Installing Debian to a hard drive that is connected to the computer by a SATA card

aarcov · 06-13-2010, 05:39 PM

I have an old computer that I want to turn in to a backup server. I was planning on using a 1 TB drive connected by a SATA card since the motherboard only has PATA. However when looking everything I've found makes it sound like I need to install the card for it to work. I want to know if I can install Debian to the hard drive through the SATA card or not? All input is appreciated.

AlucardZero · 06-13-2010, 06:10 PM

Sure, why wouldn't it work?

But you didn't even deign to mention the name or model of the card, so how are we supposed to tell you?

aarcov · 06-13-2010, 07:28 PM

I haven't actually decided on a card to use since I didn't know if it would work. If there is something that would make certain cards not work please let me know.

AlucardZero · 06-13-2010, 07:47 PM

You might have to install the drivers for it, or they might be included in the base installation. Look at some cards and Google them + "linux" to try to find out.

aarcov · 06-15-2010, 08:33 AM

So I should be able to have no os on the computer and just an empty drive and install an os to the hard drive even though it is connected via the SATA card?

thorkelljarl · 06-15-2010, 09:14 AM

Yes...

At POST the system BIOS should recognize the SATA controller card and the card BIOS should recognize the HDD. You want a controller card with a chip that is supported by a module in linux, corresponding to a driver in Windows, to enable the OS to function with that controller chip.

You might consider if you want to have RAID capability, in which case RAID implementation by the chip itself(hardware RAID)is recommended. There is a support list, but the suggestion about using Google on any possible choice is a good one.

https://ata.wiki.kernel.org/index.ph..._driver_status

aarcov · 06-16-2010, 08:15 AM

Thanks