I downloaded the latest DVD images of Sarge, and attempted to install. I used linux26 at the boot. After going through the language and keyboard information, it says that the install can not detect my cd-rom (ironic how thats what the install is being ran from!). I have tried a few of the default drivers, and got mroe and more error messages, so I finally booted back to Windows. My only cd-rom is my Liteon LDW-851S. While searching on Google, I found no reference on how to make it work, but I saw references to people using theirs in linux, so obviously there is some way for it to work. Any suggestions? Past experiences? Thanks.

Check your MD5 Sums... I downloaded Fedora 2 the first day... burned the ISO's without testing.. and disc 1 & 2 were bad... The install started at first... but then told me to Please insert Fedora Core Disk 1 into the drive... (Like you, that's what I was running..) After a couple hours of ranting and raving--never having though to check MD5's--I went to check them... Disk 1 & 2 were bad, like I said... but 3 & 4 were fine...

I re-downloaded the first 2... they both checked out... and I started again... this time without a hitch.... Check 'em.. I'd bet that's the problem...

Good Luck!!

I downloaded the DVDRs with jigdo, which checks and creates the iso files itself, I believe?

I have the very same DVD drive on my PC at home and I installed Debian unstable on it last week, so the problem seems strange. If your computer is connected to a rapid internet connection, you may try using the netinst CD image and download the needed applications after installation. The netinst CD is what I used. I didn't try the DVD image.

I don't know how Jigdo doe things... it seemed kind of strange to me... I would recommend downloading the "netinst" ISO for Sarge... then install from that... I used my cable connection and had a full and great running system in less than an hour.. then I used apt to get X-Chat, gaim, and firefox... I'm sure that would work too.. sorry about you're DVD ISO... i don't know what to tell you.. does Jigdo make the iso image for you to burn to disc?? if so... I would still recommend checking the SUM...

Good Luck!

I'm having this problem with Debian and Slackware.. the only two distros I have intrest in. If I try to boot the normal 2.4.x kernel, the install freezes when it is probing for USB drives and I have to hit the reset button on my computer. I have "Legacy USB support" activated in my BIOS, simply because without it, the keyboard and mouse were not fucntioning, and i could not hit enter to boot the installer. I want linux! I downloaded and installed Xandros, but I just couldn't seem to get a good feel of it, and quit. Just seemed TOO dumbed down for my liking.

Oh, and the versions of Debian I have tried are: Woody (minimal cd download and 2 dvd set), and the netinst cd image of Sarge with the "RC1 install."

I've had similar problems with the debian installer.

Hardware specs.

p4 3ghz hyperthreading disabled.
intel d865perl motherboard
1 gig pc 3200 kingston
Sata 160 gig hard drive
Nvidia FX5900 video
onboard lan and sound.

The install works fine (linux26), gets to the point where I tell it what packages I want and I choose desktop, leaving all the other options blank. After downloading the packages I get an error that they could not be installed and to view my logs. I was able to install Fedora Core 2 without a hitch, but i'm not sure how to view my logs (I'm really new at this). So I dont know exactly what the error is. I really want to get deeper into linux. Fedora was a little to light for me, I dont really understand whats going on. I think by moving to debian, I might get a deeper understanding of how linux works.

If the packages didn't install, you can probably see what happened by running "apt-get" manually. Exit the base configuration program, and enter the command: as root and see what (if any) errors you get. The above command may fix things. If it does, you can enter the command: as root and select desktop packages again, to make sure everything is installed, and see if that works. If there is a particular package giving a problem, post the error you see and I'm sure somebody here will help you.

Now someone fix my problem?

Not sure if this would help (in fact I doubt it), but I tried to install Debian on my friend's PC with the very same Debian disc that I used to install mine and it didn't work (froze when it was scanning the hard drive or something). It worked once we tried installing it with the 2.6 kernel rather than the default 2.4 kernel that comes with sarge.

As I said in my first post, loading the 2.6 kernel leads to my cdrom not being found/mountable when I got into the installation. With the 2.4 kernel, it simply just dies while probing USB prior to starting the installation.

Well, I too don't know if this will help, but..... Did you try booting the installer in the "expert" mode, so that you are prompted at each step? You can then see exactly where it is freezing, and may be able to work around it.

You should also definitely file a bug report to Debian with the specific hardware details in it. A previous version of the Sarge installer wouldn't work on my Inspiron 8000 Laptop. I filed a bug report (along with a few others) and it led to a work around being added to the installer specifically for Dell laptops, so now I can install it with no problem. Debian developers do listen to users.

And you have to keep in mind the sarge installer is still in beta too. So of course there will be bugs for some people.

Try seeing if you can boot disabling certain features.

I reckon if you try passing 'nodma' and/or 'noscsi' as a boot option, you might have a bit more luck.

Also, if it's and IDE drive, make sure it's not using Cable Select, but is actually set as a Pri/Sec Master/Slave....