I have an Acer Ferrari 5000 with a 750 GB internal HD and a USB external 500G HD.

I have installed numerous versions of Ubuntu, OpenSuSE, Fedora, Debian, BackTrack and others, all booting OK from GRUB2.

I finally figured out how to chain boot Slackware, and decided to install Zenwalk 6.4 Gnome instead.

I booted from the Zenwalk install disk and installed on top of /dev/sdb11 (formatting in the process), which is where the Slackware was.

When it came time to install LILO, I chose to install it on /dev/sdb11 so that I chould chain boot similar to the former (successfull) Slackware installation.

The LILO installation failed, even after numerous Zenwalk installation attempts.

I truely do not understand why it is so difficult to boot Slackware or a Slackware derivative from GRUB2.

"sudo os-proper" executed from an Ubuntu 11.10 terminal window finds the Slackware installations, but the menuentries do not boot them.

I can finally get to the point where linux loads, but then get to the dreaded panic error.

I have tried to manually install LILO on /dev/sdb11 so that I chould try chain booting again, but all the instructions I managed to fine were very complicated or unclear.

I have tried numerous GRUB2 fixes and none of them have worked either.

Here is my grub.cfg file, with both my 40_custom entries and all the os-prober discovered entries as well.

==========================================================================================

function recordfail {
set recordfail=1
if [ -n "${have_grubenv}" ]; then if [ -z "${boot_once}" ]; then save_env recordfail; fi; fi
}

function load_video {
insmod vbe
insmod vga
insmod video_bochs
insmod video_cirrus
}

insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos13)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 6103b8f8-7b80-4797-82a9-699145f2ae6c
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
set gfxmode=auto
load_video
insmod gfxterm
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos13)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 6103b8f8-7b80-4797-82a9-699145f2ae6c
set locale_dir=($root)/boot/grub/locale
set lang=en_US
insmod gettext
fi
terminal_output gfxterm
if [ "${recordfail}" = 1 ]; then
set timeout=-1
else
set timeout=-1
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/00_header ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos13)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 6103b8f8-7b80-4797-82a9-699145f2ae6c
insmod jpeg
if background_image /boot/grub/grub_menu.jpg; then
true
else
set menu_color_normal=white/black
set menu_color_highlight=black/light-gray
if background_color 44,0,30; then
clear
fi
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###
### END /etc/grub.d/20_linux_xen ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
menuentry "Microsoft Windows XP Professional (on /dev/sda1)" --class windows --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd0,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 4C9059AA90599B72
drivemap -s (hd0) ${root}
chainloader +1
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.38-13-generic-pae (on /dev/sda10)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos10)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 2d5cb032-cc80-4e6c-afde-42b99ffcab35
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.38-13-generic-pae root=UUID=2d5cb032-cc80-4e6c-afde-42b99ffcab35 ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.38-13-generic-pae
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.38-13-generic-pae (recovery mode) (on /dev/sda10)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos10)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 2d5cb032-cc80-4e6c-afde-42b99ffcab35
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.38-13-generic-pae root=UUID=2d5cb032-cc80-4e6c-afde-42b99ffcab35 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.38-13-generic-pae
}
menuentry "Linux Mint 9, 2.6.32-21-generic (/dev/sda11) (on /dev/sda11)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos11)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 8414a912-4d5b-45d5-beda-d6ba15eb43be
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-21-generic root=UUID=8414a912-4d5b-45d5-beda-d6ba15eb43be ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-21-generic
}
menuentry "Linux Mint 9, 2.6.32-21-generic (/dev/sda11) -- recovery mode (on /dev/sda11)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos11)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 8414a912-4d5b-45d5-beda-d6ba15eb43be
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-21-generic root=UUID=8414a912-4d5b-45d5-beda-d6ba15eb43be ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-21-generic
}
menuentry "linux (on /dev/sda12)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos12)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 6acc1a08-a7f1-4a13-8186-0a802c8e9c8e
linux /boot/vmlinuz BOOT_IMAGE=linux root=UUID=6acc1a08-a7f1-4a13-8186-0a802c8e9c8e resume=UUID=967ca5fa-c07e-421a-be12-580cd8014fbb splash=silent vga=788
initrd (hd0,11)/boot/initrd.img
}
menuentry "linux-nonfb (on /dev/sda12)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos12)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 6acc1a08-a7f1-4a13-8186-0a802c8e9c8e
linux /boot/vmlinuz BOOT_IMAGE=linux-nonfb root=UUID=6acc1a08-a7f1-4a13-8186-0a802c8e9c8e resume=UUID=967ca5fa-c07e-421a-be12-580cd8014fbb
initrd (hd0,11)/boot/initrd.img
}
menuentry "failsafe (on /dev/sda12)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos12)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 6acc1a08-a7f1-4a13-8186-0a802c8e9c8e
linux /boot/vmlinuz BOOT_IMAGE=failsafe root=UUID=6acc1a08-a7f1-4a13-8186-0a802c8e9c8e failsafe
initrd (hd0,11)/boot/initrd.img
}
menuentry "6. Ubuntu10.04 , with Linux 2.6.32-22-generic (on /dev/sda6)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 801ab4fc-dbda-4afb-9b0c-8bf36ce00986
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-22-generic root=UUID=801ab4fc-dbda-4afb-9b0c-8bf36ce00986 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-22-generic
}
menuentry "Fedora release 16 (Verne) (on /dev/sda7)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos7)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 741c3b21-8add-4153-94e2-cd70c47631f0
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.1.0-7.fc16.i686 root=/dev/sda7
initrd /boot/initramfs-3.1.0-7.fc16.i686.img
}
menuentry "Fedora release 16 (Verne) (on /dev/sda7)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos7)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 741c3b21-8add-4153-94e2-cd70c47631f0
