[vox-tech] problematic computer (when installing linux) [fixed]

[Dylan Beaudette]

On Tuesday 16 November 2004 07:42 pm, Jonathan Stickel wrote:
> Can I assume you've googled about your particular hardware?  Maybe your
> CD/DVD just won't play nice with DMA.  One thing worth trying is to see
> how your computer behaves with KNOPPIX.  When booting knoppix, do:
>
> knoppix dma
>
> to enable dma support of your drives.  If everything works, then you
> know your hardware is OK as long as it gets detected/configured properly.
>
> HTH,
> Jonathan

Thanks Jonhathan!

I was hoping to install debian on this machine from the netinst Sarge RC1 
netinst CD:

in order to disable DMA you must start the 'expert' installer, and pass 
ide=nodma to the IDE modules.... so far so good!
However, things got messy when some packages refused to install (exim4 and 
some others...) so i gave up on debian.

With the Yoper 2.1 CD, i was able to boot and install the system with the boot 
arguments 'novesa ide=nodma'

After the install everything seems to be in working order!!

What did we learn about all of this...?
1. on this particular machine (possibly funky CDROM drives that don't like 
DMA) passing the parameter 'ide=nodma' got the install going. once the system 
was booted, i re-enabled DMA for the hard disk, but not for the CDROM drives.

2. I will check on the DMA status while in whindows, and write back with my 
findings (thanks for the idea Mark!)


-- 
Dylan Beaudette
Soil Science Graduate Group
University of California at Davis


> Dylan Beaudette wrote:
> > Hi everyone,
> >
> > I have a machine here that is starting to drive me crazy. It is a Compaq
> > Pentiumm III class machine, with integrated everything, and a funky case.
> >
> > I have tried just about every flavor of linux, and only 1 (SUSE 9.1)
> > would even install. Even after I installed it, any attempts by the OS to
> > enable DMA access to one of the CDROMS led to a nasty crash.
> >
> > The CD drives function perfectly from windows, and in SUSE 9.1 when in it
> > DMA mode...However, every linux install CD barfs about half way though
> > the install process...
> >
> > The offending IDE controller is an Intel 82801AA.
> >
> > So it has come down to a couple options:
> > 1. use windows, and put up with all the crap associated with it
> > (obviously not ideal)
> >
> > 2. re-install SUSE 9.1 and put up with broken DVD playback (needs DMA)
> > and funky sound
> >
> > 3. replace some of the hardware and install Debian / Yoper
> >
> > My question to the list is: Does anyone know where one can get a hold of
> > some decent pentium III class hardware that I can use to put together a
> > working machine. Ideally a mini Shuttle-type system would be ideal, but
> > they seem to price out at about $400 minimum.
> >
> > Any ideas?
> >
> > thanks,
> >
> > Dylan
> > _______________________________________________
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>
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