Hey all. I've been searching everywhere for a solution to this, and so far I've only run into poorly translated Russian websites. Hopefully you can help this newbie out.

I am doing an install of Mandrake 10.1 (hard drive is a dual partitioned SATA drive, first partition is WinXP, second partition reserved for MDK10.1)

When it gets to the first screen during the install, it says "Loading Driver for SCSI Adapter (Intel Corp.l182801FR/FRW (ICH6R/ICH6RW) SATA CONTROLLER), driver is ata_piix" and stops. Nothing else happens at this point. The MoBo is an Intel D915PBL.

I switched over to see the Kernel message, and it says:
*have to insmod ata_piix
*needs libata
*needs ata_piix

From what I've read, I need either a libata patch or some other kernel patch. I also tried installing by typing: linux noacpi

I tried a few other command lines, but nothing works. If I go into EXPERT mode, it locks solid on the first screen.

So, if I do need this libata patch, where do I get it and how the heck do I install it? I figured it would be something easy to find online, but I've come to a dead end.

Thanks!!!

Have you checked the MD5sums on you iso cd images to verify a successful download?

Yep. They are all just fine. It's something with the Serial ATA drivers for my motherboard...I think. Anyone else know what it could be? I tried running Knoppix 3.7, and it booted up just fine on this system, so I am clueless.

Maybe it's that it might not support your harddrive. But does support some.

Check your harddrive at: http://www.mandrakelinux.com/en/hardware.php3

First, I checked Mandrake's site and it shows my motherboard as being certified and working 100%...odd.

Hmm. Well, I went ahead and installed Redhat WS 3 instead, and it worked fine. However, I don't have a Redhat subscription, but I have a Mandrake Subscription. Bummer!

I'm really bummed about this, because the office I work at already purchased the Mandrake Club membership and what-not (although it's pennies compared to M$ 2k3 server).

I don't suppose there's a way to get Redhat drivers into a Mandrake installation is there? I still think it has something to do with the "insmod ata_piix" (I assume this means I need to install an ata_piix module?)

Being converted from a winblows junkie to a Linux newbie is rather frustrating, especially when it doesn't even work right. Thanks for you help.