How to install ubuntu 10.04 with an external disk driver
 

Trying to install 10.04 to an existing Win7 (64) system that uses a RocketRaid 2340 controller. Windows installs just fine; reads the external driver file every time. Linux never has installed on this machine.

I guess I need a lot of handholding here. Thanks in advance.

Did you see this installation guide?
http://www.highpoint-tech.com/BIOS_D...ntu_RR2340.pdf

Your first Linux installation should probably be in a simpler hardware configuration but it looks like Highpoint wants to support Linux. That should help.

Let us know if you have questions.

Yes, I have the guide.
 

Although I'm considered a power user of Windows by my friends, little do they know that much of the HighPoint 2340 Linux Guide is too cryptic for me.

I've successfully installed dual-boot WinXP and Ubuntu 10.04 on two other machines, but these did not require an external driver for the disk controller.

I don't know how to tell if the installer even reads the drover, much less if it is the right one or, for that matter, if it is in the correct format.

Like I said, I need lots of handholding, probably more than is reasonable to ask.

The guide is a step by step type of instruction. It is important to note that it covers the installation of Ubuntu Server. The installation may look different on Ubuntu Desktop so be sure to install Ubuntu Server.

And I think it is worth repeating that your first Linux installation should be on a simpler platform.

The last page of the guide states that when the kernel is upgraded you will have to manually add the driver before you reboot the machine. That means creating a new initrd image and recompiling the kernel. Ubuntu Desktop upgrades the kernel pretty often. I imagine that Ubuntu Server would do the same. That means that this machine could be a lot of maintenance for you. I am positive that one day you will update the kernel and forget to install the fake RAID driver before you reboot. That will be a real PITA for you.

You could potentially add a single disk drive to the computer that is not in the Rocket Raid card and install Linux on that. I think that's what I would do. Then if you update the kernel you could still reboot Linux and install the RR fake RAID driver.

Now that I think of it I don't know if GRUB 2 can access the RR drive. I don't recall seeing that mentioned in the RR installation guide. If GRUB 2 cannot access the RR card then you will have to add another disk that is not part of the RR array in order to store the initrd image.

Sounds like a lot of trouble. I think this plan could lead to you getting discouraged with Linux when the RR card is causing the problems.