Installation of Ubuntu 8.04 fails repeatedly due to partitioning problems
 

Hi all,

I've been trying to install Ubuntu for most of the day, using the official Ubuntu CD. Don't have Windows, so I just want to put the disc in, and have Ubuntu as my sole OS (no dual-boot etc.). The normal installation always freezes, so I run it in safe graphics mode, and it works fine up until a point.

I get to the step in the installation process that is about partitioning, and as I'm fairly new to this, I initially selected the guided method, and finished the rest of the steps. When it tried to partition, it would get to 5% and then I would get this message:

"Failed to create a file system

The ext3 file system creation in partition #1 of SCSI1 (0,0,0)(sda) failed." (or something similar)

I tried again repeatedly, but always with the same result. Tried to do it manually, and would create a new partition tree (or whatever it's called), create a 20 GB ext3 file system for the /, and also create a 2GB swap one, and leave the rest unfilled, and try to proceed, but I would get the exact same message, also at 5%. I'm getting a bit frustrated, and would be eternally grateful for any advice.

Hi mate,

And welcome to the forums. That sounds like a weird error, but you are apparently not alone. Check this link and see if this helps:

https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/5296

If I were you, I would try to install gparted. GParted is the Gnome Partition Editor application and you may have more luck with that one when creating your partitions. Do this to install/run it:

1 - Boot with you Ubuntu Live CD;

2 - Once you get to your desktop, open up a console (Applications >> Accessories >> Terminal).

3 - Try to run gparted from the Terminal (sudo gparted). If you get a
sudo: gparted: command not found, you will need to install gparted

3a - To install gparted, type: sudo apt-get install gparted

4 - With gparted, create the partitions accordingly. You will need at least two: Swap and /. My personal advice is to create 20GB for "/", 2GB Swap and the rest for your /home. By doing so, you can safely keep all your personal files, configurations and everything else separated from the system, in the case you need to reinstall, upgrade or even try another distribution later on.

Best of luck!

X

Haha this is turning into a bit of a joke.

Gparted doesn't recognise any devices...
But I have the program on a CD so I'll just put it in, boot up and do it that way. Thanks for the tip!

Also what file systems do you recommend for the / and home?

ext3?

Which Ubuntu version are you trying to install mate? Maybe an older version could have problems identifying some newer HD's =). Not sure though. Well, Ubuntu will default all your partitions to ext3 and that is a good one, in my humble opinion. It is definitely not the fastest, but it is solid and you can't go wrong with it =)

8.04 is the one I'm trying to install.

I used Gparted to partition my hard drive, and that certainly solved that problem. Unfortunately, at around 66% of the installation I got this message:

"The installer encountered an error copying files to the hard disk:

[Errno 5] Input/output error

This particular error is often due to a faulty CD/DVD disk or drive, or a faulty hard disk. It may help to clean the CD/DVD, to burn the CD/DVD at a lower speed, to clean the CD/DVD drive lens (cleaning kits are often available from electronics suppliers), to check whether the hard disk is old and in need of replacement, or to move the system to a cooler environment."

I don't think it's the CD, since I ordered that from Ubuntu. My laptop isn't that old (September 2006) so I guess I'll try again, and if this problem persists take it into the shop.

Thanks so much for the help!

No problems mate. I hope you get it to install though, it is a pretty sweet distribution. Well, you are half way through now =). That error message could also be caused by overheat. Running Linux from a CD makes the CD/DVD-unit spins like there is no tomorrow. If you get that error again, just let it cool down for a while and try again.

Since you got the CD from Ubuntu, we can almost eliminate the possibility of a faulty CD (could happen, but the chances are so small that we should not worry at this stage :)).

While you are installing it, try to read the Ubuntu guide. It has answers for a lot of common questions about Ubuntu, like installing codecs or sharing media through samba:

http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Hardy

Best of luck!

Booted up using the live CD this morning, and tried to install, and it got stuck at 78% "Configuring system locales...", was at that for over an hour. Though I think once again it's because the drive was a bit hot, since between booting up and installing I went for a half-hour jog, showered and had breakfast. I'm letting it cool off now, will try again later. Thanks for the help.