I did it again... I gotta learn how to do this....HELP!

[pgk3734]

Hi everyone,
Through trying out different versions of linux, I have left myself unable to
access Knoppix which is the 11GB partition on my hard drive and Libranet
which is the 8.432 GB partition. I have copied this partition info in hopes that someone can help me to get especially Knoppix back. The rescue floppy doesn't help and I think I may need a little help to use the Knoppix
CD to help me. I do know that all the info is there on the partitions when I access them with the Knoppix live CD. If someone would be so kind as to help me learn how to do this I would be very grateful.
tia,
pgk

PowerQuest PartitionInfo 7.0 -- Windows NT/2000 Version
Date Generated: 07/27/04 19:14:00
Copyright (c)1994-2001, PowerQuest Corporation
Permission is granted for this utility to be freely copied so long
as it is not modified in any way. All other rights are reserved.

PowerQuest, makers of PartitionMagic(r), Drive Image(tm), and DriveCopy(tm), can be reached at:
Voice: 801-437-8900
Fax: 801-226-8941
Web site: http://support.powerquest.com/support.html
E-mail: magic@powerquest.com

General System Information:
Total Physical Memory (bytes): 518,762,496
Used Physical Memory: (bytes): 245,903,360
Maximum Page File Size: (bytes): 1,213,349,888
Current Page File Size: (bytes): 130,818,048



================================================== ================================================== =======
Disk Geometry Information for Disk 1: 14593 Cylinders, 255 Heads, 63 Sectors/Track
System PartSect # Boot BCyl Head Sect FS ECyl Head Sect StartSect NumSects
================================================== ================================================== =======
0 0 80 6 1 1 07 1023 254 63 96,453 165,116,007
Info: End C,H,S values were large drive placeholders.
Actual values are:
0 0 80 6 1 1 07 10283 254 63 96453 165116007
0 1 00 1023 0 1 0F 1023 254 63 165,212,460 69,224,085
Info: Begin C,H,S values were large drive placeholders.
Info: End C,H,S values were large drive placeholders.
Actual values are:
0 1 00 10284 0 1 0F 14592 254 63 165212460 69224085
0 2 00 0 1 1 06 5 254 63 63 96,327
165,212,460 0 00 1023 254 63 83 1023 254 63 165,212,523 20,482,812
Info: Begin C,H,S values were large drive placeholders.
Info: End C,H,S values were large drive placeholders.
Actual values are:
165212460 0 00 10284 1 1 83 11558 254 63 165212523 20482812
165,212,460 1 00 1023 0 1 05 1023 254 63 192,651,480 899,640
Info: Begin C,H,S values were large drive placeholders.
Info: End C,H,S values were large drive placeholders.
Actual values are:
165212460 1 00 11992 0 1 05 12047 254 63 192651480 899640
SWAPSPACE2 192,651,480 0 00 1023 254 63 82 1023 254 63 192,651,543 899,577
Info: Begin C,H,S values were large drive placeholders.
Info: End C,H,S values were large drive placeholders.
Actual values are:
192651480 0 00 11992 1 1 82 12047 254 63 192651543 899577
192,651,480 1 00 1023 0 1 05 1023 254 63 194,531,085 96,390
Info: Begin C,H,S values were large drive placeholders.
Info: End C,H,S values were large drive placeholders.
Actual values are:
192651480 1 00 12109 0 1 05 12114 254 63 194531085 96390
194,531,085 0 00 1023 1 1 0B 1023 254 63 194,531,148 96,327
Info: Begin C,H,S values were large drive placeholders.
Info: End C,H,S values were large drive placeholders.
Actual values are:
194531085 0 00 12109 1 1 0B 12114 254 63 194531148 96327
194,531,085 1 00 1023 0 1 05 1023 254 63 194,627,475 17,269,875
Info: Begin C,H,S values were large drive placeholders.
Info: End C,H,S values were large drive placeholders.
Actual values are:
194531085 1 00 12115 0 1 05 13189 254 63 194627475 17269875
194,627,475 0 00 1023 254 63 83 1023 254 63 194,627,538 17,269,812
Info: Begin C,H,S values were large drive placeholders.
Info: End C,H,S values were large drive placeholders.
Actual values are:
194627475 0 00 12115 1 1 83 13189 254 63 194627538 17269812
194,627,475 1 00 1023 0 1 05 1023 254 63 211,897,350 22,539,195
Info: Begin C,H,S values were large drive placeholders.
Info: End C,H,S values were large drive placeholders.
Actual values are:
194627475 1 00 13190 0 1 05 14592 254 63 211897350 22539195
211,897,350 0 00 1023 254 63 83 1023 254 63 211,897,413 22,539,132
Info: Begin C,H,S values were large drive placeholders.
Info: End C,H,S values were large drive placeholders.
Actual values are:
211897350 0 00 13190 1 1 83 14592 254 63 211897413 22539132



