Linux and HP Workstations
 

Hi everyone - I think I am in way over my head here.

I am trying to install Ubuntu on a xw6000 HP workstation. It won't install and I get the "initramfs" screen when I try to check the CD or "try without any changes..."

From everything I am reading I have to change the SATA to IDE - I have no clue how to do this, my BIOS isn't "normal" aka - what I am used to. It's Adaptec SCSI utility and I can chose different controllers. I have no idea how to change anything.

I went to the HP site and they have a special CD for using Linux on the workstations, but it seems to be configured for RedHat software, which to my understanding costs money. I wanted Ubuntu b/c it's free.

I am really really lost, if someone could give me a step in the right direction here I would really appreciate it.

Thanks

I am not sure the exact spec of the workstation as it was given to my by my work and was wiped clean before I took it. I did find out that it's an Intel E7505 chipset and there is 35gb Maxtor HD in it, also there are 2 xeon processors @ 2.4 ghz and 512 RAM

You can use the Centos equiv of RedHat, its free (assuming HP haven't customised it.)
Actually, according to the GPL, they have to give you the source free anyway. If they've added proprietary extensions, that's a different qn.
Post the website.

Thanks,

So I went to the website....I guess I should download the drivers CD from HP, and run it, then install the CentOS 4.7 i386?

But I can't install Ubuntu? b/c of the drivers/SATA issue?

Sorry, I didn't quite understand the post

The website is
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport...779&taskId=135

Also I think my HD is NTFS - some of what I am ready says that linux can only read off FAT32?

The default FS for Linux (native) is ext3, with others avail eg xfs, jfs etc.
It can also read MS formats eg NTFS, VFAT (FAT32), FAT.