Install Fails - Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 on Dell Dimension 8400
 

Hello LQ.org,

This is a new thread posted of RHEL 3 install issue which I have posted elsewhere on LQ. The two leading suggestions I have been given are:
1) recompile your kernel
2) Change system BIOS to combination rather than SATA Raid or PATA / SATA mode

Would you suggest a how to resolve a RHEL 3
AS installation failure on a new Dell Dimension 8400?

I am trying to install Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 AS
from CD ROMs (brand new less than 1 week old)

Dell Computer (brand new)
Dimension 8400, Intel Pentium 4 Processor 530 (3.0GHz)
w/HT 1MB cache
1024MB DDR2 SDRAM at 400MHz
128MB PCI Express x16 ATI Radeon X300 SE
160GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (Maxtor)
Windows XP Home Edition,SP 2
Intel Pro 1000 Integrated PCI NIC Card

On the motherboard:
Intel 82801FB LPC Interface Controller 2640
Intel 82801FR SATA AHCI Controller
I am trying to get more details about the motherboard
as you read this (today)

Windows Drives
A: Floppy
C: Maxtor 160 GB SATA Hard Drive
D: SEAGATE 160 GB SATA Hard Drive (RAW)
E: CD-RW
F: CD-RW

One week ago I bought a new SEAGATE 160 Hard
Drive and installed it on the motherboard. This is
where I plan to install RHEL 3 AS. Right now there is
nothing on the Hard Drive except a 20 GB partition
VFAT type file system for sharing files between
Windows and Linux

The Problem:
While in the preliminary set up phase I am prompted to
install or search for additional device drivers. I do not see any drivers related to my system so I skip this step and continue.

I then go through the screens to the configure mouse and keyboard just fine.

Then the only message I receive is from anaconda
and it states it is "unable to find any devices to
install Linux" on...and it automatically terminates the
installation.

Anaconda recognizes all of the other attached devices and
peripheral devices except for the 2 SATA Hard Drives.

Recompiling the kernel seems daunting to me, my knowledge of Linux is limited this is a first time attempt at installing any non-Microsoft based OS.

What do you suggest?
Thanks,
- Jimmy

I have the same computer and I was successful in installing SuSe 9.2 by changing the bios to combination mode, but I had to reinstall the pre-installed windows. This didn't take too long because the machine is very fast. I believe the same strategy should also work with RH.

Make sure the SATA BIOS is set to combination, native, or enhanced mode...also, I'd look into downloading the Update 3 Iso's for Red Hat Enteprise 3. Update 3 has an updated kernel on it, which includes expanded support for SATA controllers.