netinstall Dell Latitude D610 can't mount CD-ROM
 

I am trying to install Debian testing on a Dell Latitude D610, but the install fails because it can't mount the CD-ROM. The CD-ROM is a CDRW/DVDROM made by TSSTcorp, model TSL462C. Could it be that the installer doesn't have a new enough kernel to properly access the drive? Could I install from a USB drive and then add in CD-ROM support after the fact?

etch has 2.6.12x default kernel.sid has 2.6.14x kernel. Does your lspci show ide sata controller? How are drives setup in your bios? You might gain by reviewing your lappy at http://tuxmobil.org/dell.html for debian install on that lappy. Having kanotix20005-04 or knoppix live-cd handy may help with config too.

I used a Knoppix CD to run the lspci command. The output does show SATA. Knoppix can access the hard drives fine, but the install CD cannot. Any ideas?

Check knoppix kernel version and use debian netinstall version with high enough kernel version. you can install knoppix which is based on sid mainly or kanotix2005-04 live-cd. Check tuxmobile listings. You have to do research and know your hardware before installing debian or any linux.

I'm trying the newest build of the netinstall image. How do I know which kernel it is using? Is it possible to replace the kernel and make your own CD? I have searched many many listings for my model laptop, but none with the particular model CD-ROM mine is using. I also tried swapping the CD-ROM from another machine (Sony DW-D56A DVD+-RW) and had the same problem.

Which version of the netinstall CD are you using? If it's for Sarge, try typing linux26 at the boot: prompt.

Or download the development Etch installer, which is a gui.

http://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/da...86-netinst.iso

your cdrom model doesn't matter it is the connector/controller(ide,sata,pcmcia,usb) that it uses that must be recognized. See my earlier post regarding kernel versions in netinstall cds.
Several of those tuxmobile debian install references will tell you that sarge 2.6.8 kernel wont work with D610 sata. Need kernel from etch at least or knppix or kanotix2005-04.

Before I could post again I realized that it was in fact an issue with the SATA controller as you posted. I thought that the netinstall CD's used a 2.6 kernel by default? I will try it again tomorrow and see how it goes using that boot option. I understand I need a newer kernel for it to work, I just didn't understand why it wasn't using one on a CD image I just downloaded, but I see now it may be the boot option I wasn't supplying when the CD boots.

Some people have also needed the etch installer because sarge uses a 2.6.8 kernel (when using the linux26 boot option), etch uses 2.6.12...

I was able to get Debian installed at last. I am posting from that new install now. I had to use the grahical installer which installed the 2.6.15 kernel. Now that I am booted into my new system I can start working on making the other hardware work properly. Thanks for the info