The Boot Process Hangs at "Loading.........s"

Support knowledgebase (fhassel_nobd)
Applies to

SuSE Linux: Version 8.0

Symptom

The boot process hangs at the status signal "Loading.........s". In some cases, this problem arises when booting from a hard disk attached to an Adaptec SCSI controller.

Cause

The likely cause is an error in the controller's BIOS.

Solution

Boot with the parameter nobd. This can be done by appending it to the field boot options after the start menu is displayed and pressing Enter.

To avoid having to enter the parameter at the boot prompt everytime you start the system, insert it in the configuration file of the boot loader LILO. Edit the file /etc/lilo.conf as follows:

Append the line:
append="nobd"
to the section:
  image  = /boot/vmlinuz
  label  = linux
  root   = /dev/sda3
  vga    = 791
  initrd = /boot/initrd
If the append line is alredy available in this section, insert the parameter nobd separated with a blank after the existing entry. Repeat this procedure for the section beginning with
  image  = /boot/vmlinuz.suse

If you use a boot floppy to boot your Linux system, change the first line of the parameter boot= to:

boot=/dev/fd0
After saving the changes and quitting the editor, the boot loader must be reinstalled in order to apply the changes. For this purpose, execute the command:
lilo
(If you boot with a boot floppy, the Lilo boot floppy must be inserted in the floppy disk drive).
Now Linux should start without any problems.
Keywords: LILO, SCSI, ADAPTEC, NOBD, BOOT, BOOT PROCESS

Categories: SCSI , LILO

SDB-fhassel_nobd, Copyright SuSE Linux AG, Nürnberg, Germany - Version: 13. Jun 2002
SuSE Linux AG - Last generated: 13. Jun 2002 by ip (sdb_gen 1.40.0)