Cannot Install linux (several distros)
 

I have a problem, and it happens with almost all distros i've tried. The following is a screenshot from Fedora 3 (PCQLinux).

[ Will post after 5 posts]

In ubuntu, the last thing i see is

"Mounting Hotplug Subsystem"

Mandrake 10.1 hangs as soon as the blue install screen comes up. I've tried running the system on just internal gfx (empty PCI & AGP), but to no avail. Please help. And sorry if i've posted in the wrong place.

Suse 9.1 hangs with a

INIT : ID 6 respawning too fast: disabled for 5 minutes
INIT : no more processes left in thsi runlevel

Someone, please help, and please try to understand that i have no intention of spamming the forum, I just want the permissions to post the screenshot URl so that you may undertsnd my problem better.

What are the specs on your computer? Have you looked at the Hardware Compatibility List (HCL link at the top of the page)? Is your hardware compatible?

I think so, i' ve tried running on just mobo+internal soung+gfx. My mobo is from a less know brand, s maybe ?!

Motherboard - ASRock P4i15GV (845GV)
Processor - Intel 2.4 GHz Prescott
RAM - 2*128 MB Simmtronics @ 333 MHz
GFX - GeForce4 MX 4000 (also tried only onboard Intel Extreme GFX)

Get the:

Http://www.efense.com/helix

boot CD.

Boot from it.

Launch a terminal screen.

Type:

dcfldd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/sda bs=4096 conv=notrunc,noerror

Wait until it is done.

This will pretty much erase your whole hard drive.

Then

Goto Sanderson Forensics website, and act like you are a business. Like set your fax header with a business name. This company is really picky about who they sell to. Get the hard disk utility they have there.

Get DR DOS 7 from http://www.bootdisk.com

Make the boot disk

On a different floppy, copy the hard drive utility.

With the machine off, unplug the hard drive interface cable.

Boot with the DR DOS 7 boot disk you made.

Remove that diskette

Insert the diskette with the hard drive utility on it.

Plug the interface cable back into the hard drive while leaving the machine on.

Follow the instructions for the hard drive utility.

Remove any HPA.

Erase unit.

If setting the password on the drive fails, unplug the power connector to the hard drive for 10 seconds while leaving the computer power on. Be very careful plugging it back in. You can short your power supply to ground if you're not careful. This will only cause a shutdown, but it is alarming. Then plug it back in.

Try to set the password again.

Erase unit

When the unit begins erasing, unplug the interface cable, leave the power connector connected.

After about three hours, shut the machine down.

Reset the bios however your motherboard does that, usually a jumper.

Boot without the hard drive interface cable attached. You don't have to boot into anything, just turn the machine on.

Shut down again.

Attach the hard drive as usual.

Make sure everything is in working order.

Take any floppies out of the drive.

Try to install linux.

Do not install MS Windows again on this drive.

No chance of windows and linux co-existing ?

I can't really explain, but if you install Windows XP to that hard drive again you will be back where you started from. I know it is a lot to ask, but if you follow my instructions you can save your machine.