Linux on PowerPC FAQ-O-Matic: LinuxPPC 1999 Q1 - Installing from hard drive give error "unable to open inital console"

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LinuxPPC 1999 Q1 - Installing from hard drive give error "unable to open inital console"

Abstract: It is possible to install Linux from an HFS hard drive. However, this often fails, yielding the error "unable to open initial console".

Cause: Incorrectly structured files on hard disk. Insufficient documentation on local hard disk installation aggravated the problem.

Solution: Create a folder called "install" at the root level of your hard drive, and copy the /software/RedHat/maps folder to it. You should end up with a folder called "maps" inside of "install", with the files build.master, install.master, order.master, and sort.master inside of it.

These files tell the installer what order to install RPMS in. If some RPMS aren't installed before others, parts of the installation can fail without the installer informing the user. The installer was looking inside of install/maps for the map files during a local install (like it would for a FTP or HTTP install), whereas it should have been looking inside of software/RedHat/maps.

Taking the steps above puts the files where the installer is looking for them.

Anwser by to Wesley Joe and Robert Shaw and LinuxPPC Inc.
arthur99@global2000.net

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