Hi all,
I am trying to install Red Hat 9.0 from a dvd onto a Dell GX 110. I go through the pre-install fine, but when it comes time to format my hard drive and install the packages I get the following error message:


An error occured tryinf to format hda2. This problem is serious and install cannot continue. Please press enter to reboot.

I tried changeing a few of my options, but I get the same error. I even tried to run the install in the text based mode and get teh same thing. the pc had windows xp on it before I tried to install red hat. Can anyone give em a hand at this problem? I am new to linux, taking it for a class, and would apprciate any help anyone can offer me.

thanks,
David

did you partition the drive, or wipe the windows partition? Vague memories of that message to do with no space to install.

Regards
Richard

Do you still have a functioning XP install?

If so, try chkdsk /F to fix errors on the drive.

My SuSE installer wouldn't re-partition until I did this.

Otherwise you'll need a boot floppy or cd with some disktools to format and repartition the drive it would seem.

above post... good point. I cannot image windows machines unless I do those checks, so may well be correct.

Regards
Richard

I wiped out all partitions. I am running a reinstall xp as we speak. My boss seems to think that maybe the NTFS might ahve a problem, so I am trying to install xp with FAT32. I will let you all know the progress.

Thanks for the input folks :-D

OK, I re-installed Xp with the FAT32 and tried to install linux again, it did get further, but now it seems to be stalled at installing the linux kernel. I am hoping it is because it is a large file *praying on my knees*.

I did it. I changed the format from ext3 to ext2. I don't know what difference that made but it worked. I appreciate all the ideas I got. This will really help me in my class.

Have a great day and again thanks for the help.

David