Boot 8.2 missing partitions OpenBSD/Linux/Windows

[Deleted member 3645]

(This issue is solved, but I want to document it here for others to see.)

When I boot FreeBSD 8.2 from a DVD I see only one disk partition for the whole disk. On the disk are multiple partitions for Windows/XP, OpenBSD and Linux. I have a brand new Intel D510MO motherboard and a brand new SATA disk drive. In the bios the SATA is set to IDE mode.

To fix the problem I did this during the boot:

   1) pick option 6 on the boot menu, "Escape to loader prompt"
   2) Enter these commands to load kernel modules and boot:

        load geom_bsd
        load geom_mbr
        load geom_label
        boot

During the installation I had to change the geometry of the drive too.

After installation to keep my changes I created a /boot/loader.conf file and added the 3 kernel modules:

    geom_bsd_load="YES"
    geom_mbr_load="YES"
    geom_label_load="YES"

More information about how I spliced up the disk.

partition 1 - Windows/XP
partition 2 - OpenBSD
partition 3 - FreeBSD
partition 4 - extended partition covering the whole rest of the disk
...
partition 7 - Linux

Windows wants to be the first partition. OpenBSD and FreeBSD must be put into a "primary" partition, 1-4. Linux can go anywhere.

I use lilo to boot all 4 operating systems. (lilo was released under a BSD like license)

 

[Keith]

Been Looking Forever for this!

Thanks. I have a Gateway Laptop Laptop MP8708 and BIOS will not set the SATA to IDE mode. So, my install slice is ad4s1a and the install fails with

unable to find device node for /dev/ad4s1b in /dev! file system creation is aborted

I used your advice and simply entered the loader prompt option 6 and type in

load geom_bsd
load geom_mbr
load geom_label
boot

I didn't have to change the disk geometry. Great! Great! Great!