I want to install enterprise linux 3 on a dell dimension 8400 system which has a serial ATA hard disk. Just want to know if it is supported on enterprise linux 3 or not and any other hardware related issues with dell dimension 8400 and enterprise linux.

Thanks

i got one and tried to install Fedora 1 but it didnt recognize the hard drive until i went into the bios and changed it from SATA to dual PATA/SATA mode. it also didnt recognize the network card and i havent tried the DVD (works with a boot CD though). I am going to try Fedora 3 next. Otherwise Bill wins and i go back to windows. :P

Hey kmlinux12,

I have a very similar Dell system to you. It is less than 1 month old and I bought a copy of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 on CD ROM from Red Hat and I am receiving the same message "Unable to recognize HD” I am in the process of learning how to get the SATA Hard Drive recognized. I have no solution yet but I have been suggest to do two things: 1) recompile your kernel and 2) change system BIOS to combination rather than SATA Raid. I have not tried either yet because I am looking for more specifics first. If you choose #2 you have to reinstall Windows…I do not know if RHEL 3 will install even if I make the change.

Let me know if you find anything, I will do the same.

Thanks,
- Jimmy

thats what worked for me. the default bios setting on dell is the cause of the problem. good luck.

kmlinux12,

What steps specifically did you have to make? Did you have to download and install additional drivers or was the BIOS change all you needed to do?

You changed the BIOS to Combination mode. Then what?

Did you have to reinstall Windows?
Are you running a dual boot Windows and RHEL system?

Are you able to leave the BIOS in Combination mode and have both Windows and RHEL boot?

Thanks,
- Jimmy

just change to combination mode. no need to reinstall windows as long as you have unpartiioned space to install redhat.

I have not yet done a dual boot but will do it sometime in the next few weeks. I have unpartioned space on my hard drive and just tested if the redhat installation cd boots up when i put in and it does. make sure you change the bios boot sequence to boot from the cd first.

after the install in done i may have to install some drivers depending on what is not detected properly in redhat.

i currently only have xp installed and will do the redhat install in a few weeks when i am a little free.

I installed SuSe 9.2 on a Dell Dimension 8400 by changing to combination mode and reinstalling windows. It works and I have dual boot.

This is extremely helpful. Thanks for saving me so much time!