Linux Mandrake 7.1 Wont install!

[wardemon]

Ok here's What i did. Ive got a 6 gig hd and i wanted to install Linux and windows 98. I partitioned the hd 2 times, (2 gigs each). The rest would of been used for linux. But while it was doing the partitioning it did this error "I cant read your partition table its too corrupted for me" So i went ok then i tried to do anything and it always said this after it tried to do the partitioning "Writing of partition failed at /usr/bin/perl-install/partition_table.pm Line 442" I have a copy of my friends. It works perfectly on his computer. What could the problem be?
Thanks,
Wardemon666 :confused:

[theflash]

It's a bad partition job. Happens from time to time. Usually, when you're partitioning drives, I think it's easiest just to back up all your critical data, then format the drive and partition it while it's got nothing on it.

That's happened to me before though and the simplest solution for me was to attempt the install and repartition again. If that doesn't work, just wipe the drive and start from scratch.

[wardemon]

I really dont think it is that because ive tried many times. Ive tried doing it after i just formatted and re partitioned everything! :eek:

[wardemon]

Can someone tell me if i partitioned my harddrive for linux?My Partiions (http://24.226.196.100/carl/partition.jpg)

Please tell me if i did anything wrong what i need to install linux.
Thanks,
Wardemon :D

[navy-linux]

Who made the hard drive? Most hard drive makers have a utility to help you partition and format a drive. I have a couple of western digital drives and have used their WD diag program with good results.
As far as your problem, I would remove the partitions, and install win 98, and then install Linux. Mandrake will give the option to partition your drive during the install. Make sure that you leave enough room on the win98 partition to grow. So do not let mandrake take up all the free space during the install.
Hope this helps!
:eek:

[wardemon]

Yeah thanks! But it just wont install! When it gets to the partitioning part it says writing to table usr/bin/....... Failed! I dont know why!

[jsbush]

bump for ya

[wardemon]

Can anyone take a look at my screenshot and tell me if linux SHOULD install?

Thanks,
wardemon
:( Screen Shot (http://24.226.196.100/carl/partition.jpg)

[pin]

I think the biggest your swap partition can be is 128 MB. Delete the Linux ext2 and swap partitions and remake them so the swap is 128 MB and ext2 is the rest.

[BobC2]

If it were me, I'd try removing the 2 Linux partitions and let the install program do the partitioning. I have 7.1 and 7.2 and 8.0 Cooker. My thought is that the Partition Magic could be part of the problem. If I had the choice, I'd be trying with 7.2, BTW, as the install with it went smoother for me than the 7.1. 8.0 Cooker, isn't ready for prime time, yet, IMHO. Thats probably why its "Cooker".

BobC

[SubPar]

Departition the space you want to install Mandrake onto. Use PartitionMagic to delete the Ext2 and swap partitions, then also delete the Extended partition they were in. Then run Mandrake install. For me, Mandrake 7.0 would not install right unless the space was not partitioned at all.

[wardemon]

Thanks!

Ill try it and see if it works :)

[wardemon]

I tried removing all the partitions leaving the extra 2 gigs unallocated, But it still wont install!

Can some please help!
:( :( :(

[ClearNinja]

Can you reinstall windows and have it write over the master boot record? You might be able to boot up a rescue disk and fdisk /mbr

[digital_spawn]

:D :D mandrake ? diskdrake might have goofed up.

- make some cleaner partition tables like for you 6 gig hd.
3 gb - win fat32 [that will be /dev/hda1]
2.8 gb - ext2 linux [ linux '/']
.2 gb - swap [ linux swap ]

:cool: diskdrake by mandrake is the best disk manager program i ever came accross.

[ 12 February 2001: Message edited by: digital_spawn ]

[wardemon]

Theres something wrong with my hard drive or something. I went in expert mode and tried to make th epartitions exactly like you told me, It didn't work. I then tried formatting a linux partition. Still said the same error as before.
Does anyone know what i could do to fix this?

Thanks,
Wardemon :(

[ColdPack]

Is there ANYTHING critical on that drive, yet?
I mean, will it hurt you to start from scratch?
If I could start over completely, I would make a windoze rescue disk, start up using that, delete all the partitions using fdisk, then create a new FAT partition with fdisk, then then install winduhs then try the mandrake install again. It couldn't hurt to run a thorough scan of your hard drive -- have it check for bad blocks and such.
After that, I have no idea because even on an old, crappy no-name 850M harddrive, I got Mandrake 7.2 installed. (Note: I blew it off there because it was icky. Testing Progeny Debian on it. Crammed it in there, all right!)