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3.1.1 Using Parted with CHS mode BIOS

Linux usually detects the BIOS geometry automatically. However, sometimes it gets it wrong. In this case, you should tell it yourself, by passing a parameter to Linux. For example, if Linux thinks your hard drive `/dev/hda' has geometry 256/64/63, but the BIOS setup program says the geometry is 512/32/63, then you would pass this parameter to Linux:

hda=512,32,63

Parameters are passed in different ways, depending what boot-loader you're using. You are probably using LILO. In this case, you add this line to `/etc/lilo.conf': (You then need to run @command{/sbin/lilo}, and reboot for the change to take effect)

append="hda=512,32,63"

Parted can usually detect if Linux has detected the incorrect geometry. However, it cannot do this if there are no partitions on the disk. In this case, you should check yourself. It is very important that you do this.

Sometimes, Parted will complain that the partitions aren't aligned to cylinder boundaries. Parted will give you the option to ignore. If you ignore, then Parted will do some tricks with your partition table. Linux will have no problems. DOS and Windows will have no problems if they are using LBA mode. If DOS/Windows is using CHS mode, then reinstalling the the boot loader (see section 4.3 Legacy Microsoft Operating System Bootloaders) should solve any problems - but switching to LBA mode is preferrable (see see section 3.1.2 Converting from CHS to LBA mode BIOS).

Partitions that are involved in the boot process must end before cylinder 1024, if CHS mode is being used. See the section on boot loaders to determine if a partition is involved in the boot process. The typical setup is to have a small Linux `/boot' partition, a Windows partition and then the Linux partition(s).


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