*BSD News Article 69750


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From: Hook Hua <hookh@ucla.edu>
Newsgroups: comp.unix.bsd.freebsd.misc
Subject: Re: HELP - unable to boot after install
Date: Thu, 30 May 1996 01:08:32 -0700
Organization: UCLA
Lines: 75
Message-ID: <31AD5780.7883@ucla.edu>
References: <31A8FBF2.2DD3@ucla.edu> <31AAD201.3477@ucla.edu> <4oeken$dgt@nntp1.best.com>
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Obi-Wan wrote:
> 
> In <31AAD201.3477@ucla.edu>, Hook Hua <hookh@ucla.edu> writes:
> >Hook Hua wrote:
> >>
> >> After following all of the instructions for installation from the Walnut
> >> Creek FreeBSD 2.1 CD-ROM, my system won't boot up from the HDD. At the
> >> boot prompt
> >>
> >> Boot:
> >> |
> >>
> >> my system would freeze! Everytime. The actual installation goes through
> >> fine. But when it prompts me to reboot, this problem would occur.
> >> Normally, the | after the Boot: prompt would spin clock-wise. But on my
> >> system, it just displays | and then freezes.
> >>
> >> I have no problems booting up from the installing floopy. Could the
> >> problem be somthing with the kernel on the HDD? I noticed that before it
> >> reboots my system, I would see
> >>
> >> sycning ... 1 2 3 ....done
> >>
> >> and then it would freeze.
> >>
> >> I have gone through the installation process a total of 15 times trying
> >> numerous combinations and options but the problem still persists.
> >> Any suggestions as to what could be wrong would be greatly appreciated.
> >>
> >> Hook Hua
> >
> >Sorry, I didn't make myself clear enough in my last post. My boot
> >problem right after installation occurs everytime I run through the
> >FreeBSD installation. I've done just about every option there is...from
> >Novice to Custom...User to X-user to Minimal install...Checked the disk
> >Geometry, booted from DOS-> install, booted from boot.flp--> install. I
> >did everything I could think off..read all of the FAQ's and docs on
> >CD-ROM and WWW...no luck. Is there something so obvious that I am not
> >noticeing? The FreeBSD 2.1 is being installed on:
> >
> >AMD 486DX4 100MHz
> >Promise 2300+ EIDE controller
> >16MB RAM
> >120MB Conner IDE   <-- small HDD used to test BSD installation
> >SB16ASP <--> Matsushita/Panasonic 2X CD-ROM
> >11/94 Award BIOS
> >
> >The whole HDD is devoted to FreeBSD. Why does FreeBSD allocate the first
> >39 sectors or so on the HDD and then use sector 39 and on for the
> >FreeBSD partition...is that where the MBR goes I presume. Anyhow, any
> >help at this point would be greatly appreciated.
> >
> >Hook Hua
> 
> Okay, I'm not a FreeBSD expert, but I've had this problem, and have a
> very similar set up. The problem is the Promise 2300+, which I have, and
> it's conflict with the BIOS, mine was an AmiWINBIOS. You need to get a
> controller with out an external-translating BIOS, I swapped my Promise out
> with a cheaper DTC 2278 card, and it works. I actually upgraded my
> motherboard at the time, so I'm not sure if even the DTC and the Ami BIOS
> work, but it does work with an Award BIOS. Anyway, I hope that helps,
> pretty much you just need to downgrade your controller card.
> 
> Obi-Wan
> E-mail: kenobi@pobox.com
> Homepage: http://pobox.com/~kenobi/

I just want to thank all those people that replied to my problem.

Yes, the source of the problem was indeed the Promise 2300+ EIDE card! Obi-Wan was right. I took out the 
Promise 2300+ and put this *REALLY* old IDE controller card in and it worked-- no problems whatsoever. 
Apparently, FreeBSD  has some conflicts the external-translating BIOS on the Promise 2300+. I installed Linux 
with the Promise 2300+ with no problem however....

Hook Hua