[CentOS] Speaking of 3Ware/RAID/SATA/9550SX...

Wed Jul 12 17:32:52 UTC 2006
Bob Chiodini <Robert.Chiodini-1 at ksc.nasa.gov>

Mark Schoonover wrote:
> I just built up a server running CentOS 4.3, and trying to boot from a 3Ware
> 9550SX-16ML, 16 port card. This system has 9x500GB drives, AMD Opteron, Tyan
> K8SD mobo and 1 GB of ram. I downloaded the latest (9.3.0.4) driver from
> 3Ware, and after a couple of botched attempts, I got CentOS installed. In my
> two botched attempts, the problem was X hanging during the formatting of the
> drives, so I switched to another virtual screen while formatting took place,
> and the system didn't freeze.
>
> My problem now is the system won't boot. I know this is not exactly a CentOS
> problem, I'm just hoping some kind sole would help me outta this overworked
> fog I'm in. When the system tries to boot, the cursor just sits there in the
> left corner of the screen flashing. Nothing happens. I am probably missing
> something very simple, that will cause me great public embarrassment, but I
> really don't care right now.
>
> Yes, I set the bios to boot from the 3Ware card, and CentOS install did show
> grub stage(1) and stage(2) getting installed. After that, I'm not exactly
> sure where to look. I googled, and went through the 3Ware KB, but not much
> luck there...
>   
Mark,

You may have to rebuild the initrd file to include the 3Ware drivers.  
Probably easier said than done since it looks like a Catch-22 unless you 
can boot from some other media and mount the array.

Bob...