I have a Gigabyte GA-965P-S3 motherboard for the first computer I built. It has a 64 bit dual core CPU. I'd like to use it for Linux. The trouble is that I have only been able to successfully install Windows on it. (My supervisor decided that my home computer should have Windows on it, and I'm thankful for her decision now, though I found it condescending at the time.) I tried to install Debian, but it won't recognize my CD-ROM, though with some generally unsuccessful playing around with it, Debian did find my ethernet card. RedHat also doesn't detect my CD-ROM, but I didn't press the issue any further. Knopplix and Mepis don't seem to have 64 bit installs. I installed Kubuntu, but it won't recognize the ethernet card. BSD didn't like my hard drive.

The thing that annoys me the most and has my supervisor laughing at me is that the Windows installed with no problem. Please help!

ps: It's good natured mockery of me and Linux. My supervisor makes jokes about my youthful enthusiasm. My job is secure.

What version of Debian did you try to install. Sarge is very old for new hardware. I'd be surprised if Etch didn't install on it.

I worked hardest at installing Debian, but Etch net installs wouldn't detect my CD-ROM, which are perfectly normal modern CD/DVD drives. The only Debian installation that came close to working was sarge-custom-1115.iso that I found at http://kmuto.jp/debian/d-i/. It detected my CD-ROM at least and even permitted me to install firefox and surf the web. However, I never got nothing near a functional system from it. It could be somewhat my fault as I had no clue how to get from that install to a workable system. There was some weird issue about the repositories.

If you have a link to a particular Etch install that I should try, I'd be glad to give it a go!

Try Gentoo since you already tried Debian. Debian is old. I suggest buying a 1 Mb NIC like from Linksys, 3Com, or other brands because I do not think your NIC is supported in Linux.

Steps to take to install Linux successfully:
1) Use BitTorrent clients like Azureus (Java based) to download ISO images. This makes it easier to skip doing a md5sum check of the ISO images, because BitTorrent clients automatically check the files.
2) In CD or DVD burning software, select the slowest burn speed. By doing so, the burn pits will be less distorted at the slowest speed than at the fastest speed. Slow is the key. Also select burn from image or similar.
3) In the BIOS, write down all present settings and then enable fail-safe settings. Set Linux drive in LBA mode. Set IRQ to BIOS instead of OS. Check all settings like CPU, memory, DMA on all drives. Do not set memory to an aggressive timings. Save settings and reboot.
4) Insert newly created discs. They should work with out any problems.
5) Install to PATA or ATA hard drives to have less bumpy setup.

Ubuntu 6.10 has installed flawlessly for me, with little/no effort. Are you trying to install the 32bit versions, or the 64bit versions? I ask, because some of the 64bit distros are a little hardware sensitive, software is harder to find, etc. My CPU supports it, but I chose to install the 32bit version of Ubuntu 6.10, and it has worked flawlessly.

IGF

Electro, Thanks for your ideas. I have a couple of questions:
1. There is a Goodwill used computer part store I could visit during lunch. If I buy an old 1Mb NIC there is it likely to supported by Linux? (My Scotch/Jewish heritage is revolted by buying a new NIC when there is a perfectly good one on my machine.)

2. This is dumb question, but how do I check md5sum on windows? (I'm using Firefox DownThemAll to download ISO images.)

3. I may have more questions I try to follow your third suggestion about the BIOS.

I haven't tried to install the 32bit Kubuntu. I figured the issue with the Ethernet Card would remain. But what the hell? If installing another Ethernet card on the computer won't make the 64bit Kubuntu work and if I'm unable to install Gentoo, I'll try the 32bit Kubuntu next.

Hey listen man, i advise you against installing Debian especially on 965 motherboards. Try FC6 64bit. Even on this you have to give some parameters. This is because Intel has made some changes with regards to PATA and SATA.

Here is how its done.
1) Go to your BIOS and change Advanced->Drive Configuration->AHCI(will be IDE initially)
2) Insert the Fedora(Debian) cd/dvd into your drive.
3) Start installation by typing 'linux a),b) & c)'
a) all-generic-ide
b) irqpoll
c) pci=nommconf
4) Once the installation is completed, c) will be added automatically to the kernel parameter, you just add a) to the kernel by modifying /boot/grub/grub.conf. DON'T ADD b)

I've successfully tried and tested this using FC6 on my motherboard. FYI my specs in my sig.
Hope this helps

I would try a recent debian => Knoppix! (released ... today)
http://distrowatch.com/?newsid=03956#0
It has the latest 2.6.19.1 kernel and is generaly a good thing to have on a CD anyway.

It is kind of ironic that Windows installed without any problems. I recently built a new machine and Linux installed perfectly but with Windows XP Professional, I had to download a bunch of drivers to get everything working properly.

Anyway, if you try a Ubuntu/Kubuntu, Mepis or some other CD that includes a live CD you can test everything out before you install. Are you sure that your Bios is set to boot from a CD? I know that is a dumb question, but it seems odd that your machine won't recognize the CD.

1) Fine be an ass. Linux does not yet support the NIC that is in your motherboard.

2) I suggest using BitTorrent clients to help download the images. If did not do that, you have to find an md5sum utility to check the files. You will have to download the md5sum text file too.

Experienced the same with CentOS... then after seeing your post, went to give it a try. Passed all-generic-ide irqpoll pci=nommconf parameters to kernel at the beginning of install and... WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOO! CentOS x86_64 installing!

Thanks a LOT, if you were near now we would eat and drink!

thx a lot..
My Computer config:
intel core 2 duo 1.86GHzx2
intel original 965ry board
512MB DDR2 RAM

Wth all ur supports i had instaled FC6 64 bit..
But wat i did was a minimal installation..
Using jus the ISO Burnt cd' Numbers: 1 and 2

I never used the remaining 5 cd's..
Am unable to install anythin and i cant even hear songs..
It asks for some codec's..
But sound card is working..

Waitin for rplies dude..

My problem is the same: this distro don't start!

I try Mandriva Linux 2007.1 Spring, and it works perfect. My HDD is detected, the IDE-DVD and Network interface also runs OK.

My system:

Gigabyte GA-965P-S3
Intel Core 2 Duo E6300
IDE DVD
SATA II HDD
Ati X1600 (I have a proble with this card... I can't enable 3d aceleration, so I can't use the 3D desktop Metisse (nor Beryl-Compiz)).

I hope it is usefull for somebody!

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