Bug#284933: sarge installer freezes BIOS
Package: installation-reports
Debian-installer-version: <sarge 2004-12-04>
uname -a: <new machine>
Date: <2004-12-09>
Method: <DVD boot>
Machine: <Gateway E-4100>
Processor: P4 2.8GHz HT
Memory: 512 DDR 333MHz
Root Device: <Maxtor IDE 60 GB>
Root Size/partition table: <root and swap>
Output of lspci and lspci -n: N/A
Base System Installation Checklist:
[O] = OK, [E] = Error (please elaborate below), [E] = didn't try it
Initial boot worked: [O]
Configure network HW: [O]
Config network: [O]
Detect CD: [O]
Load installer modules: [O]
Detect hard drives: [O]
Partition hard drives: [O]
Create file systems: [O]
Mount partitions: [O]
Install base system: [O]
Install boot loader: [O]
Reboot: [E]
The base installation goes smooth,
- kernel 2.6
- partition the disk in root and swap, use ext3
- for boot loader I tried both LILO and GRUB
Now the problem comes after the reboot when I should boot into Linux. The
system freezes on BIOS startup when it detects the hard drive. In order to
be able boot I have to (I know it's criminal!) pull the power suply from the
disk, boot successfully from the DVD and then plug the power supply for the
disk back.
Then I would repeat the installation, try some other things (the disk is
detected and formatted properly) and when it comes to rebooting the BIOS
would freeze again.
I also tried another new hard drive. Before the installation touches the
drive the BIOS is OK. But after the base installation (which
partitions/formats the drive) the BIOS just hangs on hard drive detection.
When it freezes I cannot even enter the BIOS setup or boot from another
device. This led me into thinking that the freeze is caused by the drive
detection.
Now the big question: How could the installer affect the hard drive in such
a way that it freezes the BIOS? Even if it messes up the MBR and all the
partitions, I should still be able to get into the BIOS setup, right?
Million thanks,
Bogdan Calmac.
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