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Linux installation problem. please help!
Hi!
I am trying to install linux(ive tryed Fedora 12, ubuntu 9.10 and 9.04) on my desktop computer that my friend gave me. it had been sitting in his gorage for a while. when linux gets about half way installed an error message comes up and says: "The installer has encountered an error coping files to your hard disk, this error is often due to a faulty CD/DVD disk or drive, or a faulty hard disk. it may help to burn the cd/dvd at a lower speed, to clean the cd/dvd drive lens to check weather the HDD is old and in need of replacement, or move the system to a cooler environment". |
The burning of the iso probably failed or it's just your machine. But in any case I'd advise against installing linux if you have no idea what you're doing with it.
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The computer is telling you like it is; your hardware is probably kaput.
My advice? Try to get a hold of an external CD drive, or try to boot Ubuntu 9.10 from a USB drive. Booting Linux from a USB http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/ If neither of these solutions work, then it is definitely your hard drive. Quote:
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I would say try the HDD first. Most HDD's have an average lifespan of 5 years, so it could be a failing HDD. I would also suggest what Virtual_Chatot said about the external DVD/CD-Rom drive. I'd even possibly go as far as to replace the one that is currently in the computer. If those fail, attempt another burn of the DVD/CD. It could also be caused by a bad IDE cable (as I'm guessing the age of the computer), so I would suggest running to your local computer parts store if you don't have any laying around.
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/me runs. I really hope that was a joke giving your grandma linux. |
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She did major in Computer Science however back in the 1980s xD |
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No wonder. If its been sitting there for a while you either screwed the DVD Burner or you got the Hard Drive on the verge of screwedness with probably all the dust. For all you know are you sure a spider didn't die in there when you got it out and turned it on? You should probably replace both the hard drive and the DVD drive. It's not too hard and simple 100GB drives aren't expensive anymore. And that is more than enough for Linux to live happily. Make sure you check if your computer connects to the hard drive through EIDE or SATA. If the connection is a wide thing that connects to pins on the disk, then it's EIDE. If it's a small, wide cabe, often orange, that connects with an ¬ -like connection, then it's SATA. Impossible to be confused. :P |
Installing Linux on a spare machine is undoubtedly the best way to learn it. If you've tried multiple distros, then it sounds like either the Disc Drive or HDD as mentioned. At the main menu when you boot Ubuntu, at least, there is an option to test the disc (NOT memory test). Do this, as it should run the laser across all of the data, so if the discs fail during that, then it's most likely a faulty Disc Drive. In which case, it's a very cheap or free replacement. If they pass, it's your hard drive and it's probably dying.
As AK47 said, if it's an older computer, it may have only IDE [::::::::::::::::::::] cables, in which case, you'll need an IDE drive, with the same port on the back. If it does have Sata [-¬], then you'd be better using that, as it's faster, generally cheaper, and a hell of a lot less messier. |
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