Hello
Note sure if this belongs here or in opensuse-factory. Let me know.
I have been tested opensure 10.2 beta 1 and 2 against a new Intel P965 based system and having some interesting issues.
Test Environment:
Intel DP965LT motherboard Intel Core 2 Duo 6600 2.4 Ghz processor 4 GB main memory 2 x 320 GB sata disks
Originally equipped with an LG DVD writer, now equipped with a Plextor PX 760SA DVD writer (sata interface).
1. 10.2 beta 1 and 2 would not install with the PATA LD DVD installed. In researching the problem and finally firmware checking the hardware, this is the Marvell PATA 6101 chipset problem. This is already identified by the kernel developers with a fix.
System booted ok and you are able to choose to install but once suse starts the linux installer and look for the DVD drive it fails and falls out to linuxrc prompting you to load a CD. If you check the HD and CDROMS installed only the harddisks are visible.
This seems to a very common issue with P965 based motherboards. I have tried verious ideas found on the net but none of these have worked on the Intel MB.
Question: is this kernel fix likely to make it into the release version of 10.2?
2. Switched to using the Plextor SATA DVD writer. Downloaded the 10.2 beta 2 dvd iso and burnt a dvd and can now start the installer ok. I can partion a disk ok and start the package installation. During the package installation I get a various number of package installation failures, giving me the choice of abort, retry or ignore. Errors can vary:
error unpacking archive cpio: bad magic or MD5 sum mismatch or bad file descriptor
If I use the burnt DVD I get a large number of these errors. If use the iso image and install via nfs I get a lot fewer but still get them. The failures do not necessarily occur on the same packages each time.
If I push the install though by ignoring the errors I wind with a system that can sort of boot but does not get the YAST configuration screens for the network and display and user etc. Kernel does seem to work.
At this stage I am not sure what is causing the package install errors as even 10.1 Novell DVD (boxed set) will not install without errors. First thing is get the install to work then see if the rest of YAST will run correctly.
Any ideas appreciated.
Ubuntu 6.10 LiveCD will boot and run and can be installed and run from the disks using the plextor sata dvd.
Regards, Jim Hamilton