I'm trying to install CentOS as a dual boot option from a DVD-rom. The main installation screen pops up when I boot from the disk. When I start the install process about 10 seconds in it says that it is going to reboot the kernal. But it just restarts back at the main install page where I started.
I'm trying to install on an HP Pavilion vx74w with:
Intel Celeron 2.9Ghz
256MB RAM
160GB HD with 2 partitions

I've also tried it on an unformatted 80GB drive but had the same problems.

All help is greatly appreciated!!

Are those sata drives?
If so what sata controller does the HP use?
Centos and other redhat clones have poor support on the install on sata drives. But once installed it recognoses many sata controllers. It just the installer does not have the sata support added.

Brian1

ya they are both sata drives...im not sure about the controller....
how can i make the installer recognize the drive?
Do you know any other distros that would work better?

Ya they're both sata drives... im not sure bout the contoller though....
Is there anything i can do to make the installer recognize the drive?
Or do you think a different distro would work better?

Give this a try. Download Knoppix Live CD and burn the ISO image and boot from it. Once up see if Knoppix can see the drives. Also in the Hardware tools you can see the model of controller and brand as well. Make notes of that. Also do a lsmod command to see what modules it loaded. Maybe one of them says sata or something.

Now if the manufactor has a module floppy that matches distro version and relase version you can use that to install with. They should have the need info to do this.

If that is not possible then try making changes in the bios and set the sata channel to say pata mode or others and see if you can install to that.

Last option which I have done in the past. Install and IDE drive and install FC to it. Then once all is going you can then boot up with Knoppix or a System Rescue CD ISO and use the tools to copy partitions from IDE to Sata. Or it is possible Ghost for Linux may support the sata controller and then you can use the the option to copy drive to drive.

Other distro that have sata support seem to be Gentoo and Ubuntu on the install.

Brian1

Knoppix worked great!!! Thx

Glad to be of help.

Brian1