MHz (70.0ns) *-bank:5 description: DIMM physical id: 5 slot: DIMM4-1 size: 256MB capacity: 256MB clock: 14MHz (70.0ns) *-bank:6 description: DIMM physical id: 6 slot: DIMM4-2 size: 256MB capacity: 256MB clock: 14MHz (70.0ns) *-cache:0 description: L1 cache physical id: e slot: L1 Cache size: 32KB capacity: 32KB capabilities: internal write-back *-cache:1 description: L2 cache physical id: f slot: L2 Cache size: 512KB capacity: 512KB capabilities: burst internal write-back *-cpu:1 product: Pentium III (Katmai) vendor: Intel Corp. physical id: 1 version: 6.7.3 size: 600MHz width: 32 bits capabilities: fpu fpu_exception wp vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic sep mtrr pge mca cmov pat pse36 mmx fxsr sse *-cache:0 description: L1 cache physical id: 0 size: 32KB *-cache:1 description: L2 cache physical id: 1 size: 512KB *-pci description: Host bridge product: 440BX/ZX/DX - 82443BX/ZX/DX Host bridge vendor: Intel Corp. physical id: 100 bus info: pci@0000:00:00.0 version: 03 width: 32 bits clock: 33MHz configuration: latency=64 resources: iomemory:e4000000-e7ffffff *-pci description: PCI bridge product: 440BX/ZX/DX - 82443BX/ZX/DX AGP bridge vendor: Intel Corp. physical id: 1 bus info: pci@0000:00:01.0 version: 03 width: 32 bits clock: 66MHz capabilities: pci normal_decode bus_master *-display description: VGA compatible controller product: NV6 [Vanta/Vanta LT] vendor: nVidia Corporation physical id: 0 bus info: pci@0000:01:00.0 version: 15 size: 32MB width: 32 bits clock: 66MHz capabilities: pm agp agp-2.0 vga bus_master cap_list configuration: latency=248 maxlatency=1 mingnt=5 irq:16 *-isa description: ISA bridge product: 82371AB/EB/MB PIIX4 ISA vendor: Intel Corp. physical id: 4 bus info: pci@0000:00:04.0 version: 02 width: 32 bits clock: 33MHz capabilities: isa bus_master configuration: latency=0 *-ide UNCLAIMED description: IDE interface product: 82371AB/EB/MB PIIX4 IDE vendor: Intel Corp. physical id: 4.1 bus info: pci@0000:00:04.1 version: 01 width: 32 bits clock: 33MHz capabilities: ide bus_master resources: ioport:d800-d80f *-usb:0 description: USB Controller product: 82371AB/EB/MB PIIX4 USB vendor: Intel Corp. physical id: 4.2 bus info: pci@0000:00:04.2 version: 01 width: 32 bits clock: 33MHz capabilities: uhci bus_master configuration: latency=64 resources: ioport:d400-d41f irq:19 *-usbhost product: USB UHCI Root Hub physical id: 1 bus info: usb@1 logical name: usb1 version: 0.00 capabilities: usb-1.00 configuration: driver=hub maxpower=0mA slots=2 speed=12.0MB/s *-bridge UNCLAIMED description: Bridge vendor: Intel Corp. physical id: 4.3 bus info: pci@0000:00:04.3 version: 02 width: 32 bits clock: 33MHz capabilities: bridge configuration: latency=0 resources: irq:9 *-scsi:0 description: SCSI storage controller product: AHA-2940U2/U2W / 7890/7891 vendor: Adaptec physical id: 6 bus info: pci@0000:00:06.0 logical name: scsi0 version: 00 width: 64 bits clock: 33MHz capabilities: scsi pm bus_master cap_list scsi-host configuration: driver=aic7xxx latency=64 maxlatency=25 mingnt=39 resources: iomemory:de800000-de800fff irq:19 description: SCSI Tape product: TZ88 (C) DEC vendor: DEC physical id: 0.3.0 bus info: scsi@0:0.3.0 logical name: /dev/nst0 logical name: /dev/st0 version: CD50 serial: JF71507063 capabilities: removable configuration: ansiversion=2 *-tape:1 description: SCSI Tape product: DLT2000 15/30 GB vendor: DEC physical id: 0.4.0 bus info: scsi@0:0.4.0 logical name: /dev/nst1 logical name: /dev/st1 version: 840B serial: JF71809807 capabilities: removable configuration: ansiversion=2 *-tape:2 description: SCSI Tape product: DLT4000 vendor: Quantum physical id: 0.5.0 bus info: scsi@0:0.5.0 logical name: /dev/nst2 logical name: /dev/st2 version: CD55 serial: CX731M2493 capabilities: removable configuration: ansiversion=2 *-usb:1 UNCLAIMED description: USB Controller product: VT6202 [USB 2.0 controller] vendor: VIA Technologies, Inc. physical id: 9 bus info: pci@0000:00:09.0 version: 61 width: 