Installing Ubuntu 16.04.4-desktop-i386 Unable to mount root fs on unknown block

Devynko · 05-29-2018, 06:17 PM

Installing Ubuntu 16.04.4-desktop-i386 Unable to mount root fs on unknown block. I tried installing other distros and the server distros. All same error. Using USB to boot from.

Ztcoracat · 05-29-2018, 06:39 PM

Hi:

Your best bet is to run the boot information script so someone can take a look at the results.

https://sourceforge.net/projects/bootinfoscript/

Post the results here when you can.

https://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1751574

Ztcoracat · 05-29-2018, 06:45 PM

https://unix.stackexchange.com/quest...known-block0-0

Devynko · 05-29-2018, 07:38 PM

Can I do that even when I dont have an operating system installed?

Ztcoracat · 05-29-2018, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Devynko

Can I do that even when I dont have an operating system installed?

If you don't have Linux installed you won't be able to run that script.
I looked but I don't think that there is such a script for Windows.

Reading online about your error, it sounds like the kernel wasn't able to mount the root file system.

Are you trying to dual boot Windows and Ubuntu on the same drive?

Devynko · 05-29-2018, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ztcoracat

If you don't have Linux installed you won't be able to run that script.
I looked but I don't think that there is such a script for Windows.

Reading online about your error, it sounds like the kernel wasn't able to mount the root file system.

Are you trying to dual boot Windows and Ubuntu on the same drive?

No, I am trying to do a clean install of ubuntu via USB. The hard drive had windows xp, but wont boot after trying to install so many distros but failing.

Ztcoracat · 05-29-2018, 07:57 PM

Did you check the integrity of the .iso file before you made the usb stick bootable?

The .iso might be corrupt.

How did you make the usb stick bootable? Rufus? Unetbootin? What program?

Devynko · 05-29-2018, 07:59 PM

I've tried UNetbootin, and LiLi USB Creator. I've tried these multiple times and formatting each time.

Ztcoracat · 05-29-2018, 08:12 PM

Another Guru that I talked to here recommends Rufus for Windows machines.

https://rufus.akeo.ie/

Check the .iso file and make sure it's ok.

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/suppo...aded-File.html

Can't tell you much more than that. I haven't used Windows in 6 years.

If XP is still on the HDD.....
that would explain one of the reasons that it won't install because there isn't any room on the drive.

Devynko · 05-29-2018, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ztcoracat

Another Guru that I talked to here recommends Rufus for Windows machines.

https://rufus.akeo.ie/

Check the .iso file and make sure it's ok.

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/suppo...aded-File.html

Can't tell you much more than that. I haven't used Windows in 6 years.

If XP is still on the HDD.....
that would explain one of the reasons that it won't install because there isn't any room on the drive.

Shouldnt it format the drive when it install the distro?

Ztcoracat · 05-29-2018, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Devynko

Shouldnt it format the drive when it install the distro?

Yes, if you let Ubuntu take over the whole drive.

In order to install Linux the XP partition has to either be completly deleted from the drive <OR> the XP partition has to be shrunk.
To shrink a partition you would go into Disk Management to do that.

How many HDD are on your machine?

AwesomeMachine · 06-04-2018, 12:43 AM

Are you getting this error when you boot the USB drive? If so, try a different USB port.

_roman_ · 06-04-2018, 08:47 AM

Which hardware do you have? full spec on hardware / cpu and other components.

Did you check if you did not download the wrong file? I assume you need amd64 most likely. i386 is for kinda old computers,

smithpeter · 06-04-2018, 03:06 PM

I installed Ubuntu with the help of https://dellsupports.org/. If you are using dell laptop or desktop call Dell customer care.