Mandrake Install Problems

[TheBoyBlunder]

I'm trying to install Mandrake 10.0 on the 40gb drive on the rig in my sig. For some reason, I can start the install process and tell Mandrake how to partition the drive, but naturally it freezes when it starts to format the drive.

At no time during the install does it ask me what sort of mouse I have. It is a generic USB Microsoft Wheel Mouse and it's run through the USB hub on my Microsoft Natural Pro keyboard.

I have tried a text install, and that froze at the same spot as well. I also tried moving the mouse to a USB 1.1 port on my motherboard, and that also froze. I tried installing Mandrake 9.2 to the same drive as well, and that ALSO froze at the same spot.

I'm going to try installing Mandrake through VMWare (running on Windows XP) just to see if it will work or not. If it doesn't work, I'm going to try Suse (that's the only other one I have downloaded). I'm open to helpful suggestions related to my post if anyone has them. Thanks in advance.

Edit: I ran the Western Digital drive diagnostics (both the short and long tests) and they came up clean. I also tried zero-filling the drive, and that went smoothly. However, parition magic crapped itself when I told it to format the drive in any file system and any parition size. It said "error 4, invalid argument."

Edit2: I ran an MD5 sum check on the isos I downloaded, and they were fine.

Edit 3: I've heard ACPI can cause problems with Mandrake, so I'm going to try the following "Solution": (I am going to completely unplug my windows drives first though, I don't have anything backed up)

First step: When you begin the install process press F1 instead of Enter. Type "linux noapic nolapic" and press enter (w/o quotes of course). Go through the install process.

Second step: After you first boot up into Mandrake, open up the Mandrake Control Center ( System > Configuration > Configure your computer OR run command "drakconf").

1. Choose the "boot" option
2. Select "boot loader"
3. Make sure "Force no local APIC" is checked.
4. Select the default boot option, usually "linux", and press modify.
5. Make sure the line has "noapic nolapic"
6. Press OK, and OK again
7. Reboot system (Change won't take effect until reboot occurs)

Also, make sure to set the Hard Drive Disk mode to LBA to prevent corruption of your data. Some people have had trouble booting into Windows on a dual boot system after installing Mandrake 10 w/o LBA being set, so be careful.

Edit 4: I haven't tried to install Mandrake again yet, but Partition Magic worked fine when I deleted any partitions on the drive through the windows disk management utility (see "computer management" in administrative tools)...whenever I get around to installing Mandrake again, I'll let you know how it goes (what with it being the 4th and all).

 

[gobeavs]

Re: mouse install- I think that is taken care of after partitioning if I remember right...
Have you tried a different way of formatting? Partitioning the drive into 3 parts, the linux swap, linux native, and then some useless small partition? I don't know if it would work or not or why it would, I just seem to troubleshoot by adjusting stuff a bit...

 

[TheBoyBlunder]

Originally posted by: gobeavs
Re: mouse install- I think that is taken care of after partitioning if I remember right...
Have you tried a different way of formatting? Partitioning the drive into 3 parts, the linux swap, linux native, and then some useless small partition? I don't know if it would work or not or why it would, I just seem to troubleshoot by adjusting stuff a bit...

That's actually how I've been trying to partition the drive...but that's a good idea. I'll give it some more tweaking and hit google for a solution. In the meantime, more helpful suggestions are welcome.

 

[n0cmonkey]

If PM is dying, I'm guessing it's time to get a new drive.

 

[TheBoyBlunder]

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
If PM is dying, I'm guessing it's time to get a new drive.

Yeah probably...even though the WD diagnostics came through clean. I did find another solution that should be in my first post.