[tlinux-users:07816] Re: Installing SuSE 10.0: kernel loads but CD-ROM won't mount

Christopher R. Hertel wrote:
> Okay...  If I have this right (and I get confused about this stuff), here's
> what happens when you boot to the installation system:
> 
> - During the system boot, the BIOS (not the OS, which isn't loaded yet)
>   recognizes the CD-ROM as a boot device and reads the initial software
>   from the CD-ROM.  It places that software into memory and then runs it.
> 
> - That initial software, in this case, is the installation system.  The
>   installation system is a basic Linux kernel with as many drivers compiled
>   into it as possible... so that it can work with the widest variety of
>   hardware.
> 
> - After asking you about the keyboard, the installation system will need
>   to run additional programs, or load additional data.  Those are on the
>   CD-ROM.
> 
> So... the point is that discussion is that the BIOS recognizes the CD-ROM
> and can load the system, but the loaded Linux kernel doesn't have a driver
> that works with the specific CD-ROM drive so it can't access the CD-ROM
> that you just used.
> 
> Note that Windows can have that problem too.  If you've ever had to press
> F6 during a Windows installation, you know what I mean.
> 
> The good news is that there is probably a work-around.
> 
> The SuSE installation disk comes with addition drivers which can be loaded
> as kernel modules.  They're on the disk, and the only problem is that you
> have to figure out which one is the right one to use.
> 
> The only other problem is that I can't remember how you get to the
> text-mode screen that allows you to load additional drivers.  You may
> need to do some googling.
> 
> Best of luck.
> 
> Chris -)-----
> 
One slight difference - the kernel does not have all the drivers
built in - instead there is an initial RAM disk that has a fairly
wide selection of drivers on it. This has a couple of advantages -
the first is that the kernel is smaller, and works with a wider
variety of hardware. It also lets you change the drivers supported
by specifying a different initrd.img at boot time.

I would be surprised if the CD-ROM drivers for the 440CDT were not
in the standard kernel. On the other hand, I don't think that it has
enough memory for SuSe 10. "Main memory: At least 256 MB; 512 MB
recommended" So you may want to look at one of distributions
designed for smaller machines. If you still want to try to install
SuSe, there are a couple of things you can try. The first is to try
booting off the second CD instead of the first. Most distributions
have a different kernel on the second CD that is configured
differently from the one on the main CD to support different
hardware. You can also look into the advanced boot options. They
sometimes help. On a few machines, I have had to help the kernel in
detecting the CD ROM. This is especially true if the CD is jumpered
as Slave on an interface that does not have a Master on it. You can
try adding hdd=cdrom or hdc=cdrom to the command line and see if
that helps.

At least you can boot from CD-ROM. I have installed Linux on a
400CDT, and that requires booting from a floppy, as the BIOS does
not support booting from CD-ROM.

Mikkel
-- 

  Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons,
for thou art crunchy and taste good with Ketchup!