================================================== ================================================== =======
Partition Information for Disk 1: 114,470.10 Megabytes
Volume PartType Status Size MB PartSect # StartSect TotalSects UsedSects FreeSects
================================================== ================================================== =======
F: FAT16B Pri 47.0 0 2 63 96,327 96,327 0
C: NTFS Pri,Boot 80,623.1 0 0 96,453 165,116,007 165,116,007 0
ExtendedX Pri 33,800.8 0 1 165,212,460 69,224,085 61,287,975 7,936,110
EPBR Log 10,001.4 None -- 165,212,460 20,482,875 20,482,875 0
Linux Ext2 Log 10,001.4 165,212,460 0 165,212,523 20,482,812 20,482,812 0
Unallocated Log 3,396.6 None -- 185,695,335 6,956,145 0 6,956,145
EPBR Log 439.3 165,212,460 1 192,651,480 899,640 899,640 0
*:SWAPSPACE2 Linux Swap Log 439.2 192,651,480 0 192,651,543 899,577 899,577 0
Unallocated Log 478.5 None -- 193,551,120 979,965 0 979,965
EPBR Log 47.1 192,651,480 1 194,531,085 96,390 96,390 0
E: FAT32 Log 47.0 194,531,085 0 194,531,148 96,327 96,327 0
EPBR Log 8,432.6 194,531,085 1 194,627,475 17,269,875 17,269,875 0
Linux Ext2 Log 8,432.5 194,627,475 0 194,627,538 17,269,812 17,269,812 0
EPBR Log 11,005.5 194,627,475 1 211,897,350 22,539,195 22,539,195 0
Linux Ext2 Log 11,005.4 211,897,350 0 211,897,413 22,539,132 22,539,132 0


================================================== ================================================== =======
Boot Record for drive F: (Drive: 1, Starting sector: 63, Type: FAT)
================================================== ================================================== =======
1. Jump: EB 3C 90
2. OEM Name: MSWIN4.0
3. Bytes per Sector: 512
4. Sectors per Cluster: 4
5. Reserved Sectors: 4
6. Number of FAT's: 2
7. Root Dir Entries: 512
8. Total Sectors: 0 (0x0)
9. Media Descriptor: 0xF8
10. Sectors per FAT: 94
11. Sectors per Track: 63 (0x3F)
12. Number of Heads: 255 (0xFF)
13. Hidden Sectors: 63 (0x3F)
14. Big Total Sectors: 96327 (0x17847)
15. Drive ID: 0x80
16. Dirty Flag: 0x00
17. Extended boot Sig: 0x29
18. Serial Number: 0x40EBFFB9
19. Volume Name:
20. File System Type: FAT16
21. Boot Signature: 0xAA55

================================================== ================================================== =======
Boot Record for drive C: (Drive: 1, Starting sector: 96,453, Type: NTFS)
================================================== ================================================== =======
1. Jump: EB 52 90
2. OEM Name: NTFS
3. Bytes per Sector: 512
4. Sectors per Cluster: 8
5. Reserved Sectors: 0
6. Number of FATs: 0
7. Root Dir Entries: 0
8. Total Sectors: 0
9. Media Descriptor: 0xF8
10. Sectors per FAT: 0
11. Sectors per Track: 63 (0x3F)
12. Number of Heads: 255 (0xFF)
13. Hidden Sectors: 96453 (0x178C5)
14. Total Sectors (>32MB): 0 (0x0)
15. Unused: 0x80008000
16. Total NTFS Sectors: 165116006
17. MFT Start Cluster: 786432
18. MFT Mirror Start Clust: 16
19. Clusters per FRS: 246
20. Clusters per Index Blk: 1
21. Serial Number: 0xE0DC06B8DC06894C
22. Checksum: 0 (0x0)
23. Boot Signature: 0xAA55