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.7-1.fc16.i686 root=/dev/sda7
initrd /boot/initramfs-3.2.7-1.fc16.i686.img
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-23-generic (on /dev/sda8)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos8)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root b5a0260c-3833-434a-b0f9-cdefa257111b
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-23-generic root=UUID=b5a0260c-3833-434a-b0f9-cdefa257111b ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-23-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-23-generic (recovery mode) (on /dev/sda8)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos8)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root b5a0260c-3833-434a-b0f9-cdefa257111b
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-23-generic root=UUID=b5a0260c-3833-434a-b0f9-cdefa257111b ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-23-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-21-generic (on /dev/sda8)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos8)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root b5a0260c-3833-434a-b0f9-cdefa257111b
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-21-generic root=UUID=b5a0260c-3833-434a-b0f9-cdefa257111b ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-21-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-21-generic (recovery mode) (on /dev/sda8)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos8)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root b5a0260c-3833-434a-b0f9-cdefa257111b
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-21-generic root=UUID=b5a0260c-3833-434a-b0f9-cdefa257111b ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-21-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-23-generic (on /dev/sda9)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos9)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 8f466060-8feb-41a3-942e-dc34b807fbe5
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-23-generic root=UUID=8f466060-8feb-41a3-942e-dc34b807fbe5 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-23-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-23-generic (recovery mode) (on /dev/sda9)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos9)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 8f466060-8feb-41a3-942e-dc34b807fbe5
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-23-generic root=UUID=8f466060-8feb-41a3-942e-dc34b807fbe5 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-23-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-21-generic (on /dev/sda9)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos9)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 8f466060-8feb-41a3-942e-dc34b807fbe5
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-21-generic root=UUID=8f466060-8feb-41a3-942e-dc34b807fbe5 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-21-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-21-generic (recovery mode) (on /dev/sda9)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos9)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 8f466060-8feb-41a3-942e-dc34b807fbe5
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-21-generic root=UUID=8f466060-8feb-41a3-942e-dc34b807fbe5 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-21-generic
}
menuentry "Debian GNU/Linux, with Linux 2.6.32-5-686 (on /dev/sdb1)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root fa6b7475-fef8-41dd-bb52-733c90f63046
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-5-686 root=UUID=fa6b7475-fef8-41dd-bb52-733c90f63046 ro quiet
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-5-686
}
menuentry "Debian GNU/Linux, with Linux 2.6.32-5-686 (recovery mode) (on /dev/sdb1)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root fa6b7475-fef8-41dd-bb52-733c90f63046
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-5-686 root=UUID=fa6b7475-fef8-41dd-bb52-733c90f63046 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-5-686
}
menuentry "Desktop -- openSUSE 11.4 - 2.6.37.6-0.11 (on /dev/sdb10)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,msdos10)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 40fe8412-2b88-4ec0-9c76-e429cf66da10
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.37.6-0.11-desktop root=/dev/disk/by-id/usb-ST950042_4AS_5330FFFFFFFF-0:0-part10 resume=/dev/disk/by-id/ata-Hitachi_HTS727575A9E364_J3790084G1KH3G-part14 splash=silent quiet showopts vga=0x345
initrd /boot/initrd-2.6.37.6-0.11-desktop
}
menuentry "Failsafe -- openSUSE 11.4 - 2.6.37.6-0.11 (on /dev/sdb10)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,msdos10)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 40fe8412-2b88-4ec0-9c76-e429cf66da10
