Can't Boot

English Install/Boot/Login
1

I turned m old Windows XP machine into a Linux after Windows crashed and I could not recover. The C drive failed and was junked. I had a spare IDE 160 GB drive installed in the computer as drive E. When I removed the old C I installed the master jumper in the E drive and connected it to the old IDE ribbon connector I took off the broken C drive.

I then installed openSUSE and set it up with the DVD still installed. I did not reboot. When the update program asked me to reboot so I removed the DVD and rebooted. I get “Error loading operating system” I am sure it is a BIOS problem. Maybe the HD is not bootable? Would the openSUSE installer not have done this for me? How can I do it now?

The HD is the only one installed and used to be labeled “E” when the machine was Windows XP. I put the master jumper in and plugged it into the machine using the IDE cable that I took off the old dead “C” drive. The openSUSE installer found the HD but I don’t know if it renamed it (or made it bootable). Everything worked until I rebooted but now it cannot find the HD.

2

Try again
Make sure the HD is on the main connector of the IDE ribbon.

What I suggest is you follow the install and at this point
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/10573557/11.4_DVD_Install/9.Installer_suggests_partitions.jpg
Click ‘Create Partition setup’

Then at the next screen: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/10573557/11.4_DVD_Install/10.Custom.jpg
Select the option 1
Which will allow openSUSE to use the entire HD

Then just accept the defaults

*Forget any ideas about C D E or anything else. That windows mumbo jumbo.

3

I will try this tomorrow. What about the boot order in BIOS? It was CD ROM first and C second. Should I leave it as that? When it would not boot I tried every order I could think of.

4

Yes
CD drive first allows you to install
Once installed remove the CD

If there is only the one HD remaining - If you follow my directions, the installer will format the HD so you will have 3 partitions
swap
root
/home

If you do as I describe the install proposal should look like this under the section ‘Booting’
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/10573557/11.4_Install/10_Install_Proposal.jpg

Notice the lines:
Location /dev/sda2
Boot from “/” is enabled

It should work like that.

If it doesn’t. I suggest you re-visit the jumper on the HD and make sure it’s Master
or try Cable Select or even remove it altogether.

5

Thanks for the help. I ensured everything was the way you listed but it still would not recognize the HD. I have quit working on this system for now as we are leaving the country for six months for our annual RV trip to Mexico. When we get home in April I will try again. Until then, thanks.

6

No worries
Safe trip