Install centOS5 in a Vostro 200
 

I am trying to install centOS 5 in a new Vostro 200 but it keeps asking me for a driver. It gave me a list of driver but none of them match mine.
I have a DVD drive TSST corp DVD+RW TS-H653A and one 80GB HD.

I am guessing it is looking for a harddrive controller based on the info I do see. So my guess Centos does not have the needed controller module in the anaconda installer. Need to know about the controller interface and pci id would also help. My guess is a sata controller. Now if onboard then there may be an option in the bios called legacy ide or pata for something for the controller channel. Change it and se if it installs.

Brian

Hi Brian:
I use a DVD with centOS 5 for installation. When the computer started, I hit F12 and then chose CDROM. After this, it just asked for a driver.
Where in the BIOS do I need to change?
Thanks very much
Helen

Don't know anything about your system but the manual should mention something about bios or when the system comes up hit certain key or a few keys at the same time to enter it. If you got some family or friends that know about computers they should be able to help.

Do you know the type of connection the drive is?
You might look into the Live cd of fedora and boot from the cd and see what it does.

Brian

Hi Brian:
I have a DVD fedora 7. I tried to boot the computer from the DVD by hitting F12 and then chose boot from CDROM. The problem was that fedora 7 does not recognize the DVD driver. I tried the same method with an old computer and it did recognize the DVD driver. The problem was that my dell vostro 200 is too new and fedora 7 does not have that driver. I called Dell but they told me they do not support Linux and they don't have linux driver for the DVD.
I went to fedora project to find live CD but I only found a page for people, who want to contribute to live DC fedora and nothing for downloading.
Do you have any suggestion?
Thanks very much
Helen

In order to access the BIOS you will tap on the F2 key when you see the Dell screen which is displayed during startup. If you are not comfortable with making changes to the BIOS settings then you may want to call Dell Tech support and ask them to assist you with the changes. I suggest you omit any information about your plans for installing Linux or the support tech may drop the call.

Hope this helps

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Yesterday I bought a Dell Vostro 200 without OS and had the same problem. A search in Google lead to the a URL, which I am not able to upload as this is my first reply and I need to earn at least one point.
The line is copied from there.
"The solution is to press tab before starting the installation at the screen the disc loads first so that you can add kernel options, and add 'irqpoll' as a option by typing it in as one of the arguments. This solves the problem. Felt like sharing."
This may help you. (I have not yet tried this)

-- SVLN
__________________

Install centOS5 in a Vostro 200
 

during installation of CentoS 5.1, I am facing the same problem.
I am pressing <F4> to enter the kernel mode during installation, and here I am giving
> linux irqpoll

this starts the intallation in text mode...but suddenly it goes to the GUI mode and asks for the drivers.......any solutions.......
I am not able to proceed on this....

I have a Dell Inspiron 530s that can install CentOS 4.5 and not Centos5.1 ! The reason why 5.1 has got a problem seems to be the as reported above. This is the first time I am convinced that not all new things are good. But somehow I am stuck with CentOS 4.5 on that machine.

To put in Centos5.1 you might need to change an entry in BIOS to RAID, and it should work. I have tried that once and it worked (but I didn't install since I was just testing)

A quick update: I did some experiments and I basically hit weird problems.
Please follow a similar thread I have a created.
http://www.centos.org/modules/newbb/...17183&forum=37

You need to turn on AHCI RAID
 

I had the same problem installing this on a Vostro 200 from Dell. the computer hang when I was installing CentOS 5.5 on initializing the Hard Drive using ATA_piix driver.

The solutions for this is going to the BIOS of the machine, and on the IDE settings change it from IDE to RAID, save the changes and reboot. Once you get this done the machine should say during reboot time AHCI bios installed.

Run once more your bootable CD or DVD , and you will see that now it will load a different driver. This time it will work, it did for me so I am sure it will for you.

Regards, and remember sharing is caring :P

Best .....