Linux Installation

[Vim Win]

Hi all,
I have a PC with the following configuration :
Pentium MMX 200 MHz, 32 MB RAM, 20.5 GB HardDisk with WIN98 in the Primary Partition. I wanted to Install RedHat Linux 6.2 which I got through a Magazine CD. The Installation started fine with all the options being asked. When all were provided, It started installing. Then suddenly it showed a Signal 11 error and came out. I browsed through some magazines and it says there is a problem with the Hardware. I have formatted my system harddisk using Seagate Ontrack boot diskette. Then I created the WIN98 partition. I have alloted a separate 4 GB partition for Linux. What could be the problem ? Can anyone clarify this ? I am very fond of making my machine a linux box.
JVRN.
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[Matt Midcap]

Hi jvijay,
I don't know what a Signal 11 error is but let me ask you a few questions so maybe I can help. Please forgive me if they seem like obvious questions but I need more info.
1. How many partitions did you create?
2. Did you create your boot partition under the 1024 sector?
3. Did you create a swap partition?
4. After you created your partitions, did Redhat ask you how you wanted each of them formated (and name them)?
5. Is the 4GB partition right next to the Win98 partition?
6. Where does the Win98 partition end - 14GB? 10GB? - of the first section of the disk? And where does the Linux partition start?
You'll have a smokin' little Linux box when we get it configured so don't get discuraged
Matt

[Vim Win]

Hi matt,
Thanx for your encouragement. I would answer your queries one by one.
1. I have one partition (primary) in which I am currently running WIN98. I craeated a boot partition, home partition, swap partition and user partition for linux.
2. I had allocated 5 GB to my Primary Partition (WIN98). I dont know whether my other partition went beyond 1024 sector. I tried allocating the remaining partitions from there on.
3. Yes I created a swap partition. Its size was 128 MB.
4. Yes Red Hat showed me what all the partitions that I have created and asked me what format i needed in these partitions.
5. I created One Primary Partition at first. I allocated the partition next to WIN98 to Linux.
6. WIN98 ends at 5GB. After that starts linux partition.
I tried lot of options. If you can, just give me a sequence in which I shall start installing linux to avoid any problems. I have currently aborted the linux installation and created an extended partition (temporarily).
Does the problem of having a Harddisk greater than 10 GB create some problem for installing linux ?
Certainly, I will see a linux box in my system soon with ur help.
Thanx Matt.
JVRN.

Originally posted by Matt Midcap:
Hi jvijay,
I don't know what a Signal 11 error is but let me ask you a few questions so maybe I can help. Please forgive me if they seem like obvious questions but I need more info.
1. How many partitions did you create?
2. Did you create your boot partition under the 1024 sector?
3. Did you create a swap partition?
4. After you created your partitions, did Redhat ask you how you wanted each of them formated (and name them)?
5. Is the 4GB partition right next to the Win98 partition?
6. Where does the Win98 partition end - 14GB? 10GB? - of the first section of the disk? And where does the Linux partition start?
You'll have a smokin' little Linux box when we get it configured so don't get discuraged
Matt

[Matt Midcap]

Hi jvijay,
Sorry about being absent the last few days and leaving you hanging. I'm getting ready to move and have been packing, working, packing, etc... Its been very hectic!
I will post some things that might help when I get home tonight, I need to unpack a book to look some stuff up.
Best regards,
Matt

[Matt Midcap]

Alright, just to let everyone know, it's been a BAD week/weekend. Moving, packing, realastate agents, mortgage people, my dog, and work. Mix it all together and you have utter caios!
Hi jvijay,
Again my appologies, but I am going to have to go off of memory with this one. I'll reply with the numbers of your answers of my questions:
1. Your partitions should be fine. Just make sure the boot partition is your second partition (right next to windowz98). That should take care of the 1024th sector requirement.
2. If you allocated only 5GB to your primary partition (win98) you should be fine. See #1 above.
3. Should be fine.
4. Good. Make sure you have Linux check for disk errors and reformat the linux partitions. Make sure to do both.
5. Make sure this is the partition with lilo (boot partition). Sounds like you did (see #1).
6. Good.
If you still can not get it to go, shoot me an e-mail at:
[email protected]
Give me your phone number and I will call you and we can step through the install together. Sound good?
Matt

[Vim Win]

Hi matt,
Actually I am also involved in shifting of my current house and would be available only by next week. My machine is currently down with some problems. Once I set it right, I would mail to you and get the process done.
Thanx for your great co-operation. Expecting a lot of your help for my linux box.
JVRN.

[Vim Win]

Hi matt,
I have successfully installed Red Hat Liux 6.2 in my system. I could do it in the same way you have suggested. I created a boot partition just after the WIN98 partition. Now its working alright. But I have a minor problem. I have a SiS6215 display card which is not supported by Linux until now. I used one of magazine's tweaking method and started X. Its coming ok. But the problem is that I dont get Mouse pointer. Instead I am getting a rectangular display there. Can I rectify it ??? I have a Logitech mouse (3 button). Can I rectify this by any way ???
Thanx in advance
JVRN.

[Navtaj Singh]

Hi! Guys.
I am about to do the same transformation.
But i do not know any-thing about partition's or whatever JVijay has described.
Can you guide me thru .
I have the same version as JVijay.
ie.Win-98,Linux6.2 but 8GB Hard-Disk.
please Advice.
Navi.