PPC: "Root password could not be set. You will not be able to log in."

Support knowledgebase (leah_ppc_root_password)
Applies to

SuSE Linux PowerPC: Version 6.4

Problem:

After installing part of the packages, you receive the error: "Root password could not be set. You will not be able to log in!" Then, upon reboot, you get a black screen. Or, you receive many strange errors during the installation, and when logging in graphically, KDE may not be the default window manager.

Cause:

This type of error occurs when the partitions are not properly set to be formatted. If the partitions were formatted before, then you may get through the installation, but will have many other strange problems.

Solution:

Make sure you have correctly set up your partitions in drive setup. There should be a partition for Swap, one for your root Linux file system, one for yaboot (if you have the new world rom machine), and your MacOS partitions. Then, follow these steps to insure a proper installation:

  1. Either boot off of the CD, or use BootX to start the installation.

  2. Choose: YaST 2 - graphical

  3. Select your language and hit "Next".

  4. Select and test your keyboard. Hit "Next".

  5. Select "New installation". Hit "Next".

  6. Select "Custom partitioning - for experts". Hit "Next".

  7. The next screen can be confusing, due to Apple's Disk drivers, which reside on partitions. If MacOS is installed on HFS (MacOS Standard) partitions, YaST will have already selected the mount point(s) for it. In this screen, find the partition that was made for swap. Highlight it, hit "Edit", and select "Format Swap". Under "Mount Point:" it should say "swap". Hit "OK". Then find the partition for Linux root. Highlight it, and hit "Edit". Select "Form at with Ext2". (No, this is not a typo, this is what it says in the installer. :-) Make sure in the "Mount Point:" you have entered is "/". Hit "OK". Then, hit "Next".

  8. Continue on with the installation, selecting your packages, etc.


See also:
o PPC: Booting with BootX on a PowerMacintosh
o PPC: Booting with Yaboot on a PowerMacintosh

Keywords: PPC, ROOT, PASSWORD, POWERPC, APPLE, MAC, MACINTOSH, LOGIN, INSTALL

Categories: Power Macintosh

SDB-leah_ppc_root_password, Copyright SuSE Linux AG, Nürnberg, Germany - Version: 11. Aug 2000
SuSE Linux AG - Last generated: 23. Sep 2000 by leah (sdb_gen 1.40.0)