hard drive problems...I think. Help please!

Geminiwave · Mar 26, 2005, 05:32 AM

okay so I pop in the newest Fedora CD...get ready to install onto a computer that I hacked togeather out of crud from the garage....aaaaaaaaaaaaaand I ran a couple of distros of live CDs to test things out. Everything is great.

anyway I put in Fedora and try to install it...things go well and i start getting things set up. In the middle of installing the mail server, it dies.

I restart the computer and now when it tries to boot the installer, the computer just restarts! I dont get it.

Anyway I'm guessing the hard drive needs a reformat but I cant figure out how to do it. Anyone know how to do a format? I can get knoppix LIVE CD on and Ubuntu Live CD.

UberLord · Mar 26, 2005, 07:03 PM

Depends what format you want to use

I prefer reiserfs myself - Fedora defaults to ext3 afaik.
XFS is a good choice for servers, but I'd steer clear of JFS and reiser4 is way too new (+ I have a few issues with it)

Code:

mkfs -t reiserfs /dev/hda1

Ensure that /dev/hda1 points to the correct partition

/dev/hda1 is C in the windows world

Geminiwave · Mar 26, 2005, 08:44 PM

no see the problem is that I cant get into fedora. it wont boot.

None of the installers will boot anymore. Just live CDs.

DarkFoss · Mar 28, 2005, 01:34 AM

Is the harddrive a Maxtor? If so you can use Maxblast 3 from either a cd or floppy to recondition the hd to factory condition, it will obliterate even linux partitions. If it's not you can still use it if you hook up a maxtor to the secondary. Maxblast will not run without a maxtor present.

RIV@NVX · Mar 28, 2005, 02:38 PM

I suggest Ubuntu install CD. It formats the hard drive in the middle of installation, and you can exit the install after that. I think that would work for you if HDD isn't damaged.

Mar 26, 2005, 05:32 AM	#1
Geminiwave I Have lovely Breasts Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: In the closet... Posts: 5,395 Rep Power: 62	hard drive problems...I think. Help please! okay so I pop in the newest Fedora CD...get ready to install onto a computer that I hacked togeather out of crud from the garage....aaaaaaaaaaaaaand I ran a couple of distros of live CDs to test things out. Everything is great. anyway I put in Fedora and try to install it...things go well and i start getting things set up. In the middle of installing the mail server, it dies. I restart the computer and now when it tries to boot the installer, the computer just restarts! I dont get it. Anyway I'm guessing the hard drive needs a reformat but I cant figure out how to do it. Anyone know how to do a format? I can get knoppix LIVE CD on and Ubuntu Live CD. __________________

Mar 26, 2005, 07:03 PM	#2
UberLord A Legend in Underwear Join Date: May 2002 Location: Unknown Posts: 5,255 Rep Power: 70	Depends what format you want to use I prefer reiserfs myself - Fedora defaults to ext3 afaik. XFS is a good choice for servers, but I'd steer clear of JFS and reiser4 is way too new (+ I have a few issues with it) Code: mkfs -t reiserfs /dev/hda1 Ensure that /dev/hda1 points to the correct partition /dev/hda1 is C in the windows world __________________ Gentoo Linux - Developer (baselayout) Read my blog "I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours." Stephen Roberts

Mar 26, 2005, 08:44 PM	Thread Starter #3
Geminiwave I Have lovely Breasts Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: In the closet... Posts: 5,395 Rep Power: 62	no see the problem is that I cant get into fedora. it wont boot. None of the installers will boot anymore. Just live CDs. __________________

Mar 28, 2005, 01:34 AM	#4
DarkFoss HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Downers Grove IL Posts: 688 Rep Power: 0	Is the harddrive a Maxtor? If so you can use Maxblast 3 from either a cd or floppy to recondition the hd to factory condition, it will obliterate even linux partitions. If it's not you can still use it if you hook up a maxtor to the secondary. Maxblast will not run without a maxtor present. __________________ Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety,deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. Ben Franklin, 1755

Mar 28, 2005, 02:38 PM	#5
RIV@NVX Freedom is a feature. Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Croatia, Rijeka Posts: 4,476 Rep Power: 67 System Specs	I suggest Ubuntu install CD. It formats the hard drive in the middle of installation, and you can exit the install after that. I think that would work for you if HDD isn't damaged. __________________ -- Vedran