Mandrake Install Troubles..

[MattWray]

I have a multi-boot system with Win2k, Win2k Server, Win98, Linux RedHat, and I am trying to install Mandrake as well. My problem occurs during the partitioning phase. When I begin the partitioning I choose to partition manually with Disk Druid. The choices I get are hda6 Linux Ext2 / (this is my Redhat) and hda4 linux ext2 (this is where I want Mandrake to go). I try to call the new Mandrake partition / as well but the format fails.
A little more info on my drives. I have 2 Hard drives. HD1 has C with win98, RH w/ swap, and win2k server. I have an extra partition made for mandrake. HD2 has win2k. The Redhat and swap partitions are logical and the windows and mandrake are primary. I know there is a limit on basic drives so maybe this is my problem?
Matt Wray
CCNA, MCP
mwray77518@yahoo.com

 

[MattWray]

Ok, got Mandrake installed, I had to remove the / from RH. But now I cannot boot RH from my boot floppy. The process begins ok, but stops at this message:
Kernal panic : No init found. Try passing init = option to Kernal

Any ideas, I am very newbie to Linux! Matt Wray
CCNA, MCP
mwray77518@yahoo.com

 

[ifincham]

Hi,

Its trying to run /sbin/init to start the sysv initialisation process but is having a problem of some kind. Maybe init is corrupt or missing . You can try explicitly doing at the lilo boot: prompt -

boot: linux root=/dev/hda6 init=/sbin/init

but - hold on I just re-read your post - it won't work because you 'removed your /' on redhat !

The root partition '/' is the most important of all and contains all the vital directories - /etc , /bin, /sbin, /dev , /lib ..... If you delete that you destroy your linux system to all intents and purposes.

You can certainly have multiple linux versions on the same box and each one must have a '/' root filesystem. You obviously have to be careful when installing a new one not to configure an existing partition as part of the new distro install.


Regards