So, here is my problem:

I have a strong desire to learn Linux. So Fry's had a sale on some barebones and I went and picked up a shuttle barebones, built it, and tried to install Linux on it (Suse 10.2, fedora 6, Unbuntu and Kubuntu) All to no avail. The problem is that the Installers are not detecting my SATA drives, run by the SiS 966L chipset. So, I do some searching and find a SATA driver that supports my chipset, but I don't know how to install it.

So can I add these driver to an ISO before I burn it to CD? If not, how would I go about adding these drivers so that Linux will see my SATA drive during installation? All I have available to me is a Windows box, if that makes any difference. Here are the names of the files (and extensions) I am trying to add.

sata_sis.c
scsi.h
scsi_obsolete.h
scsi_typedefs.h
The package also has a make file too.

Thanks in advance for the help

Might see if the bios can set the sata channel to pata or legacy IDE.
One can build a driver disk for say fedora but you need fedora using the same kernel the installer anaconda uses to build the module against. There are a few web links on this but not at my regular notebook for reference. search google.

Brian

The BIOS was one of the first things I tried and nothing seemed to work. As to that second option......I have no idea what you said.

To add something to an ISO, you have to basically *unzip* the ISO and rebuild it. But, as with any OS, the first part of the install is when a barebones OS is loaded in. That requires initrd. You'd have to rebuild initrd. Unfortunately, that's where my expertise stops.

I use Slackware. The latest Slackware 11.0 was easily able to find my SATA drives. I installed Slackware on a partition, then RAID'd my SATA drives together and installed Slack on the RAID partition. Slackware is a really powerful Linux variant, tho. It's great if you knew Unix or if you really want to sink your teeth in it.

--vonSt

If it has an open slot, pop in a controller that does work, install your favorite linux, and use that to build a kernel for the mobo controller.

Yeah, I was afraid I was going to have to get a separate controller, but I will give Slackware a try. I have no problem trying out a more advanced distro, gonna have to learn it all sometime.

You know how when you boot the install disk then you have to press enter to start anaconda (or w/e) or you can install in text mode etc, I thought there would be a switch to load an extra module into the install... you know like how windows install says 'Press F6 to install 3rd party RAID/SCSI drivers...' or am I totall mistaken? I remember having to do something similar to Ubuntu to get my nVidia NIC working...

That's a good point. In Debian, there is a command "anna-install". It will install udebs. The problem is going to be getting the udeb for this device in the first place.

Well after even more searching I found out that the latest Kernal 2.6.21 has support for my SATA driver....but I can;t find a distro with it 2.6.21 yet. Anyone know of one that does have it?

If Debian unstable doesn't have it yet, it should soon. It looks like they're at 2.6.20

I'm pretty sure [based on reading] 2.6.20 has good SATA support (not using SATA, so I can't directly confirm.) If so, try ZenWalk Live. It's Slackware 11, a full-featured live CD, very extensible, in fact the easiest-to-remaster (exc for pos Puppy Linux.) It comes w/ 400+ MB of tools, apps, games, etc. Also has a good team of people+forum behind it....Jet

I just wanted to say that I found an Alpha build of Suse 10.3. It found my drive and works like a charm. Thanks for all the help and input.

You need load driver for SATA drive. Probably ata_piix or something. Check with vendor detail. Add that to /etc/modprobe.conf file if you are running Fedora /Redhat 4 and above.
Then load the module with modprobe -v and check with lsmod |head