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.37.6-0.11-desktop root=/dev/disk/by-id/usb-ST950042_4AS_5330FFFFFFFF-0:0-part10 showopts apm=off noresume nosmp maxcpus=0 edd=off powersaved=off nohz=off highres=off processor.max_cstate=1 nomodeset x11failsafe vga=0x345
initrd /boot/initrd-2.6.37.6-0.11-desktop
}
menuentry "Slackware Linux (Zenwalk-gnome 6.4) (on /dev/sdb11)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,msdos11)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 5bbac6ac-c1ac-49d2-b172-69b60198c89b
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.33.4 root=/dev/sdb11
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, with Linux 3.2.0-14-generic (on /dev/sdb5)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 9bcf431f-e44c-4b90-99a1-b1e2458ca552
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-14-generic root=UUID=9bcf431f-e44c-4b90-99a1-b1e2458ca552 ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-14-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, with Linux 3.2.0-14-generic (recovery mode) (on /dev/sdb5)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 9bcf431f-e44c-4b90-99a1-b1e2458ca552
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-14-generic root=UUID=9bcf431f-e44c-4b90-99a1-b1e2458ca552 ro recovery nomodeset
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-14-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.38-12-generic (on /dev/sdb6)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,msdos6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 6caf6681-74dc-4211-9218-db96270cac16
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.38-12-generic root=UUID=6caf6681-74dc-4211-9218-db96270cac16 ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.38-12-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.38-12-generic (recovery mode) (on /dev/sdb6)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,msdos6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 6caf6681-74dc-4211-9218-db96270cac16
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.38-12-generic root=UUID=6caf6681-74dc-4211-9218-db96270cac16 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.38-12-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.39.4 (on /dev/sdb7)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,msdos7)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root ced9f7e1-c2a4-4a6f-be6c-d91970483c4b
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.39.4 root=UUID=ced9f7e1-c2a4-4a6f-be6c-d91970483c4b ro text splash vga=791
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.39.4
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.39.4 (recovery mode) (on /dev/sdb7)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,msdos7)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root ced9f7e1-c2a4-4a6f-be6c-d91970483c4b
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.39.4 root=UUID=ced9f7e1-c2a4-4a6f-be6c-d91970483c4b ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.39.4
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, with Linux 3.0.0-15-generic (on /dev/sdb8)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,msdos8)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 32ecb80d-1d2d-4bc4-9941-35c76a550484
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.0.0-15-generic root=UUID=32ecb80d-1d2d-4bc4-9941-35c76a550484 ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.0.0-15-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, with Linux 3.0.0-15-generic (recovery mode) (on /dev/sdb8)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,msdos8)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 32ecb80d-1d2d-4bc4-9941-35c76a550484
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.0.0-15-generic root=UUID=32ecb80d-1d2d-4bc4-9941-35c76a550484 ro recovery nomodeset
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.0.0-15-generic
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, with Linux 3.0.0-13-lowlatency (on /dev/sdb9)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,msdos9)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 59bec18f-7f58-45de-9b5a-ebe55408ef05
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.0.0-13-lowlatency root=UUID=59bec18f-7f58-45de-9b5a-ebe55408ef05 ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.0.0-13-lowlatency
}
menuentry "Ubuntu, with Linux 3.0.0-13-lowlatency (recovery mode) (on /dev/sdb9)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,msdos9)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 59bec18f-7f58-45de-9b5a-ebe55408ef05
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.0.0-13-lowlatency root=UUID=59bec18f-7f58-45de-9b5a-ebe55408ef05 ro recovery nomodeset
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.0.0-13-lowlatency
}
### END /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###
# This file provides an easy way to add custom menu entries. Simply type the
# menu entries you want to add after this comment. Be careful not to change
# the 'exec tail' line above.

