Very Slow Mandriva 2006 Install
 

Hi

hoping someone can help.

I have been trying to install mandriva 2006 over the weekend from dvd.

I have been experiencing very very slow installs (wait 30mins to select language, then another 30mins to select keyboard type wait 30mins......)

I have tried the dvd on other pc's back home where installation was a breeze and went really quickly, however my main pc seems to install very slowly. (over 2hrs and still looking for packages to install)

I have swaped DVD players with ones from pcs i isntalled with no problems but this has not remedied the situation.

Would be really greatfull for any help as will not be back home till xmas and would really like to get linux set up on the pc i have with me.

The pc spec is -
1.8Ghz Athlon
1.3gig ram
Geforce 5950 ultra
Lite-On DVD drive (also have a creative dvd-writer which installs very slowly)

Any help would be greatfully appreciated.

Thanks
asdapp

Maybe it's the DVD itself? I know linuxcentral had some issues and had to delay shipment, maybe it's just a bad burn. I'm still waiting for my 2006 to arrive so I can't give any more advice as to why installation's taking so long (huge interrupts occuring?).

If that is the cause of the problem, if i copy the dvd contents to HD and burn on to a new dvd could that solve the "bad dvd" problem

Why don't you try the option dma and see if that helps?

Hi thanks for reply.


Is the DMA an option during install or something that needs to be set in computer bios ?


During install i pressed F1 and looked at all the options but could not see DMA, tried typing that in but was not recognised.


Also looked through bios on pc but could not find a refrence to it in there.


Thanks
asdapp

I don't recall the exact kernel parameter. I know the one for disabling it is [b]nodma[/b} haha but I suggest you look just for that. Dma kernel parameter.

I'm kinda new to the linux and iso burning world BUT I have noticed the faster I burn an install disc the longer it takes for it to install.for instance if I burn my 2005le discs at 16x it may take 40 mins to install.If I burn them at 4x or 2x the system installs in less then 10 mins?

Ive now bought the CD version and installed that and still get same problems. DMA doesnt seem to do anything.

After 3/4 hrs i can finally get installed but always ahve problems installing some important packages, so KDE and GNOME dont work properly.

The main thing i noticed in the instalation summery is that my Graphics Card came up as not configured. Im able to select the appropriate one afterwards.


But would the fact that linux doesnt seem to initialy recgonise it be causing all my problems ?

Currently using a ASUS Geforce FX 5950 Ultra



Thanks
Phil

Maybe your CD drive is defective. I would test that, if you have a spare drive, plug it in and see if that's the problem. Try checking cable connections, make sure the cd drive is not daisy-chained with other stuff on the same power connector. check all connections inside, That's usually a part of a problem.

Hi

thanks for reply.

Yeah ive tried that with 5 different cd / dvd drives.

Im currently using a cd drive that i definatley know works as it has been used to install linux (using same cd's) on a friends pc.
also have tried using a dvd drive that i have isntalled the dvd version of linux on a different computer.


Ive tried your suggestion of the power cables which didnt seem to do anything and ahve also tried all combinations of connecting the cd/dvd drive to the ide cable. (ie as slave to hd, with seperate ide cable set as master / slave / cable select)


Thanks
asdapp

I also have the same problem... Been searching for maybe more people have simalair problems.

I know that I don't have problems with my dvd-rom... I installed Windows XP just before i wanted to install mandriva.

It's not the point that it won't install, it's just very very very ... very... very slow... :S and somehow I can't fix it or do something about it.

I tried burning a DVD on a slower speed like MRDucks said... that didn't had effect, in fact... it wouldn't start to install at all...

If more people have this problem and have an answer to this... PLEASE!!!

minutes after I posted my reply... it struck me...

Sometimes when i left my ex hd in the usb... windows wouldn't startup...

So i looked at my pc... then to my ex hd... then at my pc again... then at my ex hd... and i pulled the plug off the usb...

and suddenly it went like a bang... and in 10 minutes mandriva was installed...

stupid me :$