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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Software Issues and Discussion => Topic started by: rvo_nl on January 09, 2010, 06:49:00 PM
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This is probably a pretty common issue. I've installed OS4 but it wont load. I have a multi-OS setup, I am using SFS, and I am using IDE-Fix Express. The following happens when I power on my machine:
1) it boots from my 'startup' partition: a 100MB FFS partition within first 4GB of the drive, totally 'safe'. IDE-Fix is loaded, then I have the ability to boot into workbench 3.1 (FFS), OS3.9 (SFS) or OS4.0 (SFS). Works perfect for 3.1 and OS3.9 (even though my OS3.9 partition is outside the first 4GB of the drive already)
2) when I choose OS4, various assigns are made and the OS4 bootloader is run. The machine resets as expected and then:
3) it boots again from my 'startup' partition. However, its startup-sequence now 'detects' the OS4 kickrom, does some assigns, and then executes s:startup-sequence on the OS4 partition. Perfect! Or...
"NOT A DOS DISK IN HD2"
it then says, and doesnt do anything. When I press cancel and type 'info' I can see all partitions, but only the one(s) beneath the first 4GB is displayed correct, the rest (everything above 4GB and thus using SFS) is displayed as NON-DOS.
Like I said, its probably a common issue, but I dont know how to continue. I've (not) tried several things though:
I did not install/edit/formatted anything using media toolbox during OS4 install. I've installed SFS on the partition using OS3.9.
I tried loading IDE-Fix and LoadIDE from the OS4 ss, but that didnt help. It's loaded from that 100MB boot partition anyway.
I know there are some important things to keep in mind when installing SFS and using OS4, but I just installed the 68k version from strohmayer into the RDB, so it should work, right?
The 'I am using IDE-Fix' option is ofcourse selected during install of OS4.
I have not installed the OS4 update yet. No idea where to get it and how to install it anyway.
The OS4 partition is 15GB in size. Later I found out the OS4 boot partition shouldnt exceed 4GB, but I reckoned this only goes for machines with FFS and no IDE-Fix.
So.. any other ideas?
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Sounds like a combination of filesystem issues along with the unusual scripting you set up to automatically boot the OS4 partition. You can eliminate the latter variable by forcing an OS4 boot partition in the Kicklayout:
At the end of the Kicklayout file, you'll see an entry for Kickstart/BootDevice. Make sure it's enabled. Now create a plain text file called BootDevice in the Kickstart directory of the OS4 partition. In it, type the partition's device name. Mine says OS4 because OS4: is my OS4 partition (took me a long time to get this right, believe it or not!).
See if that helps at all. If not, come back and we'll diagnose some more.
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I do have 3.9 and 4.0 but I must choose via early startup doing a reset and choosing the startup partiton again as 3.9 doesn't like 4.0 resident stuff and visa versa.
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@matt: thanks. however I doubt this will help much, since the partition is just showing up as non-dos! will try though.
@zipper: I know. I only select the OS I want to boot from from cold boot. As soon as either 3.9 or 4.0 kickrom is in memory (hence exec.library version changes) the script takes care of loading either OS, instead of the user.
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It is a rather common problem with OS4 classic. I had the same trouble that made me lose many hours wondering why. I suppose you did half of what the OS4 manual suggests. Now, boot with the OS4 floppy and have your cd-rom attached on the primary port as slave. Let it work for you and as soon as you reach the Installation procedure at the very moment it asks you to install disk and refresh its RDB JUST DON'T DO IT. Use MEDIA TOOLBOX in order to set up the new partition and add FFS (Add filesystem) from OS4 cdrom. Don't forget to include the option regarding Long Filenames. Also don't forget to change the DOS 03 digits to 07. Confirm every change/option by always pressing ENTER. Continue the installation, finish it, switch off for 20 secs and off you go (hopefully). For the first time you will boot it would be a good idea to have only OS4 partition as bootable, so disable the other other, in order to see if you have set everything right and that the system reacts well. The Amiga, most of the times is a really temperamental and picky system.
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See if that helps at all. If not, come back and we'll diagnose some more.
Ehm, oops. Sorry Matt. You were quite right. At first I tried OS4 aswell, but since this is the disk's label, and not its device name, it didnt work for me. When I tried with HD2: it worked first time! No idea why really, but Im really thankful!
Time to explore OS4.. (its slower than I expected, unfortunately)
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@ rvo_nl
Great! So you're up and running?
One of the first things I did with my OS4 install was to tone down the eye candy in GUI Prefs. Made things a bit snappier. I honestly haven't booted my OS4 partition in quite a while - can't get my Delfina working (it's just too darn fussy).
The update for classics is at Hyperion's website, hopefully (still not sure if they've restored all their files since they redesigned it almost a year ago).
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Yes! Its working fine now. Ive tuned down on the eye candy a bit, which does make a difference. But still not as fast as expected, seeing as how fast OS3.9 goes on my 060/50. But its amazing to see how evolved something like OWB is. Im really impressed.
Cant find that update anywhere on Hyperion's site though.. Perhaps Im looking in the wrong places? Does anyone have a link for me?
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It's buried in the downloads section. Remember that you need to register your copy first - otherwise it won't appear.
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ah yes, I wasnt registered. But I am now, and have downloaded the update. thanks again :)