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Hard disk partitions not detected while installing Ubuntu

(20 posts)
  • Started 4 years ago by Santo
  • Latest reply from raphoenix
  • Topic Viewed 18538 times

Santo
Santo
Posts: 1288

I am trying to install Ubuntu in a new Windows XP computer, booted the computer with Ubuntu live CD and tried to install it, but it fails to detect the hard disk partitions. Hard disk is SATA with 5 partitions each been around 30 GB.

Previously I had installed Ubuntu with out any issue in my notebook which has Vista as dual boot. But this time it is not working with this desktop.

I even tried to install Vista in the Desktop and then tried Ubuntu, it is not detecting the hard disk partitions. Should I install any drivers for Ubuntu to work?
Tried to download Testdisk but it is not available any more.

Please help me.

Posted 4 years ago #
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thegeek
The Geek
Posts: 2059

Typically you need free space to install Ubuntu... I think your problem is that you can only have 4 primary partitions on a disk, although I could be wrong cause I just woke up =)

Posted 4 years ago #
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Santo
Santo
Posts: 1288

@geek

Good morning. I deleted one partition using the XP CD and then tried to install Ubuntu and no go :(

After selecting the region and time it does not list any partitions.

Posted 4 years ago #
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Santo
Santo
Posts: 1288

If I install Vista instead of XP will it make any difference in installing Ubuntu as a dual boot? Does Ubuntu require any driver for it to recognize the installed hard disk??

Does any one have an idea about this? For past 2 days I am trying to get Ubuntu installed in the desktop as dual boot and no success. :(

Posted 4 years ago #
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Santo
Santo
Posts: 1288

Any ideas??? At least a suggestion on how to get Ubuntu installed in the new desktop computer? I am even ready to remove Windows xp.

Guys, I searched all the places and I am not able to pin point what is stopping Ubuntu from recognizing the SATA Hard disk partitions.

Note: Initial I had 5 partitions. Now Deleted 2 of those partitions.

Posted 4 years ago #
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raphoenix
raphoenix
Posts: 14920

Santo,

Please post a picture of the Disk Management screen.
What utility was used to make the (5) original partitions ??

Kindest Regards,
Rick P.♦ :)

Posted 4 years ago #
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Santo
Santo
Posts: 1288

Raphoenix,

Thanks for your reply. I will post it once I get to the desktop, right now I am on my notebook at a different location. Those partitions were created while installing Windows XP for the first time.

Posted 4 years ago #
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Santo
Santo
Posts: 1288

Posted 4 years ago #
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Santo
Santo
Posts: 1288

Windows XP disk management screen

Windows XP disk management

Posted 4 years ago #
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raphoenix
raphoenix
Posts: 14920

Santo,
Did you originally create the partitions as per this example ??
http://www.theeldergeek.com/pa.....nstall.htm
Kindest Regards,
Rick P.♦ :)

Posted 4 years ago #
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Santo
Santo
Posts: 1288

Hi Raphoenix,

I followed the steps as given in that site.

Posted 4 years ago #
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raphoenix
raphoenix
Posts: 14920

Santo,
I read minds. (lol) (lol)
All those drive letters after C: are in an Extended Partition.
Am thinking to get rid of everything but C: which is Primary Active Partition.
That should leave room for Ubuntu to do its thing.
Kindest Regards,
Rick P.♦ :)

Posted 4 years ago #
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Santo
Santo
Posts: 1288

Raphoenix,

Thank you for helping me. Please do tell me should I get rid of all the partitions except C:\ and then partition it as 4 primary partitions? I will proceed only after your instructions.

Posted 4 years ago #
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raphoenix
raphoenix
Posts: 14920

Santo,
Appears drive has a Primary Partition and an Extended Partition.
Read links.
Do away with Extended Partition.
Option 4 Manual.
http://www.psychocats.net/ubun.....rtitioning
http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/partitioning
Kindest Regards,
Rick P.♦ :)

Posted 4 years ago #
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Santo
Santo
Posts: 1288

Hi Raphoenix,

I tried all that could be tried, including deleting all partitions, formatting the entire hard disk and still no luck :(
What surprises me is installing Windows XP and Vista has no issue. I even tried to install Ubuntu in the Primary partition after removing Windows XP, but it too failed. From a different tech forum I found that there is hard disk utility that enables to install Ubuntu on to the SATA drive which was similar issue with him and it was successful unfortunately that user did not give name of that utility(from manufacturer website). I too checked in WD website but there was no utility.
Any way thank you for helping me.
Gave up of installing Ubuntu in the new the new desktop :(

NOTE: Should I try to change the hard disk jumper settings???

Posted 4 years ago #
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raphoenix
raphoenix
Posts: 14920

Santo,
Whoa; Don't give up so easily.
If you tried all of the above, something is wrong.
Check Bios and insure your Bios settings for HDs is set to NO RAID configuration.

Also it is best if Bios has a Legacy Setting of some kind.
Please post Make and EXACT Model Number of your machine.
Kindest Regards,
Rick P.♦ :)

Posted 4 years ago #
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Santo
Santo
Posts: 1288

Raphoenix,

Thanks for your reply. This computer is built by myself. There is no setting in BIOS for RAID.

Hard disk model : wdcwd1600
Bios Version:GLG3110H.86A.004.2008.0318.2223
MB: Intel DG31GL http://www.intel.com/Products/.....uments.htm

If you please look at the MB specification and the BIOS page you should be able to find which one to enable or disable.

BIOS settings.
Advanced > Drive Configuration > Use automatic mode > Enabled
ATA/IDE Mode > Native and Legacy (Native is enabled)
S.M.A.R.T > Enabled
SATA Port 0
Primary Master > Not installed

Posted 4 years ago #
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raphoenix
raphoenix
Posts: 14920

Santo,
Think the (5) Partition problem distracted everyone, including me, from your (real) issue. :( :(
Had to dig deeper by mind reading. (lol) (lol)
Read your Bios manual quickly.

I Remember when I experimented with Ubuntu, I had to set-up this Asus Board Bios settings differently.
You are going to have to play with your Bios Settings abit.
Try setting the Bios to Legacy Enabled.
Configure SATA as Standard IDE.
What you may see when menu is changed is something kinda like P-ATA + S-ATA OR some variation.
Read Both manuals completely.
The object is to get the SATA HDs set-up to act as IDE (ATA) HDs with NO Raid.
Sorry I can't help more as I can't put my hands on your keyboard and try settings.
It (CAN) be done as my old Asus Boards have similar Bios settings (maybe more) and I ran Ubuntu. :) :)
EDIT: Your HDs are SATA, the Jumper Settings are for Generation I and Generation II.
Set the jumpers for Generation II - (300) per HD manual and mother board specs.
Also ensure the cables are connected to Primary SATA Connectors.

Kindest Regards,
Rick P.♦ :)

Posted 4 years ago #
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Santo
Santo
Posts: 1288

Thank you very much for your reply. I will check the jumper settings this week end and then wait for few more days to install the new Ubuntu 8.10.

Posted 4 years ago #
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raphoenix
raphoenix
Posts: 14920

Santo,

Thanks for your understanding.

I can change the configuration of this machine to simulate most any situation but if I did, I would get nothing done.
Most of the time have to rely on memory, which fades in exact details over time.
May try to build one more machine when X58 chipset is released.
Kindest Regards,
Rick P.♦ :)

Posted 4 years ago #
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