Linux installation problem. please help!

[jckson]

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".

 

[Zet]

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.

 

[Virtual Chatot]

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
https://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/

If neither of these solutions work, then it is definitely your hard drive.

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.

That's not necessarily true, my 62 year old Grandmother managed to pick up Ubuntu quite fast when my Uncle and I decided to get her set up with a linux box.

 

[twocows]

That's not necessarily true, my 62 year old Grandmother managed to pick up Ubuntu quite fast when my Uncle and I decided to get her set up with a linux box.

She didn't actually install it, though, which was his point.

 

[linkinpark187]

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.

 

[Virtual Chatot]

She didn't actually install it, though, which was his point.

Ubuntu is easy enough to install anyway. It is designed to be "Linux for Human Beings" after all.

 

[Zet]

Ubuntu is easy enough to install anyway. It is designed to be "Linux for Human Beings" after all.

It certainly was designed for human beings...... to throw out the window!

/me runs.

I really hope that was a joke giving your grandma linux.

 

[Virtual Chatot]

It certainly was designed for human beings...... to throw out the window!

/me runs.

I really hope that was a joke giving your grandma linux.

No actually, she has even asked me to bring over some books regarding the command line.

She did major in Computer Science however back in the 1980s

xD

 

[Spinor]

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".

"It has been sitting in his Garage for a while"

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

 

[Archer]

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.

 

[Steve Z]

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.

And if you're going to learn Linux, Ubuntu is the way to go, although like any distro, it's still Linux, and Linux is a fickle *****. And as for the IDE/SATA thing, just go to deal extreme and get an adaptor. I had to buy one because my Primary IDE port on my motherboard is dying, so I got an IDE to SATA, or vice versa, adaptor and now it's all good. No more waiting 30 minutes in the morning while it looks for my hard drive. If you really want to do it right, order a free Ubuntu CD from them, and pick up a cheap new CD/DVD drive from Newegg or something. You should be fine.

 

[Mewtwolover]

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".

I've got same message and it was caused by faulty CD/DVD drive. Replace the CD/DVD drive and try again.