Partitioner hangs

[vivin_west]

I have been using Ubuntu for a while,so I want to remove windows completely in my new system.The problem is whenever I run the installation procedure it runs the disk partioner.Here the system hangs. Iswthere anyway to install Ubuntu via terminal window without running the partitioner.

[housam]

Did you already removed windows from your machine ? did you reformated the partition ?
If not use the Gparted to do the job and to prepare your partitions before installing.

[vivin_west]

whenver I run Gparted the system hangs. I dont want to use windows.I dont mind if it is removed completely.Is there a way to install Ubuntu without running the Gnome partitioner?

[housam]

I would like to ask you about your pc specs. as maybe your RAM is below the required. If it is more than 256 Mb , then should be ok for the installation and during the installation try to use the 1st or 2nd options for partitioning.

[vivin_west]

My system has 256MB RAM. But what I am trying to tell is that I dont get the 1 or 2 options for partitioning.As soon as I click the forward button on step 4 while installation the Gnome partitioner program runs and then the system hangs.I hope I have made it clear. The partitioner program doesnt show me the options in the first place. So is there a command in terminal window where I can just proceed with installation.

[housam]

Ok, may I ask what version of ubuntu you trying to install ? is it a live CD or an Alternate CD ? Did you check the cd for any errors ? Did you burn it or get it from shipit ? and if you burn it , reburn it at the slowest speed available i.e. 4x or 2x using the default burning program as described in How to burn a CD (https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BurningIsoHowto).

[anubhavrocks]

Please try using the Alternate install CD
http://ftp.gui.uva.es/sites/ubuntu.com/releases/edgy/

[vivin_west]

It is Dapper
Live CD
from Shipit
I want to use only Dapper.I dont want to risk trying Edgy.I have not used it before.

[vivin_west]

I have checked CD for defects,there are none.I dont know if there is a problem in my system.My windows disk partitioner works fine.

[devils_casper]

hi vivin_west !

boot up from Ubuntu LiveCD and open terminal.
execute this

dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/hda bs=521 count=1

if your harddisk is SATA, replace hda with sda.
this code will *wipe* your harddisk. no data, no partitions. installer will think that your harddisk is blank and brand new. try to install again.




Casper

[vivin_west]

I got this reply
dd: opening '/dev/hda'=read only file system

[vivin_west]

It is not possible to wipe out the hard disk through live cd.

[devils_casper]

Sorry ! my mistake. prefix 'sudo' before 'dd' command.





Casper

[housam]

It is not possible to wipe out the hard disk through live cd.

boot the live cd then sys. >> admin. >> Gnome partition editor and try to delete the entire HDD.

[housam]

I have checked CD for defects,there are none.I dont know if there is a problem in my system.My windows disk partitioner works fine.

If windows disk partitioner works fine ( I assume it is the partition magic ), you can resize your partition to the minimum and create an unallocated space that the installer can detect and repartition it.

[anubhavrocks]

>>It is not possible to wipe out the hard disk through live cd.

sudo fdisk /dev/hda

Be WARNED that you risk loosing all your data!!

[devils_casper]

If windows disk partitioner works fine ( I assume it is the partition magic ), you can resize your partition to the minimum and create an unallocated space that the installer can detect and repartition it.
i agree. but this will not clear MBR.





Casper

[housam]

i agree. but this will not clear MBR.





Casper

It is just to create a clean partition for installing ubuntu, then the other partitions can be dealt with through ubuntu.

[vivin_west]

sudo fdisk /dev/hda. can you tell me what to do next?

[anubhavrocks]

I suggest that you first run

sudo parted

Make your changes and then try running gparted.

If nothing works try using

dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/hda bs=512 count=1

[vivin_west]

I have done this
dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/hda bs=512 count=1,but I get
hda is a read only file as messg. I cant load gnome editor.It gets stuck

[anubhavrocks]

the command should be

sudo dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/hda bs=512 count=1

You need superuser privilege to run it