[NTLUG:Discuss] error 18 correct, but this is a head scratcher

[terry]

2009/10/3 Daniel Hauck <daniel at yacg.com>:
> (2009年10月03日 15:02), Allen Meyers さんは書きました:
>> 1. I reactivated a old 32 bit for want of a better phrase.  Upped the
>> RAM to 1 GB and the HD from 40 to 160, my first mistake.
>> 2. Repartitioned, XP home went in smooth but resisted Linux OS
>> reporting error 18. This is when I learn when read is attempted at
>> linear block it is beyond the end of BIOS. So I upgraded BIOS.
>> 3. Went back to what I had before with larger partitions XP-Debian-Mepis
>> 4. Since I had the larger HD and upgraded BIOS thought I would
>> repartition and this is when I discovered I had regressed back to the
>> error 18.
>> Presently in the throes of starting over. Windows and xp are in with a
>> dual boot and Lenny loading now.
>> Anyone have any idea what could be going on.
>>
>>
> Some time ago, there was a practice of having a boot partition followed
> by several other partitions. This practice was partly to overcome the
> problem you are experiencing now.
>
> The answer? Install Linux first, then Windows. Then when Windows is done
> installing, "fix" the boot problem by reinstating grub using a Linux repair.
>
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I don't know about grub as I'm predominately a Slackware user and we
just use lilo, but I've used the -P option before with ignore  (never
tried to use fix but ignore seemed to do the trick).  I've only had to
do it a couple times, but sounds like similar situation.
This is from man lilo:
       -P {fix|ignore|<global-option>}
              Fix  or  ignore  `corrupt'  partition  tables,  i.e.,
partition  tables with linear and cylinder/head/sector addresses that
do not correspond.  Always try -P ignore first, as -P fix  will
re-write the partition table, possibly destroying all partitions on
the disk.

              -P  ignore is also used to bypass the partition table
check for partition types within the partition table which might not
allow the installation of a LILO boot sector.   Compare  with  the
              "-F" flag, which overrides the check of the actual boot sector.

Maybe grub has some sort of similar options, but.. well FYI...

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