[oclug] Fedora Core 3 install problem

[Bill Strosberg]

Alex at Avantel wrote:
> The install completed ok (I used a minimum of custom settings) and asked that 
> the bootloader be installed on the MBR.  Everything completed OK but the 
> system will not boot.  I get past the POST, etc but when it comes time to 
> read the disk - I get "disk boot failure, insert system disk and press 
> enter".  System configuration is very basic with hda as master and cdrom as 
> slave on the primary controller.  The install created a /boot partition where 
> the various initrc files, etc are located.
> 
> I can get into the system with rescue mode so I can edit & change things 
> around but I'm not sure what to do.  I've checked /etc/grub.conf and it looks 
> OK.  
> 
> Suggestions?  What should I be checking?  

Alex:

Perhaps you may just need to set the partition as bootable.  fdisk 
/dev/hda - option "a" will toggle the bootable flag.

Command (m for help): m
Command action
    a   toggle a bootable flag
    b   edit bsd disklabel
    c   toggle the dos compatibility flag
    d   delete a partition
    l   list known partition types
    m   print this menu
    n   add a new partition
    o   create a new empty DOS partition table
    p   print the partition table
    q   quit without saving changes
    s   create a new empty Sun disklabel
    t   change a partition's system id
    u   change display/entry units
    v   verify the partition table
    w   write table to disk and exit
    x   extra functionality (experts only)

Command (m for help):

If the disk was previously used, it is quite possible this needs to be done.


--
Bill Strosberg, CISSP