x2100 M2 hangs on loading /sbin/loader during RHEL 4 ES Update 4 install
I have this new X2100 M2. I have a RAID 1 setup with two disks. When I boot from the RHEL 4 ES Update 4 (32 bit) install CD, it hangs when loading /sbin/loader.
If I specify "linux noapic" it does the same thing. If I specify "linux noprobe" it goes into the install menu but the keyboard doesn't work.
I am running Firmware: BIOS - 3A12 and SP - 2.70. There are newer version out, but when I tried to installed those all the USB ports stopped working and I had to downgrade to the above versions via iLOM.
This is obviously a hardware issues with RHEL ES 4, but I don't know what hardware. I had this same problem installing VMWare ESX 3.0.1 on an X4600, but after upgrading to the latest BIOS (which said fixed fixed the /sbin/loader) issue everything worked.
There doesn't seem to be a fix yet for this on the X2100 M2 BIOS though.
Any ideas anyone?
Thanks,
MK
# 3
Matt,
We had a problem like this with our x2100M2's. These systems come with 250GB SATA drives and the redhat distro doesn't load the correct modules to contact the drive. We had to load the following modules:
scsi_mod libata sata_nv usbcore usb-ohci input hid keybdev
An 'lsmod' on this system shows the following modules loaded:
k184# lsmod
ModuleSize Used by
nfsd278113 13
exportfs8001 1 nfsd
parport_pc 29569 0
lp 15345 0
parport44493 2 parport_pc,lp
autofs424393 5
i2c_dev13889 0
i2c_core28865 1 i2c_dev
ds 21705 0
yenta_socket23105 0
pcmcia_core69841 2 ds,yenta_socket
dm_mirror 32721 0
dm_mod68609 1 dm_mirror
button9313 0
battery11465 0
ac 6985 0
joydev12097 0
ohci_hcd24529 0
ehci_hcd33989 0
forcedeth 26305 0
ext3139089 3
jbd69617 1 ext3
phidgetservo8513 0
sd_mod19649 5
sata_nv12485 4
libata78857 1 sata_nv
scsi_mod 142353 2 sd_mod,libata
md5 5953 1
ipv6284193 10
tg3109509 0
nfs246641 2
nfs_acl5313 2 nfsd,nfs
lockd78449 3 nfsd,nfs
sunrpc176441 13 nfsd,nfs,nfs_acl,lockd
Sometimes, it is best with a new system to boot the redhat distro in single user mode, then see what devices show up and what modules are loaded.
I realize this is a bit sketchy, but we boot via a network boot with an NFS mounted root, so there is no OS resident on the compute nodes.
# 4
I have two SAS drives with the LSI RAID card. The problem is it won't even let me get to the point where I can load modules.
I should mention that the new RHEL 5 ES loads just fine and RHEL 4 ES boots fine if I specify noprobe, so it is some unsupported hardware that is causing the issue, but I just can't figure out what.
# 5
If RHEL5 loads fine, boot from that distro in single user mode, then do an 'lsmod' to see what modules are loaded. You'll see the drivers loaded by RHEL5, then replicate them on RHEL4.
This is a strange issue, because according to RedHat, the x2100M2 is certified with RHEL4-QU4. You might check their knowledgebase on their website or place a support call if you have an entitlement.
# 6
I booted with the FC6 install disk and did a lsmod. I don't think this is going to help me though, because RHEL 4 doesn't even get me to the point where I can load modules, so even if I knew which one it was missing, I couldnt get to the point where I could install it. I have FC6 64bit installed now and it is running great.
I'll guess I'll just open a ticket for RHEL 4.