================================================== ================================================== =======
Boot Record for drive E: (Drive: 1, Starting sector: 194,531,148, Type: FAT32)
================================================== ================================================== =======
1. Jump: EB 58 90
2. OEM Name: MSWIN4.1
3. Bytes per Sector: 512
4. Sectors per Cluster: 1
5. Reserved Sectors: 32
6. Number of FAT's: 2
7. Reserved: 0x0000
8. Reserved: 0x0000
9. Media Descriptor: 0xF8
10. Sectors per FAT: 0
11. Sectors per Track: 63 (0x3F)
12. Number of Heads: 255 (0xFF)
13. Hidden Sectors: 194531148 (0xB984F4C)
14. Big Total Sectors: 96327 (0x17847)
15. Big Sectors per FAT: 742
16. Extended Flags: 0x0000
17. FS Version: 0
18. First Cluster of Root: 15470 (0x3C6E)
19. FS Info Sector: 1
20. Backup Boot Sector: 6
21. Reserved: 000000000000000000000000
22. Drive ID: 0x80
23. Reserved for NT: 0x00
24. Extended Boot Sig: 0x29
25. Serial Number: 0x40FADAFF
26. Volume Name:
27. File System Type: FAT32
28. Boot Signature: 0xAA55

================================================== ================================================== =======
Boot Record for drive *: (Drive: 1, Starting sector: 211,897,413, Type: Ext-2)
================================================== ================================================== =======
1. Jump: FA EB 21 01 B4 01
2. Signature: LILO
3. Stage: 1302
4. Version: 29862
5. Timeout: 0x40FD
6. Delay: 0x0000
7. Port: 0
8. Serial Parameters: 00
9. Time Stamp: 0x40FAC9AE
10. Image descriptor tables:@ 0xB0/(530,61,51)/#1)
0x20/0x00658000/#134
0xB8/(524,192,49)/#7)
11. Prompt Flag: 142
12. Message Length: 48336
13. Message Table: @ 0xBB/0x00520800/#83
14. Keyboard table: @ 0xBC/0x008E5606/#216
15. Secondary loader: @ 0x20/0x00B8ED31/#0
0x36/(179,205,1/#16)
0x0D/(432,232,33)/#102)
0x0A/(176,232,1)/#97)
0x0C/0x00E8B001/#92
0x1E/(96,7,1)/#12
0x35/0x0002FEFA/#136
0x00/(955,2,50)/#13
0x89/(286,208,54)/#12
0x30/(896,224,36)/#120)
0x10/(60,115,10)/#6)
0x1C/(838,64,54)/#117)
0xB2/0x0066882C/#139
0x26/0x0009187E/#255
0x12/0x00B42174/#8
0x8D/0x001380B2/#114
0x98/(402,145,21)/#186)
0x02/0x0066007F/#49
0xA8/0x007140C0/#0
0xBF/(315,184,3/#1)
0xA2/0x00EF0374/#90
0x36/0x001F8A53/#190
0xA8/0x004B0020/#0
0x26/0x008199B4/#127
0x09/0x004C4CFC/#79
0x1E/0x00682775/#128
0x31/(7,219,/#232)
0x35/0x00FB0035/#190
0x89/(0,247,6)/#185)
0xB3/0x00A6000A/#117
0x02/(176,174,13)/#117)
0x15/0x00B00608/#73
0x00/(979,203,40)/#180)
0x20/(688,232,26)/#203)
Ext-2 file system super block:
1. Inodes count: 1409024
2. Blocks count: 2817391
3. Reserved blocks count: 140869
4. Free blocks count: 2056653
5. First data block: 0
6. Logical block size: 2
7. Logical fragment size: 2
8. Blocks/group: 32768
9. Fragments/group: 32768
10. Inodes/group: 16384
11. Mount time: 0x41017E77
12. Last write time: 0x410183C5
13. Mount count: 14
14. Max. mount count: 39
15. Magic number: EF53
16. State: 0x0001
17. Error behavior: 0x0001
18. Minor revision level: 0
19. Last check time: 0x40FBC7A7
20. Max. time bet. checks: 15552000
21. Creator oper. system: 0
22. Major revision level: 1
23. Reserved block def. UID:0x0000
24. Reserved block def. GID:0x0000

[mzilikazi]

Well frankly the info from partition magic is almost worthless. Windows drive names don't make any sense. What would be helpful is:

Dual boot w/ windows? How many hdd's? What is installed on each hdd? Which boot loader were you using to boot Linux?

