[BlueOnyx:07576] Re: BlueOnyx-5.5-20110621.iso

[Michael Stauber]

Hi Gerald,

> a few versions back (first CentOS-5.5 release)I had trouble with an ISO
> that crashed using hardware raid congtrollers, even though the raid was
> disabled. And the standard CentOS-5.5 would load OK,
> So I created an ISO using the base rpms from CentOS-5.5 and was able to
> get a useable ISO
> 
> Now we have CentOS-5.6 and again the system crashes shortly after
> beginning the install, and again standard CentOS-5.6 will install OK.

Gerald, of course I'm curious why this happens and would like to "fix it" if I 
knew what causes the problems you're running into there.

Also, what make and model is the host controller you're using there? And do 
you get any error messages in one of the cosoles during CD install? You can 
switch between the consoles during CD install the usual way by pressing 
CTRL+ALT and the function keys F1 to F12. Some of the consoles display helpful 
information like what Anaconda does at the moment, or other logging 
information. CTRL+ALT+F1 returns to the standard console where the installer 
runs.

If the CD-installation crashes while you're still installing the OS, then the 
culprit is probably with the Linux kernel that comes with the CD and which is 
used to boot a mini-Linux from which the installation is performed. It could 
be that it identifies the controller (or another piece of hardware) wrong and 
then croaks when trying to initialize the kernel-driver for said hardware.

Or it is with the Anaconda installer that is performing the installation from 
within this mini-Linux, wich also performs various tasks that deal with the 
identification of hardware.

It is also possible that the ISO got corrupted during download or burning. 
That would be easy to check, if you would boot off the ISO and instead of 
hitting return and starting the install, type "linux mediacheck" to check the 
checksum of the ISO.

But if it's really an issue between the kernel and/or Anaconda on the 5.6 ISO 
and your RAID host controller, then for testing purpose I could roll up a 5.6 
ISO for you with the kernel and Anaconda from one of the 5.5 CDs that you 
confirm as working for you.

I'd simply need to replace the "images" and "isolinux" directories on the 
latest 5.6 CD with one from a 5.5 CD that works for you. That is much more 
straightforward than taking and older CD and replacing all the RPMs and 
updating the comps.xml file on it. If the booted (and fully YUM updated) 
BlueOnyx runs fine, then we can rule out that the problem is with one of the 
RPMs that the ISO did install. 

-- 
With best regards

Michael Stauber