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sbreen

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Slackware Booting from HD problem

I have just installed Linux Slackware 10.0, and cannot get it to boot from the HD.  I can get it to boot from the HD if I use the CD to boot it, and then type at the prompt:
bare.i root=/dev/hda1 noinitrd ro

How can I get it to boot from the HD?

More info:
I have created 2 partiions only. (swap and /)
I did not install a boot loader such as LILO. (Though I did this during my first attempt and the results were the same... no boot by HD)

Please Help!
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blkline

You haven't mentioned anything about your hardware, so I can't be sure about this in your case.    You also didn't mention any error messages or text that you receive so what I'm going to offer is traditional wisdom.  I occasionally have had the same problem as you and have completely eliminated it by following this rule:
 
Always create a partition at the beginning of your drive to contain the /boot directory.  It should be a primary partition of around 100Mb.  Then you can create the partitions for the root directory (/), swap and any other partitions that you want.

If you're game for another installation attempt, do it this way:

Size         type          mount point
100Mb   primary    /boot  
2*RAM  primary   swap    
remainder  of drive extended
              entire extended    logical    /   (will be hda5)
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ASKER

I do not get any error messages, just a blinking cursor after the MB goes through its boot devices (cd,fd,hd).  I am using a Dell Dimension 4100 with P3 1GHz, 512MB SDRAM, Generic Video Card, 2 Intel Pro 100 ethernet cards, and a new Maxtor 40GB HD (don't think this is the problem, but hafve not ruled it out yet.)  I would assume that all hardeare is fine because I have installed Linux Slackware 10.0 on this system before and had no problems.  I will try your advice as to create the /boot partiton as the first partition.
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blkline

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ASKER

Yes, I did have it install into the MBR.
Okay -- please post the results of your experiment then.
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ASKER

I have finally got it to boot, it appears that the MBR was corrupt.  I was able to fix that, but am now getting an error upon booting that the superblock is corrupt and am working ona resolution to this.   It appears that my /etc/fstab file is corrupt.