Boot your Knoppix cd and issue sudo fdisk -l and post the output of that.

If you don't mind using LILO for a boot loader you can simply boot Knoppix. Presuming you installed Linux to /dev/hda3 you would do this:

mount /dev/hda3 /mnt/hda3
chroot /mnt/hda3

Now you need to reinstall lilo (or grub). If lilo WAS on the MBR then simply do:

lilo -v
CTRL+D (to leave chroot)
reboot

If lilo was installed to the partition then you need to edit ntldr OR put lilo in the MBR. That can be done by editing /etc/lilo.conf.

[pgk3734]

Thanks for kind reply.

On hda5 is Yoper linux.
On hda8 is Libranet linux.
On hda9 is Knoppis linux.
This is lilo.conf from hda9 (knoppix):

/etc/lilo.conf - See: 'lilo(' and 'lilo.conf(5)',
# --------------- 'install-mbr(', '/usr/share/doc/lilo/',
# and '/usr/share/doc/mbr/'.
#
# +---------------------------------------------------------------+
# | !! Reminder !! |
# | |
# | Don't forget to run 'lilo' after you make changes to this |
# | conffile, '/boot/bootmess.txt', or install a new kernel. The |
# | computer will most likely fail to boot if a kernel-image |
# | post-install script or you don't remember to run 'lilo'. |
# | |
# +---------------------------------------------------------------+
#
#
#
root=/dev/hda9

# Enable map compaction:
# Tries to merge read requests for adjacent sectors into a single
# read request. This drastically reduces load time and keeps the
# map smaller. Using 'compact' is especially recommended when
# booting from a floppy disk. It is disabled here by default
# because it doesn't always work.
# compact

# Default menu for Debian. (Using the images from debian-bootscreen)
# from Philipp Wolfer <phil@newswriter.org>.
bitmap=/usr/share/lilo/contrib/debian.bmp
bmp-colors=1,,0,2,,0
bmp-table=120p,173p,1,15,17
bmp-timer=254p,432p,1,0,0

# Install the specified file as the new boot sector.
# LILO supports built in boot sectory, you only need
# to specify the type, choose one from 'text', 'menu' or 'bitmap'.
# new: install=bmp old: install=/boot/boot-bmp.b
# new: install=text old: install=/boot/boot-text.b
# new: install=menu old: install=/boot/boot-menu.b or boot.b
# default: 'menu' is default, unless you have a bitmap= line
# Note: install=bmp must be used to see the bitmap menu.
# install=menu
# install=bmp
install=bmp

# Specifies the number of _tenths_ of a second LILO should
# wait before booting the first image. LILO
# doesn't wait if DELAY is omitted or if DELAY is set to zero.

delay=20

# Prompt to use certaing image. If prompt is specified without timeout,
# boot will not take place unless you hit RETURN
prompt
timeout=50

# Specifies the location of the map file. If MAP is
# omitted, a file /boot/map is used.
map=/boot/map

# Specifies the VGA text mode that should be selected when
# booting. The following values are recognized (case is ignored):
# NORMAL select normal 80x25 text mode.
# EXTENDED select 80x50 text mode. The word EXTENDED can be
# abbreviated to EXT.
# ASK stop and ask for user input (at boot time).
# <number> use the corresponding text mode. A list of available modes
# can be obtained by booting with vga=ask and pressing [Enter].
vga=791

# You can set a password here, and uncomment the 'restricted' lines
# in the image definitions below to make it so that a password must
# be typed to boot anything but a default configuration. If a
# command line is given, other than one specified by an 'append'
# statement in 'lilo.conf', the password will be required, but a
# standard default boot will not require one.
#
# This will, for instance, prevent anyone with access to the
# console from booting with something like 'Linux init=/bin/sh',
# and thus becoming 'root' without proper authorization.
#
# Note that if you really need this type of security, you will
# likely also want to use 'install-mbr' to reconfigure the MBR
# program, as well as set up your BIOS to disallow booting from
# removable disk or CD-ROM, then put a password on getting into the
# BIOS configuration as well. Please RTFM 'install-mbr('.
#
# password=tatercounter2000

