Description of problem: When install RHEL5.8 on a IBM x3560M4 which is connected to a SAN storage, it reports "Assertion (head_size <=63) at dos.c263 in function probe_partition_for_geom() failed" during installation. After removing SAN connection, then installation can work and did not report any error. Version-Release number of selected component (if applicable): RHEL5.8 How reproducible: 100% in customer site. Steps to Reproduce: 1. connect the system to a san storage. 2. install rhel5.8 3. during installation, anaconda would report the error and installation would fail. Actual results: Get error during installation and can not install the OS. Expected results: Should not get the error. Additional info: RHEL6 does not have this issue even if system has SAN connected.
This request was evaluated by Red Hat Product Management for inclusion in the current release of Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Because the affected component is not scheduled to be updated in the current release, Red Hat is unable to address this request at this time. Red Hat invites you to ask your support representative to propose this request, if appropriate, in the next release of Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
I can probably backport upstream patch 244b1b25a12 " The CHS geometry values are calculated based on the existing partition information. The values can't always be calculated, and the partition may be corrupt so instead of throwing an assertion just return 0 and carry on." You can usually work around this by using dd to remove the partition table and re-partitioning it with parted. Note that this will result in losing the data on the disk.
This bug/component is not included in scope for RHEL-5.11.0 which is the last RHEL5 minor release. This Bugzilla will soon be CLOSED as WONTFIX (at the end of RHEL5.11 development phase (Apr 22, 2014)). Please contact your account manager or support representative in case you need to escalate this bug.
Thank you for submitting this request for inclusion in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5. We've carefully evaluated the request, but are unable to include it in RHEL5 stream. If the issue is critical for your business, please provide additional business justification through the appropriate support channels (https://access.redhat.com/site/support).
The needinfo request[s] on this closed bug have been removed as they have been unresolved for 1000 days