Well hello there. I’m pretty new to linux, but I know a fair amount about the OS. I really like openSuSE, and I was trying to install 11.2 on my laptop, completely blank hdd. It installed just fine; I used the default options (the partition scheme was /boot, swap, root, /home) and started the desktop without a hitch. However, when I restarted, my BIOS would not even recognize an OS on the hard drive. I was also unable to boot using the installation DVD. I tried to use the repair feature, and I would either get a message saying that the boot loader was corrupt, and could not be repaired, or that the package database didn’t match the version of openSUSE installed. I’ve tried re-installing multiple times, all with the same results. I have tried different partition schemes and I’ve tried different booting settings, such as enabling boot from root or /boot partition. Please help, I don’t want to use Ubuntu 
Hi,
I read your posting carefully, and found some points illolgical.
However, this doesn’t mean to say that you wouldn’t have problems.
You wrote:
‘I was also unable to boot using the installation DVD. I tried to use the repair feature, and I would either get a message saying that the boot loader was corrupt, and could not be repaired, or that the package database didn’t match the version of openSUSE installed.’
The Point not logical:
You MUST have been able to boot from the installation DVD,
otherwise you wouldn’t have been able to use the repair feature.
Just be fussy writing about the details. That helps others
helping you.
Another question:
Did you try to customize the system to be installed to your needs
before the installation itself ?
Try first to install the default system, and then look for
updates, additional installations, or modifications.
A personal advice:
If you’re new to openSUSE, you could have a look at the
openSUSE 11.1 distribution with KDE 3.5 desktop.
That desktop can be chosen during the installation of
openSUSE 11.1 (not openSUSE 11.2) by selecting
‘further desktops’ during the installation (may be a similar term,
don’t know the exact term, because I’m not using an english SUSE).
Good luck !
Yes sorry… I meant to say that I was unable to boot the hard drive from the installation DVD. And what do mean by customize? I tried to install from the LXDE live cd, but the LXDE file manager interrupted the installation when the partitions were mounted.
-
Did you use a CD or a DVD or both and for which action?
-
Did you check the integrity of the optical device you did install from?
-
Was the device used for repairing the same as for installation?
Greetings
pistazienfresser
Hi fxb9500,
there is a basic difference between a (live) CD and a DVD:
a DVD has room for more than 4 GB, a CD has room for at max
0.7 GB.
So if you’re using a (live) CD (you write about ‘LXDE live cd’),
the amount of software included on it will usually be quite limited.
You write ‘… but the LXDE file manager interrupted the installation
when the partitions were mounted.’
Are these partitions OK ?
Whenever you have openSUSE running, then using YAST
(usually accessible through the SUSE menus opening at the
lower left corner) and then within YAST using the partitioner,
would make it possible to have a look at the partitions that are
actually existing (or are created/deleted).
But it seems that you don’t have any OS running from your HD.
Running an installation from a usual installer DVD, the partitioner
is called as well during the configuration of the harddisks/partitions
(the user frequenly will not notify that the partitioner is running).
When just wanting to have a look at the partitions, then the version
of openSUSE installer DVD doesn’t even matter that much
if the installation is aborted after having had a look at the partitions
(at least openSUSE 10.2 through 11.2 will work).
Good luck !
Hmpf, forgot sth.:
the installer may modify the partition setup according to its needs.
So running an installation DVD you may in the end not see that
much of your existing partitions.
Perhaps running a command line tool from a Linux rescue system
may be better, but I’m not an expert here.
Things aren’t easy if you don’t have any complete OS running.
Good luck !
fxb9500 wrote:
> when I restarted, my BIOS would not even recognize an OS on the
> hard drive. I was also unable to boot using the installation DVD.
> I tried to use the repair feature, and I would either get a message
> saying that the boot loader was corrupt, and could not be repaired,
> or that the package database didn’t match the version of openSUSE
> installed.
it sounds a lot like you may have a corrupted install disk…
Did you:
- get your install image from http://software.opensuse.org/112/en ?
(if not, then where?) - check the md5sum of the downloaded iso?
- do this http://tinyurl.com/yajm2aq before install attempt?
if you answered “no” (or “don’t know”) to any of those then see the
following cites before you start over:
http://en.opensuse.org/Download_Help
http://tinyurl.com/yhf65pv
http://tinyurl.com/ycly3eg
–
DenverD (Linux Counter 282315)
CAVEAT: http://is.gd/bpoMD
posted via NNTP w/TBird 2.0.0.23 | KDE 3.5.7 | openSUSE 10.3
2.6.22.19-0.4-default SMP i686
AMD Athlon 1 GB RAM | GeForce FX 5500 | ASRock K8Upgrade-760GX |
CMedia 9761 AC’97 Audio
A default install with cd or dvd will only give:
/
/home
swap
no /boot
So where did that come from?
Wipe the disk and do it again. With just the 3 default partitions. But check your media disk is good as DD said!
Hello 
You say you have a lxde cd. This is a live cd? can you run the live cd on your computer (that is load the cd, boot and let the boot run without installing)?
and by the way, /boot is inside /
jdd
Boot from a LiveCD, mount the root partition on the hdd, then chroot to the mounted root partition, moun /proc and /sys, start Yast and reinstall the bootloader. Let it put itself in the MBR. If you need further instructions on this, please return when booted into a LiveCD.