Re: Linux will not boot after install

[Bob McClure Jr <robertmcclure earthlink net>]

On Fri, Jan 02, 2004 at 05:44:48PM -0000, chris bates wrote:
> Please Help!!
>  
> I am new to linux so the fix could be quite simple! Here goes ....
>  
> System: I have a MSI KT3 Ultra motherboard with an AMD processor and a
> NVIDIA GFORCE 4MX graphics card with a Samsung digital TFT screen. I
> have two hard drives in my system, 1 which has windows XP and the 2nd is
> for Linux.
>  
> To install Linux I disconnected my primary HD and connected my Linux HD
> (which ultimately will be the slave) as the primary and performed a CD
> Rom install.

However well intentioned, that was a bad move.  You thought you were
making things easier, but, in fact, made things harder.

> after boot up the cd rom was detected fine, when I tried to initialize
> the graphical install from the menu the screen went blank as if it was
> in stand by mode, I had to reboot and select the linux text install.
>  
> I went through the install process and all seemed fine, I got the prompt
> for first reboot to complete installation. 
>  
> After I reboot I get the redhat splash plate where I can either wait a
> few seconds for the operating system to boot or press "p" to enter the
> boot password for more options. I pressed enter to boot after which the
> system goes through all the post checking, all of which test as OK. (no
> error messages!)
>  
> After the post has completed and the system is about to load the monitor
> goes blank again (as if in stand by mode) the only way out at this point
> is to hard boot. cntrl alt del does not work.
>  
> <more lamentations snipped>
>  
> Sincere apologies in advance for such a long problem description but any
> help would be much appreciated!!
>  
> Sincerely,
> A Linuxer wannaby!

A worthy goal.  Your enlightenment is to be commended.

Given that you don't have much invested in this install, I'd start
over, leaving the Linux drive as the primary slave.  The installer
really does know how to deal with that configuration, and will happily
build you a dual-boot system.  Let it install the boot loader in the
MBR (master boot record) of the first (Windoze) drive.

Yes, something might go wrong, but fixing those will be easier than
trying to fix your current debacle.

Oh, and don't forget to Read The Fine Manuals:

http://www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/linux/RHL-9-Manual/

especially the installation and customization manuals.  Oh, and also
the FAQ

http://www.rhil.net/docs/faq.html

Cheers,
-- 
Bob McClure, Jr.             Bobcat Open Systems, Inc.
robertmcclure earthlink net  http://www.bobcatos.com
Prayer should be our first resource, not our last resort.