9.10 partitioning failure, ext4, ext3, ext2 file systems can't be created.

[hexavi42]

I'm trying to install ubuntu 9.10 on a formerly windows 98 machine, but whatever I do, the partitioning will finish. A "failed to create ext4 in hda, would you like to continue?" message pops up, and then I'm back to the beginning again. I can actually run ubuntu from the cd, it's just the installing that's the problem.

The hard drive I'm trying to install it on is a maxtor 20gb one with master configuration, attached to a 1gb seagate in slave configuration. Installing windows 98 and windows 2000 work perfectly, but for some reason, ubuntu and xubuntu will not finish installing because of that partitioning problem. I'm a complete newbie at this (only started trying to install a linux distro this time around) so if any more information is needed, just ask.

Summary:

Version: Ubuntu and Xubuntu 9.10
Hard Drive: Maxtor 20GB in master configuration
Processor: AMD K6
RAM: 512MB - 64MB (automatically deducted? taken from bios start up screen)
Problem: Will not install from cd because of filing system and partition creation errors.

[phillw]

I'm trying to install ubuntu 9.10 on a formerly windows 98 machine, but whatever I do, the partitioning will finish. A "failed to create ext4 in hda, would you like to continue?" message pops up, and then I'm back to the beginning again. I can actually run ubuntu from the cd, it's just the installing that's the problem.

The hard drive I'm trying to install it on is a maxtor 20gb one with master configuration, attached to a 1gb seagate in slave configuration. Installing windows 98 and windows 2000 work perfectly, but for some reason, ubuntu and xubuntu will not finish installing because of that partitioning problem. I'm a complete newbie at this (only started trying to install a linux distro this time around) so if any more information is needed, just ask.

Summary:

Version: Ubuntu and Xubuntu 9.10
Hard Drive: Maxtor 20GB in master configuration
Processor: AMD K6
RAM: 512MB - 64MB (automatically deducted? taken from bios start up screen)
Problem: Will not install from cd because of filing system and partition creation errors.

Hi and welcome to the forums,

are you wanting Ubuntu to be the only operating system on the 20GB hard drive ?

If so, head over to https://help.ubuntu.com/community/GraphicalInstall

I would also advise that you use the "Check CD" option when you boot with the LiveCD to make sure there are no errors on it.

Regards,

Phill.

[hexavi42]

Oh, yeah, I've read that guide already. Thing is, I've checked the cds (I used a burned xubuntu alternate install cd at first, then a mailed-to-me Ubuntu 9.10 disc, and both of them checked out fine). The drive itself is completely wiped and reformatted, but it just won't create the file system for some reason (i didn't get so far on the ubuntu install, but on the xubuntu, the other partitions were all created perfectly, but then it tried to create the root file system and completely failed). Thanks for answering anyway.

[Braineh]

Don't want to capture your thread but I got the exact same problem atm trying to install 10.04 beta1 on a raid1. just realized that one of the two hdds got a bad sector (at least that's what smart tells me). Could this break the installation?

Thanks in advance,

Tom

[phillw]

Don't want to capture your thread but I got the exact same problem atm trying to install 10.04 beta1 on a raid1. just realized that one of the two hdds got a bad sector (at least that's what smart tells me). Could this break the installation?

Thanks in advance,

Tom

installation of 10.04 is a bit different to 9.10, especially with raid. you'd be better popping over to --> http://ubuntuforums.org/forumdisplay.php?f=377 and doing a search on there for RAID

Regards,

Phill.

[Braineh]

Cheers.

[phillw]

Hi,

okies,

boot from the LiveCD and use Gparted to make the entire disk space 'free'.

If that doesn't work, you can do it from the CLI, again via the LiveCD

sudo fdisk /dev/sda

Then, reboot with the LiveCD and tell it to use the 'un-allocated' space, or simply the entire disk.

If that fails, then we can create the partitions manually.

Regards,

Phill.