Fedora Core just don't work :(

[vietkong]

I've tried to install Fedora Core 4 about 15 times and all the times it installs succesfully.
Before I was trying to install Grub in the linux partition but all the times that I booted that partition just a bash-like Grub appears to me and is boots nothing, at this time when I ran the installation again and tried to change the Grub configuration all the time it said to me that there is no kernel packages installed on my system despite the installation said that everything was ok.

After that I tried to install Grub on the MBR but the results were exaccly the same but now I can't even boot Windows like I did with the other boot loader that I have (XOSL 1.1.5).

All the times is the same thing I don't know what to do more and already have created some topics that nobody responded please try to help me.

I'm realy about to let Fedora Core 4 behind and look for some other Linux distribution.

[jim]

Descripe the steps you are taking to install
Details details details

[rayyes]

what happens when you type 'boot hda1' (without the quotes)

[shams]

use the first fedora core cd in boot prompt type linux rescue follow the insructions untill to get the prompt, then type:
chroot /mnt/sysimage
and reinstall the current kenrel with:
rpm -Uvh --force kernel_version
and reboot.

[ramaswamyps]

upgrading installation will never repair ur grub
i would suggest u write grub to masterboot record
the other shown in the window will boot xp , if u want default to xp check it.
first u must have written grub to root partition to try boot from hda1
dont forget to check use advanced grub while installing then only u get a chance to write bootloader to root partition else mbr or no bootloader
u will have to do reinstall of fc4 i think
i have installed 18 times the fc4 due to various reasons also ask it to format the swap also at everytime reinstall
it works fine with mbr in my xp and other linux installations

[vietkong]

I already tried to install on the MBR and the bash-like Grub still appears
I'll try to reinstall the kernel like shams said but don't understand the steps exaccly, I am using Mandrake 10.0 again until I can make FC4 boot

[vietkong]

Originally Posted by rayyes

what happens when you type 'boot hda1' (without the quotes)

It says that there is no kernel loaded

[vietkong]

Originally Posted by fedorajim

Descripe the steps you are taking to install
Details details details

What details ??? Do you want to know the packages that I'm installing ??? There is a way to install linux without kernel ?? When I ran the installation asking to make a new configuration for Grub it says that there is no kernel packages installed in my system but it finds a FC4 installation

Don't know what to do

[ramaswamyps]

if i were u i will first boot with windows diakete run fdiak/mbr to remove the existing grub
then the xp should boot by itself showing no damage done to xp
by this time u must have partitions made already. so use same partition only to install fc4 and the same swap partition.
bootup with fc4 cd and come upto searching for fc installations after that click install fedora
then manual partition to be selected.. mark the root partition same partition u installed / and select format it. select swap and select format it too set advanced grub install .then boot loader to MBR
start installing deafult packages personal comp. select dhcp or what type net connection u have
then install it should install in 10 minutes max watch for performing post install configuration and at the end of that see bootloader installing. then reboot
after u get first time boot and soundcard and all login as user.
select add remove packages and then u can tune ur system
if u dont see the bootloader being installed then u cannot boot either xp or fc4 makesure u configure advanced boot loader and to MBR of the SAME hard disk inwhich the fc4 is installed.
it should work for u now. i am sure
u did not get any error at all previously while installing??
how r u booting to mandrake 10??
and xp
there may be some small un noticed problem while installing or afterwards
check check and check every settings before and after commiting install
selected default packages is get a woking install faster
be patient and watch the full installation from begining to reboot.
its worth the time.
all the very best.
reinstalling kernel only is like dancing on the slippery floor
to be sure go for new install
again dont forhet to set to format both / and swap partitions.

[ramaswamyps]

Originally Posted by vietkong

What details ??? Do you want to know the packages that I'm installing ??? There is a way to install linux without kernel ?? When I ran the installation asking to make a new configuration for Grub it says that there is no kernel packages installed in my system but it finds a FC4 installation

Don't know what to do

there is no installation without a kernel all packages are linked to the kernel without which no system.
that message means that only if u install kernel again the boot loader can be chnaged.
kernel alone u cannot install
thats why i told u to install new fc4 all over again

the message doesnot mean the kernel was not installed.

