No bootable HFS partition ..... |
October, 14, 2003 2:56 PM |
lei1 |
I recently wanted to re-install Jag on another drive. I had it installed and bootable prior to that but it suddenly wouldn't boot and I could not repair the problem. I reformatted the disk and attempted to boot on the Jag installer disk (using XPostFacto2.2.5b7) as I had many times in the past. To my surprise, all I got was a grey screen stating "no bootable HFS partition, can't open deblocker package". Eventually the machine booted back into OS9. I tried a number of troubleshooting measures including trashing XPF prefs, reformatting disk, flashing PRAM,etc. but to no avail. I don't know whether the dialogue is refering to the install CD or the drive I am trying to install to. Any ideas or suggestions? |
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RE: No bootable HFS partition ..... |
October, 15, 2003 11:43 AM |
lei1 |
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Ed was absolutely correct. The problem disappeared when I targeted a drive formatted in 9. I know that the Intech drivers do work as I had used them previously. However the X system I installed felt a bit fragile and after a couple of weeks I suddenly could not boot into or repair the system. As you know, it is a time consuming effort to set-up a drive and the boot failure disheartened me. I felt that the Intech format may have contributed to the problem. Perhaps hacking Drive Set-up would be the ultimate solution. I may try that if I can find the time. Thanks for all your input. Gregory - the U160 ACARD has been excellent. However, it is only a 32-bit card which might restrict you somewhat in quicker machines. I also had to configure my drives as single-ended in order to eliminate some read/write problems I was having when configured as LVD. This did not appear to affect benchmarked performance. In essence I think that the ACARD is a solid choice for Old World machines but G4's could realize much better performance from a 64-bit card. Andy |
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one other thing.. |
October, 15, 2003 11:22 AM |
cjsconfections |
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By the way, I found version 2.0.7 from 9.2 to be friendlier on unsupported drives than 2.0.5 which came with 9.1. If you were using 2.0.5 you might try the newer version before messing with Res Edit. |
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RE: No bootable HFS partition ..... |
October, 15, 2003 11:22 AM |
earlyd416 |
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I typically use Carbon Copy Cloner to make a backup copy of my OS X hard drive. I backed up the main OS X hard drive on the ATTO UL2D SCSI chain to a hard drive on my 8600's internal SCSI buss. The other day, my main OS X hard drive literally screached to a halt not long after I used CCC to back up the drive. After using CCC to restore to a replace HD on the UL2D chain, I couldn't boot off the replacement drive, even after booting in OS 9 and reloading the XPF stuff. Then I remember CCC has a menu item to "Bless an Old World Disk". I tried it and it worked. Using CCC to backup and restore is my main way to cope with hard failure and restoring from installing bad s/w and/or s/w updates. Hope this helps. --Dwight |
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RE: No bootable HFS partition ..... |
October, 15, 2003 11:06 AM |
brg15 |
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Intech's Hard Disk SpeedTools seems to be the only thing that will format the big scsi drives to be OS X bootable. Someone else suggested to run Disk Warrior on it, but I haven't tried that. |
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cjsconfections |
October, 15, 2003 10:11 AM |
jseibyl |
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HHHMMM.... I like that..... THANKS, I might have to try that...... :-) |
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Possible cheap solution |
October, 15, 2003 10:00 AM |
cjsconfections |
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I once used resedit on Apple's Drive Setup in 9 to add the description of an unsupported drive to the list of "supported drives" so that I could use the Apple formatter. It was some time ago but from what I remember, all I did was locate the Manufacturers listing and add the unsupported drive's model number/letters to the list. I was then able to use the Apple system without buying the Intech utility. If you try this, make sure that you work on a copy of the Drive Setup application so that if you mung it up, you can trash it and start over. The file that you will be modifying is "fscr" Scroll down to a drive that looks similar and modify it or add yours. You can also check out the file and compare it to other drives. If you need a copy of res edit, I can e mail you one. Don't ask me for more tech stuff, I got the idea from a post on another forum. |
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RE: ACard U160 SCSI card... |
October, 15, 2003 9:12 AM |
gregoryy |
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First I've heard of someone using the ACard SCSI card! I think I saw one report (over a year ago I think) that, like many, was a problem (people w/o problems don't often ask for help!). So that's good to know. I know Miles2 issues, the various flavors of ATTO and Adaptec. I've got a couple old world machines I'd like to try ACard in with some of my LVD SCSI drives.... |
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RE: No bootable HFS partition ..... |
October, 14, 2003 10:41 PM |
