Error: "No operating system" after formating the raid 1 / partition as ext3.

This document (3099959) is provided subject to the disclaimer at the end of this document.

Environment

SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10

Situation

There are times when it is desirable to setup the / partition as a software raid1 partition. This would allow for mirroring of the / partition so that if one drive failed you could boot using the mirrored drive. However, a defect was found when formatting that raid1 / partition as ext3. For some reason when the raid1 partition is formatted as ext3, the initial reboot of the installed OS fails. The following error is observed:

booting from local disk..
No operating system

Resolution

Workaround

If you format the raid1 / partition as reiser rather than ext3 you shouldn't run into this problem.

Disclaimer

This Support Knowledgebase provides a valuable tool for SUSE customers and parties interested in our products and solutions to acquire information, ideas and learn from one another. Materials are provided for informational, personal or non-commercial use within your organization and are presented "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND.