Re: [Newbie] forum post?

This is probably better posted to the main list as it isn't really a
newbie post. I have crossposted to newbie in case Mark is only on the
newbie list.

On Sat, 2005-12-10 at 09:15 +1100, Mark Aitken wrote:
> Hi People, I have posted this on the MLUG forum thinking it would appear 
> on the mailing lists, dont know why I thought that  (??).
> 
> Anyway, please accept my apologies for the "double" post but I really 
> would like to solve my problem.
> 
> =======================forum post 
> follows=================================================
> 
> Hi People, I have been doing some asking and research into installing 
> Fedora Core 3 (or any late distro) onto a Compaq Proliant 4500 Server.
> 4 x 100 MHz CPU
> 512M RAM
> 7 x 2.1 G HDD Raid Array (external)
> 
> At first FC3 install CD1 would boot but report "not enough memory to 
> install linux", I discovered the "linux memmap=512M@16M" option at boot 
> time and at least I got past that hurdle, only to reach another. The 
> system appears to have a memory dump and freeze, that is, it displays a 
> lot of hex strings on the screen but goes no further?.
> 
> That was the first time I added the memmap= string, now, I get a Kernel 
> panic "cant find VFS" or similat display.
> 
> I also know that ahead of me it the need to get the Smart Array RAID 
> card running under linux but I cant even get that far.
> 
> Please. Can anyone assist in jumping these hurdles?
> 
> I know the system works as it has NT4 Server running on it, but as yet, 
> IT dept from work, where I got the old server, cant tell me the password 
> to log onto NT4. I would sooned a linux installation.
> 
> Thanks for any help you can offer.
> 
> Mark

You may be in a situation where you will be needing to compile your own
kernel. The Compaq Smart Array card is under block devices in the kernel
configuration.

If you can fit an IDE disk to the machine to start with then life will
be a lot easier as you can load your distro as normal and then add in
support for the Smart Array later.

Additionally, there is a wealth of information at

http://www.cpqlinux.com/Linux-Installation-Guide.html#STORAGE

if you haven't already visited.

By the way, there is an NT4 password reset utility which is a linux boot
disk which can help you with your password problem. I have successfully
used it on a number of occasions. I believe the link is
http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/

-- 
Andrew Laird <[email protected]>