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From: Rick Tyler <rick@tyler.org>
Message-Id: <199507252115.OAA05491@lucy.tyler.org>
Subject: Can't boot off IDE hard disk
To: questions@freebsd.org
Date: Tue, 25 Jul 1995 14:15:28 -0700 (PDT)
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In the process of installing FreeBSD 2.0, I have followed EVERY piece of
advice I could find relating to the problem of failing to boot off the hard
disk (found in the Troubleshooting Guide and sundy other FAQs) in a vain
attempt to get FreeBSD to boot off my one and only EIDE (Conner 1275 MB)
hard disk.

When it makes an attempt, I get the boot manager prompt:

	FreeBSD . . . F1

	Default: F?

which simply repeats itself when I hit F1.

The only way I am able to boot the machine is by using the boot floppy,
and typing the following magic instructions at the transient prompt:

	hd(0,a)/kernel

After that, the system boots and runs flawlessly, but this is obviously
unacceptable, since I can't baby sit it all the time. 

Having tried all the well known (published) remedies to this problem,
I would love to hear other suggestions.

Thanks in advance,

- RT