[SOLVED] CentOS 5 Hardware Detection Failure

Issues related to hardware problems
willywep
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Re: CentOS 5 Hardware Detection Failure

Post by willywep » 2014/04/23 19:54:50

Thanks for the explanation, TrevorH! I don't think the install gets very far, so I'm unsure if the ctrl-alt-F2/F3/F4 will do any good, but it's worth a shot! I have not tried rescue mode. Last night I wrote over everything with the 6.5 install to convince myself that I could actually get a CentOS up & running; this was successful. Having read a bit further, I thought I'd try the following install: linux mem=2048M (per drk's suggestion) vesa=1024x768 depth=16. Obviously I'm hoping that the video card is the issue with such a command, though I doubt that's the problem.

drk -- sata is set to AHCI (I forgot to post that previously)

gerald_clark
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Re: CentOS 5 Hardware Detection Failure

Post by gerald_clark » 2014/04/23 20:02:26

If you suspect the video card, remove the 'rhgb' and 'quiet' boot options and add 'nomodeset'

willywep
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Re: CentOS 5 Hardware Detection Failure

Post by willywep » 2014/04/23 20:15:27

Thank you, Gerald Clark! I haven't been using the rhgb or quiet options, so I don't think there's anything to remove. I've tried nomodeset, to no avail. Right now I'm looking in to possibly downgrading the BIOS from the latest -- maybe something was goofed up in the newest version from SuperMicro? Then again, I'd think that the latest BIOS (which I have) would be the best choice.

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TrevorH
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Re: CentOS 5 Hardware Detection Failure

Post by TrevorH » 2014/04/23 20:31:42

I would also try with a single processor installed and a bare minimum of RAM, just to see if the install will complete. If it does then reinstall the rest post-install and see if it boots.
The future appears to be RHEL or Debian. I think I'm going Debian.
Info for USB installs on http://wiki.centos.org/HowTos/InstallFromUSBkey
CentOS 5 and 6 are deadest, do not use them.
Use the FAQ Luke

drk
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Re: CentOS 5 Hardware Detection Failure

Post by drk » 2014/04/23 20:39:17

willywep wrote:Thanks for your helpful suggestions. What difference does mem=2048m make? Does CentOS 5 gag on too much memory? I've installed 5.8 several times with 64gb without a hitch, but that was on AMD/Tyan hardware. The BIOS is from a couple of months ago -- I think it's dated 21Feb2014 -- so I don't think that's an issue. And yes, I'm using x86_64 CentOS 5.10.
Just that your particular configuration may make having 64gb during install cause something to balk. TrevorH suggested removing CPUs and using a bare minimum of memory which is also a good suggestion.

One other possibility is to temporarily disable any on board NICs for the purpose of the install.
Last edited by drk on 2014/04/23 22:37:08, edited 2 times in total.

willywep
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Re: CentOS 5 Hardware Detection Failure

Post by willywep » 2014/04/23 21:23:13

This ticket can be marked closed! SuperMicro was exceptionally helpful & provided a BIOS downgrade, which then enabled me to install CentOS 5 without issue. The difference was in ACPI -- older OS's (like CentOS 5) do not support S1 mode. Loading a BIOS without S1 support did the trick. Thanks to everyone!

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TrevorH
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Re: CentOS 5 Hardware Detection Failure

Post by TrevorH » 2014/04/23 21:40:34

My next suggestion was that you should pack the machine up and send it to me... ;-)
The future appears to be RHEL or Debian. I think I'm going Debian.
Info for USB installs on http://wiki.centos.org/HowTos/InstallFromUSBkey
CentOS 5 and 6 are deadest, do not use them.
Use the FAQ Luke

willywep
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Joined: 2014/04/22 01:32:03

Re: [SOLVED] CentOS 5 Hardware Detection Failure

Post by willywep » 2014/04/24 00:37:00

Thanks TrevorH! It'd cost a pretty penny to send this beast to Brighton, UK from Raleigh, NC! Take a stroll on Brighton Pier & do a victory lap for me -- it's a beautiful walk! :ugeek:

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