[vietkong]

Originally Posted by ramaswamyps

if i were u i will first boot with windows diakete run fdiak/mbr to remove the existing grub
then the xp should boot by itself showing no damage done to xp
by this time u must have partitions made already. so use same partition only to install fc4 and the same swap partition.
bootup with fc4 cd and come upto searching for fc installations after that click install fedora
then manual partition to be selected.. mark the root partition same partition u installed / and select format it. select swap and select format it too set advanced grub install .then boot loader to MBR
start installing deafult packages personal comp. select dhcp or what type net connection u have
then install it should install in 10 minutes max watch for performing post install configuration and at the end of that see bootloader installing. then reboot
after u get first time boot and soundcard and all login as user.
select add remove packages and then u can tune ur system
if u dont see the bootloader being installed then u cannot boot either xp or fc4 makesure u configure advanced boot loader and to MBR of the SAME hard disk inwhich the fc4 is installed.
it should work for u now. i am sure
u did not get any error at all previously while installing??
how r u booting to mandrake 10??
and xp
there may be some small un noticed problem while installing or afterwards
check check and check every settings before and after commiting install
selected default packages is get a woking install faster
be patient and watch the full installation from begining to reboot.
its worth the time.
all the very best.
reinstalling kernel only is like dancing on the slippery floor
to be sure go for new install
again dont forhet to set to format both / and swap partitions.

I did installed more than 10 times and everytime the installation is finalized without any error and it asks me to reboot, the bash-like Grub always appears there is no way to login as user if Grub don't boot Fedora don't you agree ???

[vietkong]

Originally Posted by ramaswamyps

there is no installation without a kernel all packages are linked to the kernel without which no system.
that message means that only if u install kernel again the boot loader can be chnaged.
kernel alone u cannot install
thats why i told u to install new fc4 all over again

the message doesnot mean the kernel was not installed.

I installed FC4 more than 15 times changing all the options possible, there is no option in the installation that I didn't tried, are you asking me to do it all over again ??

[ramaswamyps]

yes please do all over again
first remove the existing grub dos boot fdisk/mbr

[B]u did not say how u r booting to mandrake10 *[/B]

u r using only one patition for fc4? no
will u put up ur comp configuration hardware
the boot disk fc4 boots then there is no hardware problem
did u format / with ext3
first do not use select packages
u might have skipped some Xwindows i feel
also see if xp removes the grub after install of fc4
have u left the mandatory free space required by xp
list the partition table and see u should have 2 vfat and linux partitions
if u r sure nothing wrong with fc4 proceedures then we have to look for outside troubles
we can sure solve this problem if u really want to
put more efforts i have this my present installations of fc4 is 18th time success
in the same partitions.

there is a new boot image for fc4 is on the site for install purpose
check whats it

from mandrake10 mount the fc4 partition in /mnt and look for grub.conf
in the boot folder of fc4
dont write any thing u can just look in the folder /boot/grub/ files
u can read the grub.conf in Kate see if there is mention of boot krenel and boot partition info

still i wonder how u r able to boot into mandrake?? what boot loader diskette?

[vietkong]

Originally Posted by ramaswamyps

yes please do all over again
first remove the existing grub dos boot fdisk/mbr

[B]u did not say how u r booting to mandrake10 *[/B]

u r using only one patition for fc4? no
will u put up ur comp configuration hardware
the boot disk fc4 boots then there is no hardware problem
did u format / with ext3
first do not use select packages
u might have skipped some Xwindows i feel
also see if xp removes the grub after install of fc4
have u left the mandatory free space required by xp
list the partition table and see u should have 2 vfat and linux partitions
if u r sure nothing wrong with fc4 proceedures then we have to look for outside troubles
we can sure solve this problem if u really want to
put more efforts i have this my present installations of fc4 is 18th time success
in the same partitions.

there is a new boot image for fc4 is on the site for install purpose
check whats it

from mandrake10 mount the fc4 partition in /mnt and look for grub.conf
in the boot folder of fc4
dont write any thing u can just look in the folder /boot/grub/ files
u can read the grub.conf in Kate see if there is mention of boot krenel and boot partition info

still i wonder how u r able to boot into mandrake?? what boot loader diskette?

I have removed Grub of MBR all the times so I could boot Windows again.
I'm using only one root partition for FC4 and a swap partition.
I did format / with ext3 all the times.
I have selected the packages I wanted to install all the times because I'm installing linux for programming and the default don't install the programming packages.
And I do have 2 vfat and 1 linux partition, it that a problem ???
And about the Mandrake thing, I installed Mandrake to program while I can't make FC4 work...

Tnx for the help anyway

[ramaswamyps]

dont give up yet
next time i mean this time make three linux partitions
1 swap of say 2gb and 2 linux parttions
boot fc4 and install only the minimum fc4 without any gui it iwll be abt 600mb install only
there will be no desktop yet u should get runlevel 3 console
but the grub shuld be working correctly
in the extra linux partition install mandrake and write its grub to the root partition
when u are able to boot fc4 console and mandrake from the grub u can proceed further
i have not trid the mandrake bootloader as main in my system yet
u have nothing to loose trying this
u dont know what u r missing if u dont try fc4
install minimum to see if grub works
make entry for mandrale boot in the grub
so it will not affect ur programming work
in ur spare time u can expand the fc4 to graphic mode
try try and try