> > I'm trying to do a "vanilla" Debian floppy install (rescue + root + > > driver-1,2,3,4). > > > > The system boots ok from the rescue disk and I get the boot: prompt, to > > which I hit return. Linux loads and I am prompted to insert the root > > floppy, which I do and hit return, the setup program loads and I get as far > > as the first step to select the keyboard layout. Everything ok so far, > > AFAICT. > > > > The next step is to "Preload essential modules from a floppy". It seems, > > the scsi controller is not recognised. So I must follow this step, and > > insert the driver-1 floppy. After selecting yes, I get a dialog: "Critical > > Error - Cannot mount the floppy. Stop"
> > The system I am trying to install to is a Compaq Proliant 4500. It has a > > 5-disk scsi array controlled by a SMART raid controller in slot 1 of the > > EISA bus. There is also a NCR scsi controller embedded on the motherboard, > > this is used for the CD-ROM and DAT drive. If anyone has done an install > > to similar hardware, I would be interested to hear about any other problems > > I might expect. > I've installed Debian in some Compaq tha have SMART raid controller, and what > I did was build a kernel that has SMART raid support built into. Next copy > the kernel into rescue disk, boot and install as usual. You must take care > to select SMART raid support into kernel not as a module, and you don't have > to have any problem. You can use CD-ROM, flopyes, ftp, etc to install > Debian. Thanks, I'm compiling a new kernel as I write. Do you remember what bus the Compaq had? The Proliant 4500 is EISA and I think that is half the problem. I probably need to supply some parameters for the driver, but I'm not sure what these need to be or where to put them. What I *really* should be asking is what to do with the driver floppies (hence the subject rename). The readme.txt says that the "compact" 3-floppy set includes a driver for SMART scsi controller, so I'm assuming that the "vanilla" floppy set must have this too - but how to load it? I'm actually thinking of registering a bug against the documentation for the boot-floppies package on this specific point. If I knew exactly what I'm missing, I could make the bug report more constructive. > I hope this helps you. Yes, it always helps to know something _can_ be done. Thanks.
