From owner-freebsd-questions Fri Oct 11 14:21:23 1996 Return-Path: owner-questions Received: (from root@localhost) by freefall.freebsd.org (8.7.5/8.7.3) id OAA26231 for questions-outgoing; Fri, 11 Oct 1996 14:21:23 -0700 (PDT) Received: from dfw-ix3.ix.netcom.com (dfw-ix3.ix.netcom.com [206.214.98.3]) by freefall.freebsd.org (8.7.5/8.7.3) with SMTP id OAA26225 for ; Fri, 11 Oct 1996 14:21:21 -0700 (PDT) Received: from tensbum (col-oh4-18.ix.netcom.com [199.183.200.146]) by dfw-ix3.ix.netcom.com (8.6.13/8.6.12) with SMTP id OAA02160; Fri, 11 Oct 1996 14:17:02 -0700 Message-Id: <3.0b35.32.19961011171659.006a7a04@ix.netcom.com> X-Sender: tensbum@ix.netcom.com X-Mailer: Windows Eudora Pro Version 3.0b35 (32) Date: Fri, 11 Oct 1996 17:17:03 -0400 To: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org From: "Michael P. Deslippe" Subject: Next Problem Cc: Michael Smith Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Sender: owner-questions@freebsd.org X-Loop: FreeBSD.org Precedence: bulk >panic: can't mount root > rebooting in 15 seconds > >and I get an endless loop of reboots. Well, for those of you who have had similar problems (a search of old messages indicates that's quite a number) - here's the definitive answer for at least one permutation of this problem. When there is more than one drive on the system, each drive has a system bios number (either 0 or 1). Similarly, each IDE adapter has the ability to have a master and a slave, each having a distinct number (0, 1, 2 or 3 when two IDE devices are used). The ROOT mounting command requires identifying both the BIOS number and the IDE number in the BOOT MOUNT command. When you have a bare-bones dedicated system, the defaults pretty much cover it. When you scrounge one together as a part-time system, a little more configuration is required. at BOOT: enter the appropriate command as follows: 1:wd(2,a)/kernel | | | +------------------this is the IDE DEVICE number This is the Drive BIOS number Since I have a second IDE drive, the BIOS default of 0 (zero) wouldn't work, I needed a 1 (one). Since my second drive was not a slave (my ATAPI CD-ROM requires it be a slave on the first IDE device), it became the third device and required a 2(two). If this info is in the documentation, it's in a place where you can't see it until after it's installed. I'd recommend it be added to the install document that's readily available on the server (but since a bazillion folks have managed before me, it's probably not necessary). In any event, I'm up and running - cheers until the next speed bump! If God's your co-pilot, switch seats! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Michael P. Deslippe | People who can view their environment and not The Christian Advisor | see intelligent design, can't be regarded Galloway, Ohio | intelligently! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ God will not forgive your sins in Heaven, for He already forgave them at the cross!