Hi, new here and to Linux! I'm having problems installing Kubuntu (also Ubuntu)on my Pc ! I have a Athlon 64 3800+ Bios Version 0502 (01/05/07) 1Go RAM , 2 hard drives ! The first one where XP is on is IDE , the second one is SATA ! I want to install it on the SATA one, but when i put the cd in, it starts, i click on install, but it won't see my SATA HD! I don't know what to do!! If you want more, (or need) information! Feel free to ask! And thanks for all your information, support, and answers!

After you start the k/ubuntu live-cd, go to applications-accessoires-terminal
Disconnect all usb drives.
Type "sudo fdisk -l", and copy and paste the output here. (use code tags)
copying in the terminal is either ctrl-shift-c or right-click: copy
Copying and pasting anywhere else is the same as in windows.

If you see two harddrives (hdax and sdax then it's a problem with the installer. If you don't see them then the sata controller of your motherboard is not supported by linux for some strange reason. If you do a google search for your mainboard model + linux you should see if that's the case.

-- just to make sure: windows does recognize the sata harddisk? When in doubt (from windows) type: win-r discmgmt.msc that should take you to the diskmanager, if I remember correctly.

For the next time, try to include a little more information.

Welcome to the board!

Sorry for not saying if my sata could be read by windows! Yes , windows is reading my SATA HD! all my movies , pictures, musics and games are on it !
I'll do what you told me as soon as i go back home since i'm at school right now! Thanks for replying and i am more than happy to become a member of this forum

Some SATA controllers require drivers that aren't part of the standard Linux kernel. Find out the exact motherboard model that you have, or use "lspci" from a Linux shell prompt to identify the SATA controller.

Verify that the Linux distro supports that SATA controller. Check the motherboard or chipset manufacturer's site for Linux drivers.

Also, make sure that you don't have your SATA controller set to use RAID in the computer BIOS setup. Although Linux works with many SATA controllers it doesn't support RAID arrays on those controllers running in RAID mode. You can sometimes use the "dmraid" program with Linux to support RAID controllers.