32 bits clock: 33MHz capabilities: pm uhci bus_master cap_list configuration: latency=64 resources: ioport:b800-b81f irq:19 *-usb:2 UNCLAIMED description: USB Controller product: VT6202 [USB 2.0 controller] vendor: VIA Technologies, Inc. physical id: 9.1 bus info: pci@0000:00:09.1 version: 61 width: 32 bits clock: 33MHz capabilities: pm uhci bus_master cap_list configuration: latency=64 resources: ioport:b400-b41f irq:16 *-usb:3 UNCLAIMED description: USB Controller product: USB 2.0 vendor: VIA Technologies, Inc. physical id: 9.2 bus info: pci@0000:00:09.2 version: 63 width: 32 bits clock: 33MHz capabilities: pm ehci bus_master cap_list configuration: latency=0 resources: iomemory:de000000-de0000ff irq:17 *-firewire UNCLAIMED description: FireWire (IEEE 1394) product: IEEE 1394 Host Controller vendor: VIA Technologies, Inc. physical id: 9.3 bus info: pci@0000:00:09.3 version: 46 width: 32 bits clock: 33MHz capabilities: pm ohci bus_master cap_list configuration: latency=0 maxlatency=32 resources: iomemory:dd800000-dd8007ff ioport:b000-b07f irq:19 *-scsi:1 description: SCSI storage controller product: AHA-2940U/UW/D / AIC-7881U vendor: Adaptec physical id: a bus info: pci@0000:00:0a.0 logical name: scsi1 version: 00 width: 32 bits clock: 33MHz capabilities: scsi bus_master scsi-host configuration: driver=aic7xxx latency=64 maxlatency=8 mingnt=8 resources: iomemory:dd000000-dd000fff irq:18 *-disk:0 description: SCSI Disk product: SX4464524 vendor: SEAGATE physical id: 0.0.0 bus info: scsi@1:0.0.0 logical name: /dev/sda version: B410 serial: LF113801 size: 43GB capabilities: 5400rpm partitioned partitioned:dos configuration: ansiversion=2 *-volume description: Linux raid autodetect partition physical id: 1 bus info: scsi@1:0.0.0,1 logical name: /dev/sda1 capacity: 43GB *-disk:1 description: SCSI Disk product: SX4464524 vendor: SEAGATE physical id: 0.1.0 bus info: scsi@1:0.1.0 logical name: /dev/sdb version: B410 serial: LF113956 size: 43GB capabilities: 5400rpm partitioned partitioned:dos configuration: ansiversion=2 *-volume description: Linux raid autodetect partition physical id: 1 bus info: scsi@1:0.1.0,1 logical name: /dev/sdb1 capacity: 43GB capabilities: primary bootable multi *-disk:2 description: SCSI Disk product: SX4464524 physical id: 0.2.0 bus info: scsi@1:0.2.0 logical name: /dev/sdc version: B410 serial: LF178451 size: 43GB capabilities: 5400rpm partitioned partitioned:dos configuration: ansiversion=2 *-volume description: Linux raid autodetect partition physical id: 1 bus info: scsi@1:0.2.0,1 logical name: /dev/sdc1 capacity: 43GB capabilities: primary bootable multi *-disk:3 description: SCSI Disk product: SX4464524 vendor: SEAGATE physical id: 0.3.0 bus info: scsi@1:0.3.0 logical name: /dev/sdd version: B410 serial: LF221805 size: 43GB capabilities: 5400rpm partitioned partitioned:dos configuration: ansiversion=2 *-volume description: Linux raid autodetect partition physical id: 1 bus info: scsi@1:0.3.0,1 logical name: /dev/sdd1 capacity: 43GB capabilities: primary bootable multi *-disk:4 description: SCSI Disk product: SX4464524 vendor: SEAGATE physical id: 0.4.0 bus info: scsi@1:0.4.0 logical name: /dev/cdwriter logical name: /dev/sde version: B410 serial: LF182636 capacity: 43GB capabilities: 5400rpm configuration: ansiversion=2 *-network description: Ethernet interface product: 82557/8/9 [Ethernet Pro 100] vendor: Intel Corp. physical id: b bus info: pci@0000:00:0b.0 logical name: eth0 version: 02 serial: 00:a0:c9:92:52:10 size: 100MB/s capacity: 100MB/s width: 32 bits clock: 33MHz capabilities: bus_master ethernet physical tp mii 10bt 10bt-fd 100bt 100bt-fd autonegotiation configuration: autonegotiation=on broadcast=yes driver=e100 driverversion=2.3.43-k1 duplex=full firmware=N/A ip=192.168.0.2 latency=64 link=yes maxlatency=56 mingnt=8 multicast=yes port=twisted pair speed=100MB/s resources: iomemory:e1000000-e1000fff ioport:a400-a41f iomemory:dc800000-dc8fffff irq:17 -- John (john@os2.dhs.org)