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Hey Guys!
I am having a problem installing Linux. I have previously installed Linux before on my PC using the GUI of course, as I am pretty new. Anyways, I have an old Compaq Armada laptop that I have previously installed Linux on a couple of years ago. I had reformatted and installed Wind 2k on it. Now, I am trying to install Linux once again, but with no luck.
I keep getting error messages that state that it cannot format the partitions. I have tried 3 distros, including RH9, Fedora, and Mandrake. All have the same problem. To try to resolve the issue I've tried using Partition Magic to format and even low-level formatting, but without any luck. I know the drive is good because all utilities that I have used say that the drive is good. I even installed Win 2K again on it without any problems. Once I try to install Linux though, I receive the same errors.
Do you have absolutely any idea what the heck is going on here? Any and all suggestions are welcome. Thank you all in advance.
jv
Hey Again,
By the way, I have tried Auto partitioning, custom, and every other way of formatting the Linux partitions, but it still does not want to format the disk. I have tried using ext3 and native, but still fails. Writing all zeros to the disk did not change anything either.
Anyone ever have the same or similar problem on the install?
Thanks Again.
jv
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in Mandrak 9.2> "Writing of partition table failed"
in RH9> "Cannot format hd*. A serious error occured..." something like that...
in Fedora> same as RH9...
Sorry guys, but I really don't want to have to try to duplicate the errors again...this takes quite a bit of time going through the installs...
Thanks again. I LOVE THE LINUX WORLD!!!
jv
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Have you checked on www.linux-on-laptops.com?
You're not trying to format a FAT partition (eg type c) with a linux file system (eg type 83)?
Are you able to delete all partitions and let the installation sort them out for you?
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Hey Again!
I have indeed tried to delete all partitions serveral times with Linux and Partition Magic, but without avail.
I have also tried creating the partitions automatically with Linux and maually as well, without any luck.
This problem is definitely odd. I just don't understand why I can format with Windows and install it fine, but not Linux. I understand the way the OS formats the disk is different, but why is is more difficult for linux to format the drive?
Anyways, any help is greatly appreciated!
Have a nice day all.
jv
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Sorry, I didn't mean to confuse you. I CAN delete the partitions and recreate them with Partition Magic, and even format them, but not with Linux.
After doing this with P.M., I try to install Linux again, but the same scenario occurs. For some reason, Linux wants to reformat the preexistng partions, which of course fails. Why can't I use the preexisting partitions like in Windows? Does the Linux install have to format them? The option to keep the partitions seems like it should work, but when I do this, it still trys to format the partitions? This is definitely crazy.
jv
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There is one interesting thing about the OP.
When I display it using IE 6.0:
There are portions that look like links, wave the mouse over them, they give me tooltip like ads.
When I display it using Mozilla 1.4 (Win port):
I don't see the links/ads.
What do ya'll think?
G.
0
jamesv: You should be able to choose not to format the partitions during setup...perhaps only if you do an expert install? You could try passing nodma to lilo/grub on booting the installation CD. Instead of just pressing enter to start setup, try typing "linux nodma" at the prompt. If you have to type something like "expert" to get into the expert install try typing "expert nodma".
Guy: crap web design.
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Thanks for the suggestions. I will continue to troubleshoot this issue. Please feel free to add any further information if you guys come up with anything else.
By the way 3Dave, thanks for the help. What does not passing the dma to lilo/grub do? I know DMA stands for Direct Memory Access and not doing this seems like it will have to be processed by the processor instead of loading straight into memory, but what will this ultimately accomplish? Thnaks again.
jv
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