# You can put a customized boot message up if you like. If you use
# 'prompt', and this computer may need to reboot unattended, you
# must specify a 'timeout', or it will sit there forever waiting
# for a keypress. 'single-key' goes with the 'alias' lines in the
# 'image' configurations below. eg: You can press '1' to boot
# 'Linux', '2' to boot 'LinuxOLD', if you uncomment the 'alias'.
#
# message=/boot/bootmess.txt
# prompt
# single-key
# delay=100
# timeout=100

# Kernel command line options that apply to all installed images go
# here. See: The 'boot-prompt-HOWO' and 'kernel-parameters.txt' in
# the Linux kernel 'Documentation' directory.
#
# append=""
# Boot up Linux by default.
#
default="Linux"

image=/boot/vmlinuz
label="Linux"
initrd=/boot/initrd.img
append="ramdisk_size=100000 init=/etc/init lang=us apm=power-off nomce quiet lang=us"
read-only
image=/boot/vmlinuz-2.4.26
label="Linux(2.4)-1"
initrd=/boot/initrd.img-2.4.26
append="ramdisk_size=100000 init=/etc/init lang=us apm=power-off nomce quiet lang=us"
read-only

image=/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.5
label="Linux(2.6)-2"
initrd=/boot/initrd.img-2.6.5
append="ramdisk_size=100000 init=/etc/init lang=us apm=power-off nomce quiet lang=us"
read-only

# If you have another OS on this machine to boot, you can uncomment the
# following lines, changing the device name on the 'other' line to
# where your other OS' partition is.
#
# other=/dev/hda4
# label=HURD
# restricted
# alias=3
other=/dev/hda1
label="WinXP/2K(hda1)"
other=/dev/hda3
label="Windows(hda3)"



This is output from fdisk -l

Disk /dev/hda: 120.0 GB, 120034123776 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 14593 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/hda1 * 7 10284 82558003+ 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/hda2 10285 14593 34612042+ f W95 Ext'd (LBA)
/dev/hda3 1 6 48163+ 6 FAT16
/dev/hda5 10285 11559 10241406 83 Linux
/dev/hda6 11993 12048 449788+ 82 Linux swap
/dev/hda7 12110 12115 48163+ b W95 FAT32
/dev/hda8 12116 13190 8634906 83 Linux
/dev/hda9 13191 14593 11269566 83 Linux

Partition table entries are not in disk order

This is copy from /etc/fstab:

# /etc/fstab: filesystem table.
#
# filesystem mountpoint type options dump pass
/dev/hda9 / ext3 defaults,errors=remount-ro 0 1

proc /proc proc defaults 0 0
/dev/fd0 /floppy vfat defaults,user,noauto,showexec,umask=022 0 0
usbdevfs /proc/bus/usb usbdevfs defaults 0 0
sysfs /sys sysfs defaults 0 0
/dev/cdrom /cdrom iso9660 defaults,ro,user,noexec,noauto 0 0
/dev/dvd /dvd iso9660 defaults,ro,user,noexec,noauto 0 0
/dev/cdaudio /cdaudio iso9660 defaults,ro,user,noexec,noauto 0 0
# Added by KNOPPIX
/dev/hda1 /mnt/hda1 ntfs noauto,users,exec,ro,umask=000 0 0
# Added by KNOPPIX
/dev/hda3 /mnt/hda3 vfat noauto,users,exec,umask=000 0 0
# Added by KNOPPIX
/dev/hda5 none swap defaults 0 0

I am using XOSL boot loader and have no problems using it as long as I put lilo in root partition as I always do.

I hope I have been able to give you proper information.
thank you very much
pgk

[mzilikazi]

Well I have never used XOSL before but if it's working to boot your other OS's then hopefully this is easy.

Boot Knoppix
su
mount /dev/hda9 /mnt/hda9
chroot /mnt/hda9
mcedit /etc/lilo.conf

Add this:

# Specifies the boot device.  This is where Lilo installs its boot
# block.  It can be either a partition, or the raw device, in which
# case it installs in the MBR, and will overwrite the current MBR.
#
boot=/dev/hda9
root=/dev/hda9

F2 (to save)
lilo -v

If lilo errors then you've got it misconfigured and will need to re-edit.
CTRL+D (to leave chroot)

Reboot.

HTH

[pgk3734]

Thanks mzilikaz for your kind reply. I did all you asked. After I reboot I get this after I click on lilo gui:

initrd-tools: 0.1.67
mount: fs type devfs not supported by Kernel
umount: devfs: not mounted
mount: fs type devfs not supported by Kernel
umount: devfs: not mounted
chroot: /sbin/init: no such file or directory
Kernel panic: Attempted to kill init!

And then it hangs and does nothing. I have no idea about the initrd-tools where it
comes from. I do notice that in "boot" initrd is listed. I am at a standstill and don't
know what else to do. I was lucky enough to get Libranet back, but I prefer Knoppix.
tia,javascript:emoticon('')
pgk

[pgk3734]

I have been reading about what to do about this problem until my eyes are bloodshot.
I can't figure out how I did something to have the above appear after I click on Linux
in the gui.
pgk

[mzilikazi]

Again I have never used nor even seen XOSL before. Are you telling me that it has mouse support? You have used the word 'click' twice now but I have never seen a boot loader with mouse support. Maybe that is not important.

You'll need to have the correct entries in both lilo.conf & XOSL before it's going to work. You my friend are making this entirely too complicated however by using multiple boot loaders. It simply is not necessary. XOSL cannot boot your Linux partitions without lilo? If not then what is the point? Honestly my initial impression of XOSL is a poor one. Why? No documentation. Is there some reason you cannot simply use lilo or GRUB? Either of them is quite easy to install.

You could re-install lilo TO THE MBR with the same method I've already posted just change this:

boot=/dev/hda9

to

boot=/dev/hda

Then of course rerun lilo. If you have to have XOSL then I would recommend getting on their mailing list or posting for assistance w/ XOSL.

[Durand Hicks]

I see the problem, your /etc/fstab needs to be rewritten.

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/hda1 * 7 10284 82558003+ 7 HPFS/NTFS
/dev/hda2 10285 14593 34612042+ f W95 Ext'd (LBA)
/dev/hda3 1 6 48163+ 6 FAT16
/dev/hda5 10285 11559 10241406 83 Linux
/dev/hda6 11993 12048 449788+ 82 Linux swap
/dev/hda7 12110 12115 48163+ b W95 FAT32
/dev/hda8 12116 13190 8634906 83 Linux
/dev/hda9 13191 14593 11269566 83 Linux

Change /etc/fstab to read:

# /etc/fstab: filesystem table.
#
# filesystem mountpoint type options dump pass
/dev/hda9 / ext3 defaults,errors=remount-ro 0 1

proc /proc proc defaults 0 0
/dev/fd0 /floppy vfat defaults,user,noauto,showexec,umask=022 0 0
usbdevfs /proc/bus/usb usbdevfs defaults 0 0
sysfs /sys sysfs defaults 0 0
/dev/cdrom /cdrom iso9660 defaults,ro,user,noexec,noauto 0 0
/dev/dvd /dvd iso9660 defaults,ro,user,noexec,noauto 0 0
/dev/cdaudio /cdaudio iso9660 defaults,ro,user,noexec,noauto 0 0
# Added by KNOPPIX
/dev/hda1 /mnt/hda1 ntfs noauto,users,exec,ro,umask=000 0 0
# Added by KNOPPIX
/dev/hda3 /mnt/hda3 vfat noauto,users,exec,umask=000 0 0
# Added by KNOPPIX
/dev/hda5 /mnt/hda5 ext3 defaults,noauto 0 2
/dev/hda6 none swap defaults 0 0
/dev/hda7 /mnt/hda7 ext3 defaults,noauto 0 2
/dev/hda8 /mnt/hda8 ext3 defaults, noauto 0 2

Hopefully you should be able to see the other linux partitions as well as knoppix. The fstab file had hda5 mounted as swap which is blocking you from seeing any partition beyond hda3 since hda5 is supposed to be a linux partition and not swap.

[pgk3734]

Thank you, Durand Hicks.
What happens now is that it boots through textual messages and then stops at
a bash prompt!@? I'll try to get back to you or if you have anything to offer.
tia,
pgk