lei1 |
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Thanks Ed. Now we're getting somewhere. I wondered if the OSX formatting may be the culprit. The reason I dumped the Intech drivers was the sudden failure to boot X one day after a couple of weeks of smooth sailing. FYI - I did install OS9 drivers & erase the disk in 9 but to no avail. I will test tonight on another disk which was formatted in 9 to find out for sure. |
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RE: No bootable HFS partition ..... |
October, 14, 2003 9:43 PM |
egonzales21 |
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The problems is that your formatted drive does not have the HFS+ wrapper necessary to boot. This is why formatting in 9 is your best bet. Some have had luck formatting the drive in X but be sure you select install OS 9 drivers. Then boot your system back into 9 and then use the erase disk option to the newly formatted hard drive. This apparently places the necessary HFS+ wrapper to the drive. Other options would be to use Intech's software or someone may be able to help you hack Apple's Drive Setup to recognize your drive. Ed |
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RE: No bootable HFS partition ..... |
October, 14, 2003 5:37 PM |
lei1 |
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Thanks Marty ..... I'll give it a shot. |
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RE: No bootable HFS partition ..... |
October, 14, 2003 5:32 PM |
mjoecups358 |
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after you clone, use the reinstall extensions and reinstall bootx options of XPF... This has always been necessary for me to get my cloned systems to boot. Marty |
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RE: No bootable HFS partition ..... |
October, 14, 2003 5:26 PM |
lei1 |
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As a matter of fact the ACARD is the most flawless card I have owned for seamlessly booting 8.6, 9, or X and I have tried them all (controller cards that is). OSX has maintained internal support for this card since day one. I have been booting into X with this card for over a year (on another drive of course). I like the cloning idea but after three attempts at cloning with CCC and ending up with a non-bootable system (i.e. hangs at "loading application services") I gave up on that one. The problem seems specific to my Old World machine as I can clone a system & boot no problem on my G4. Thanks for all your suggestions jseibyl. I appreciate you pondering my problem. Perhaps Ryan can suggest something if he reads the post. |
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RE: No bootable HFS partition ..... |
October, 14, 2003 4:00 PM |
jseibyl |
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Not sure about the scsi card, can you boot X from that card, some will not, I have to use the helper disk on XPF 3 on my 2940 card. Another option is to clone your current install of X to another drive, saves a lot of trouble and retains all your settings. |
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RE: No bootable HFS partition ..... |
October, 14, 2003 3:48 PM |
lei1 |
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The drive in question is an IBM SCSI, non-partitioned U160 connected to an ACARD AEC67160M controller (which has been super-reliable). I formatted the drive as HFS+in OSX using the Apple disk utility. The drive is "unsupported" in OS9's Drive Set-up (if this makes any difference) but mounts and seems to function normally. Previously I had formatted it using Intech Speed Tools utility but after the boot failure I decided to use Apple's formatter. I have two internal CD drives in the 9600 and both are bootable. I get the same results from either drive. I never get as far as the install screen as the "no bootable partition" message is immediate and final. I am wondering if it relates to the target drive. I could try targeting another drive and see if I get a successful boot. Kind of made me nervous when this happened as I don't want to lose the ability to boot into Jag on my main drive. I just need to clarify what HFS partition is not bootable (CD or target drive). FYI - the dialogue also refers to the ACARD PCI path prior to claiming that it can't open the deblocker package |
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RE: No bootable HFS partition ..... |
October, 14, 2003 3:24 PM |
jseibyl |
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just to make sure, are you seeing the install screen at all, it should boot into ths CD before it starts its process, unless I am mistaken..... |
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RE: No bootable HFS partition ..... |
October, 14, 2003 3:13 PM |
naturist |
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several possibilites come to mind. The first is that you may have reformatted the drive as an HFS disk, rather than HFS+, which would make it not bootable. The second is that you may have used the wrong formater: it seems that the Apple Drive Setup and Hard Disk Toolkit are the correct choices, others not. Finally, if the drive in question is an ATA drive, rather than a SCSI drive, you may have part of the boot partition lying outside the allowable first 8 Gig range. |
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RE: No bootable HFS partition ..... |
October, 14, 2003 3:10 PM |
jseibyl |
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Sounds like something screwy with your CD, Does it spin up when it tries to reboot or make any wierd noises?? |