Thanks to a key insight from Joel Susser, the problem
described below is solved. Here's the info, for the
record.
The machine has a multiplicity of SCSI controllers (two
internal: AIC-7890 [disks], AIC-7860 [CD-ROM]; one external:
AHA-2940U2W [tape drive]).
By disabling the AIC-7860 in the BIOS system setup,
everything worked swimmingly thereafter (w/ a 2.2.14-12
[RH6.2] kernel). I am not sure if it was the mere presence
of that (extra) internal controller, or the fact that I long
ago removed the CD-ROM from it, so it was in some sense
"dangling".
The only unexplained fact is why the good old RH6.0 kernel
(2.2.5-n) has kept working through thick and thin.
Thanks to all for their help.
Will
==== my original message ============================
Message-Id: <9911150918.AA10008@mekb2>
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: installed rh6.0/i386, can't upgrade to r6.1
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1999 09:18:13 +0000
From: Will Partain <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Folks, I've got a Dell Poweredge 2300 [*], with Redhat 6.0
on it, but I'm getting almost nowhere on a 6.1 upgrade
because of an apparent SCSI-related issue...
'm getting a little way with a (yes, updated) boot* (or
bootnet*) disk [I've specified language, keyboard, IP#s,
etc], and it will pop up a box
Loading SCSI driver
Loading aic7xxx driver...
and just sit there evermore.
The first thing I tried was: "linux aic7xxx=no_probe"
(having read various things on the net). No particular
joy.
Next I tried with a RH6._0_ bootnet disk (remember, this
must have worked in the past!). It eventually just hung (no
message or anything).
Next I said, "When I built the machine, I didn't have the
2940U2W card in", so I ripped it out (temporarily)...
Without "aic7xxx=no_probe", I got the same problem as
before. With it, I got through to the rh6.1
installification, but it couldn't see any of my disks (at
all).
Now, sometime after RH6.0 install, we fiddled some (SCSI)
BIOS settings in what-we-thought-were-innocent ways.
Next shot will be to try "undo"ing that, and see if things
spring back to life. Anybody with hot tips about what to
look for?
Will
[*] It's got an on-board AIC-7890 SCSI controller, with 4
Ultra2-LVD disks hanging off it. It's got an on-board
AIC-7860, with nothing hanging off it. It's got an extra
card (Adaptec) AHA-2940U2W, with a DLT tape drive hanging
off it.
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