menuentry "1. Microsoft Windows XP Professional (on /dev/sda1)" {
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd0,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 4c9059aa90599b72
drivemap -s (hd0) ${root}
chainloader +1
}
menuentry '2. Ubuntu 11.10 (on /dev/sda13) (Oneiric Ocelot) (GRUB SOURCE), with Linux 3.0.0-15-generic-pae' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
set gfxpayload=$linux_gfx_mode
insmod gzio
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,msdos13)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 6103b8f8-7b80-4797-82a9-699145f2ae6c
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.0.0-15-generic-pae root=UUID=6103b8f8-7b80-4797-82a9-699145f2ae6c ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.0.0-15-generic-pae
}
menuentry "3. Ubuntu 10.04 (on /dev/sda6) (Natty Narwhal), with Linux 2.6.32-22-generic" --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 801ab4fc-dbda-4afb-9b0c-8bf36ce00986
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-22-generic root=UUID=801ab4fc-dbda-4afb-9b0c-8bf36ce00986 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-22-generic
}
menuentry '4. Fedora 16 Linux (on /dev/sda7), with Linux 3.1.0-7.fc16.i686' --class fedora --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
load_video
set gfxpayload=keep
insmod gzio
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,msdos7)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 741c3b21-8add-4153-94e2-cd70c47631f0
echo 'Loading Linux 3.1.0-7.fc16.i686 ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.1.0-7.fc16.i686 root=UUID=741c3b21-8add-4153-94e2-cd70c47631f0 ro rd.md=0 rd.lvm=0 rd.dm=0 KEYTABLE=us quiet SYSFONT=latarcyrheb-sun16 rhgb rd.luks=0 LANG=en_US.UTF-8
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initramfs-3.1.0-7.fc16.i686.img
}
menuentry "5. Kubuntu 10.04 LTS (on /dev/sda8) (based on Ubuntu 10.04)" {
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,8)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root b5a0260c-3833-434a-b0f9-cdefa257111b
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-21-generic root=UUID=b5a0260c-3833-434a-b0f9-cdefa257111b ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-21-generic
}
menuentry "6. Ubuntu 10.04 Studio, with Linux 2.6.32-21-generic (on /dev/sda9)" {
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,9)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 8f466060-8feb-41a3-942e-dc34b807fbe5
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-21-generic root=UUID=8f466060-8feb-41a3-942e-dc34b807fbe5 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-21-generic
}
menuentry '7. Ultimate Edition 3.0 Gamers (Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.38-13-generic-pae) on (/dev/sda10)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
set gfxpayload=$linux_gfx_mode
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(/dev/sda,msdos10)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 2d5cb032-cc80-4e6c-afde-42b99ffcab35
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.38-13-generic-pae root=UUID=2d5cb032-cc80-4e6c-afde-42b99ffcab35 ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.38-13-generic-pae
}
menuentry "8. Linux Mint 9 Isadora (9) (on /dev/sda11)" {
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,11)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 8414a912-4d5b-45d5-beda-d6ba15eb43be
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-21-generic root=UUID=8414a912-4d5b-45d5-beda-d6ba15eb43be ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-21-generic
}
menuentry "9. PCLinuxOS 2010 (w/Gnome) (on /dev/sda12)" {
insmod ext2
set root='(hd0,12)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 6acc1a08-a7f1-4a13-8186-0a802c8e9c8e
linux /boot/vmlinuz BOOT_IMAGE=linux root=UUID=6acc1a08-a7f1-4a13-8186-0a802c8e9c8e resume=UUID=967ca5fa-c07e-421a-be12-580cd8014fbb splash=silent vga=788
initrd (hd0,12)/boot/initrd.img
}
menuentry "===========================================================================" {
root
}
menuentry "The following Operating Systems reside on an external hard drive" {
root
}
menuentry "===========================================================================" {
root
}
menuentry '10. Debian GNU/Linux(on /dev/sdb1), with Linux 2.6.32-5-686' --class debian --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,msdos1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root fa6b7475-fef8-41dd-bb52-733c90f63046
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.32-5-686 ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-5-686 root=UUID=fa6b7475-fef8-41dd-bb52-733c90f63046 ro quiet
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-5-686
}
menuentry '11. Pear Linux Comice OS 4.0-b (on /dev/sdb5) (Ubuntu, with Linux 3.2.0-14-generic)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
set gfxpayload=$linux_gfx_mode
insmod gzio
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,msdos5)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 9bcf431f-e44c-4b90-99a1-b1e2458ca552
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-14-generic root=UUID=9bcf431f-e44c-4b90-99a1-b1e2458ca552 ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.2.0-14-generic
}
menuentry '12. Zorin OS 5.2 (on /dev/sdb6) (Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.38-12-generic)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
set gfxpayload=$linux_gfx_mode
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(/dev/sdb,msdos6)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 6caf6681-74dc-4211-9218-db96270cac16
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.38-12-generic root=UUID=6caf6681-74dc-4211-9218-db96270cac16 ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.38-12-generic
}
menuentry '13. BackTrack 5 R-1 on (/dev/sdb7) (Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.39.4)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,7)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root ced9f7e1-c2a4-4a6f-be6c-d91970483c4b
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.39.4 root=UUID=ced9f7e1-c2a4-4a6f-be6c-d91970483c4b ro text splash vga=791
}
menuentry '14. ArtistX 1.2 (on /dev/sdb8) (Ubuntu, with Linux 3.0.0-15-generic)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
set gfxpayload=$linux_gfx_mode
insmod gzio
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,msdos8)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 32ecb80d-1d2d-4bc4-9941-35c76a550484
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.0.0-15-generic root=UUID=32ecb80d-1d2d-4bc4-9941-35c76a550484 ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.0.0-15-generic
}
menuentry '15. Dream Studio 11.10 (on /dev/sdb9) (Ubuntu, with Linux 3.0.0-13-lowlatency)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
set gfxpayload=$linux_gfx_mode
insmod gzio
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,msdos9)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 59bec18f-7f58-45de-9b5a-ebe55408ef05
linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.0.0-13-lowlatency root=UUID=59bec18f-7f58-45de-9b5a-ebe55408ef05 ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
initrd /boot/initrd.img-3.0.0-13-lowlatency
}
menuentry "16. OpenSUSE 11.4 Desktop - 2.6.37.6-0.11 (on /dev/sdb10)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,msdos10)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 40fe8412-2b88-4ec0-9c76-e429cf66da10
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.37.6-0.11-desktop root=/dev/disk/by-id/usb-ST950042_4AS_5330FFFFFFFF-0:0-part10 resume=/dev/disk/by-id/ata-Hitachi_HTS727575A9E364_J3790084G1KH3G-part14 splash=silent quiet showopts vga=0x345
initrd /boot/initrd-2.6.37.6-0.11-desktop
}
menuentry "17. Zenwalk-gnome 6.4 (Slackware Linux) (on /dev/sdb11)" --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,msdos11)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root 5bbac6ac-c1ac-49d2-b172-69b60198c89b
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.33.4 root=(hd1,msdos11)
initrd /boot/initrd.splash
}
### END /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###
Adding Slackware
menuentry "Slackware" {
set root=(hd1,11)
chainloader (hd1,11)+1
}
### END /etc/grub.d/41_custom ###
john@myferrari5k:~$

