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Date: Tue, 19 Nov 1996 14:04:19 -0500
From: Ron Steele <ron@dc.infi.net>
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Subject: Re: Cannot mount root
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Paul T. Root wrote:
> 
> In a previous message, Clayton Carney said:
> > Hi,
> >
> > I been struggling for two weeks to get FreeBSD up and running on my system.  I
> > would appreciate some help, as the folks at Walnut Creek have told me they have
> > no idea what is wrong here.
> >
> > I went thru the novice install, choosing defaults and automatic for all options.
> > When the system tries to boot, it fails and the last two lines displayed are:
> >
> > changing root device to wd1a
> > panic: cannot mount root
> >
> > First, let give some configuration background.  My system is setup as follows:
> >
> > - Zeos Pentium 75MHz with 48MB RAM
> > - Seagate 815MB hard drive set as a master on IDE controller 1.
> > - Mitsumi FX-004 IDE CDROM drive set as a slave on IDE controller 1.
> > - Western Digital 1549MD hard drive set as single on IDE controller 2.
> > - Diamond Stealth 64 video card.
> > - Microsoft serial mouse.
> >
> >
> > wd0  - 815MB drive
> > wdc1 - unknown (says something about ATAPI)
> > wcd0 - CD drive
> > wd2  - 1549MB drive
> 


I have the same problem.  The only way I can get it to work is to 
tell BSD where the kernel is while at the Boot: prompt - you have to
start typing fast!  Assuming that FreeBSD in on the second primary
drive, try this:

Boot: 1:wd(2,a)kernel

Ron