HD Prob, first one of these ever

Forum: HD Install
Topic: HD Prob, first one of these ever
started by: JackHowell

Posted by JackHowell on Nov. 07 2006,22:28

Hi all,

Just started using DSL after having a windows OS (yukk). Neways, before I put the DSL iso on a disc someone recommended i used kubuntu as my linux OS. When I tried I had a HD problem where there was an error formatting it using the EXT3 format type. I tried formating it thru DSL, however, I too was unsuccessful. The problem is that because of this i cannot save or rembmer any settings or even copy my DSL disc to the HD. If ne one knows what to do I would greatly appreciate your response. Also, just a note, when i boot up my laptop w/o the DSL disc i get a screen which says Operating System Not found.

Thx all for your help,
Jack Howell

Posted by ^thehatsrule^ on Nov. 07 2006,23:46

I think you could try mkfs.ext3
Use "mk <tab> <tab>" for more.

You'll probably need to be root as well, so prepend sudo to the command.

Posted by skaos on Nov. 08 2006,12:50

In case you haven't done it, before formatting you have to partition the disk with cfdisk (as root).

Posted by JackHowell on Nov. 08 2006,14:01

guys im kinda new to this and hav literally no idea wat u mean by some of the stuff u said. I did try inserting a windows os disc and partitioning the drive but i got a drive is damaged error. Mayb its my drive?

Posted by ^thehatsrule^ on Nov. 08 2006,14:25

If you want to use DSL, the commands can be used by opening the ATerminal icon on the desktop.

Posted by JackHowell on Nov. 08 2006,14:27

you think u could walk me thru the process of paritioning with DSL right now? i am currently running it. when i typed cfdisk on Aterminal i get a fatal error, disc cant be opened

Posted by skaos on Nov. 08 2006,14:49

Try: cfdisk /dev/hda
Where /dev/hda is your disk (primary master). If you still get the error message your disk may be dead. You could try this to check that: badblocks -svw /dev/hda
Note that the 'w' option will overwrite the entire disk. If that command also gives a similar error then your disk probably is dead. On the other hand, I once "fixed" a dead CD-burner by taking out the cables (both ends) and reseating them a few times. As a last resort you may try that.

Posted by ^thehatsrule^ on Nov. 08 2006,14:51

cfdisk will look at /dev/hda by default.

If indeed he has a drive at hda, you just probably need root permissions, so you could run "sudo cfdisk"

Posted by JackHowell on Nov. 08 2006,20:01

i tried sudo cfdisk and i got a fatal error, somthing like disk cannot be read. Am i screwed at this point or do i still hav a chance?

like right now im running from the DSL cd every time and everything gets saved into ram, well in other words nothing gets saved

Posted by ^thehatsrule^ on Nov. 08 2006,21:30

Did you try skaos' suggestions? It may work. Another thing is to totally wipe your whole hdd using dd i guess... but it's probably better to try that badblocks thing first.

Posted by JackHowell on Nov. 09 2006,12:31

I typed badlocks and the rest of his code in to the A_Terminal window but its says that the command is unrecognized.

Mayb im typin or doing somthing wriong?

Also...what is this frugal installation?

Posted by skaos on Nov. 09 2006,13:21

You forgot the second 'b' in badblocks. You also have to run it as root.

Posted by ^thehatsrule^ on Nov. 09 2006,14:06

re: frugal, see the dillo startup page, or on the wiki

Posted by JackHowell on Nov. 09 2006,14:16

ooo thx, im gonna try it. and how exactly do u run it as root?

Posted by skaos on Nov. 09 2006,14:36

On the menu (in fluxbox rightclick on the desktop): XShells -> root access

Posted by JackHowell on Nov. 09 2006,15:22

k thx ima try

Posted by JackHowell on Nov. 10 2006,20:11

ok heres wat happnd: i typed it in like u guys said, i get an error message stating that the disk cannot b read...

Posted by JackHowell on Nov. 13 2006,00:08

is it my disk that is probably dead?

Posted by skaos on Nov. 13 2006,12:32

Probably, you could try the cable trick I mentioned earlier.

Posted by Someone on Nov. 13 2006,13:43

Does your motherboard have a SIS Hd Controller?
Sis for some reason doesnt work with dsl/Knoppix, dunno about the newest versions...

And check if you even have a hard drive plugged...