======================================================================================

The last menuentry was from a 41_custom file that I found and modified. It worked for Slackware, but obviously, since LILO didn't install, it won't work for Zenwalk.

Sorry for the long message, this is the first time I've posted anything, anywhere.

jrvinton@pacbell.net

Hello.

1. The latest 'stable' release is 7.0 (which in fact is called current), you can download it from here http://www.zenwalk.org/modules/news/...hp?storyid=140
Are you sure you really want 6.4 ?

2. You've also wrote about LILO and it's unsuccessful installation attempts. So, isn't GRUB the only appropriate loader for you? If you are not against LILO, what exact problems have you faced with it? On all my Slackware (and Slackware-based) systems I used LILO only, though they had only 1 OS installed. Everything was OK, only at the beginning of my 'Linux-life' I had problems with instalaltion/booting. But then everything became OK.

Thanks Lexus45,

I will try 7.0.

As you can see from my posted grub.cfg, I do normally use grub2.

The problem was, even though grub "found" my Zenwalk installation (and also Slackware 13.37 when I tried it previously
on the same /dev/sdb11 partiton), the grub2 menuentry created by the grub2 os-probe did not work.

I tried different grub2 "fixes" I found on the web for booting slackware and it's derivatives, but I couldn't get any of them to work.

THEN, I tried reinstalling Zenwalk and installing LILO on the boot partition (in this case /dev/sdb11) so that
I could chainload to LILO from grub2. This did not work because the Zenwalk installation was unable to install LILO
on /dev/sdb11 for some unknown reason, even though I tried reinstalling numerous times. I also tried reinstalling Zenwalk
AGAIN, this time asking it to install LILO on /dev/sda, just to see if I could boot into Zenwalk. This did not work either.

As I said, I will try Zenwalk 7.0, but even when I tried the latest Slackware 13.37, I was unable to boot into it from my
grub2.

The path I would PREFER to take is to boot into Slackware, or any derivative like Zenwalk, directly from my grub2.

I've been investigating creating a new initrd file for Zenwalk, thinking that perhaps that is my issue with booting from grub2,
but I am having trouble with that also because I haven't figured the proper mkinitrd syntax yet.

I did managed to get into my Zenwalk installation to run mkinitrd by booting from the Zenwalk live CD and mounting my /dev/sdb11
partiton on /mnt and chrooting to /mnt.

OK, tried Zenwalk 7.0 and still have problems.

Booting from the grub2 os-prober discovered menuentry for Zenwalk, I get to the following:

RAMDISK: Couldn't find valid RAM disk image starting at 0.
VFS: Cannot open root device "sdb11" or unknown-block(0,0)
Please append a correct "root=" boot option; here are the available partitions:
0800 732574584 sda driver: sd
0801 164256561 sda1 00000000-0000-0000-0000-00000000sda1
0802 .....
0805 .....
etc.
.
.
Kernel panic - not syncing: VFS: Unable to mount root fs on unknown-block(0,0)

The only "available partitions" listed are sda partions (1,2,5-14). My installation is on sdb11.


Is it not possible to boot Zenwalk from /dev/sdb11?

I also still got the LILO installation failure during installation, just as I did with version 6.4.

jrvinton