[hard drive] Hard drive won't install OS

[hard drive] Hard drive won't install OS
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rflack50 @ 25th Oct 11:34AM:
[hard drive] Hard drive won't install OS

I have an old AMD XP 3200 system that I have been running Ubuntu Linux on. I updated version 9.04 to 9.10 of Ubuntu and during the install process it froze. I tried restarting and it froze again. I then downloaded a copy of Ubuntu 9.10 and burned the ISO to a disc and tried that, but it froze again. I tried WinXP, and it froze during that process as well. I decided to give it one more try with a different OS, so I used Vector Linux, but unfortunately it froze again. It freezes during the install process. What I mean by the screen froze is it just stops during the install with no error codes. I have reformatted it several times, but no go.

So, I'm wondering if anyone can give me an idea of what too do next.

Thanks
--
When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.
Helen Keller
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tahoejeff @ 25th Oct 11:46AM:
Re: [hard drive] Hard drive won't install OS

How about running a live version from the cd instead of installing. Will it run fine from the cd?
If it does, I'd start by running some diags on the hard drive. They are usually free from the manufacturer's site.
Maybe try a new data cable to the drive. Maybe just try re-seating the data cable.
--
The Geek Shall Inherit the Earth
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rflack50 @ 25th Oct 11:57AM:
Re: [hard drive] Hard drive won't install OS

The live CD works. I tried a program to test the drive, but it didn't come back with errors. I will go to WD and try their diag software. Oh, and I already tried the cable, etc, sorry forgot to put that.
--
When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.
Helen Keller
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heels_fan @ 25th Oct 12:08PM:
Re: [hard drive] Hard drive won't install OS

Installing an OS is really memory intensive. I would check your memory with some of the memory diags that are out there.
--
everyone is born ignorant. some are born stupid, others achieve stupidity and the rest have stupidity thrust upon them.
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rflack50 @ 25th Oct 03:55PM:
Re: [hard drive] Hard drive won't install OS

never heard that before, but will do once I'm home. thanks
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Tursiops_G @ 25th Oct 04:00PM:
Re: [hard drive] Hard drive won't install OS

Also, Take a close look on the Motherboard for any Bulging or Leaking Electrolytic Caps... Failing Caps can cause all kinds of grief... :huh:
See Here: »www.badcaps.net/pages.php?vid=5 for more info.

As for testing the RAM, Memtest86+ is one of the best freeware memory diagnostic utilities out there, IMHO... :)

»www.memtest.org

-Tursiops_G.
--
If You're Unsure, "RTFM"... If You're SURE, "RTFM" Anyway. ;)
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AMF @ 25th Oct 04:22PM:
Re: [hard drive] Hard drive won't install OS

I had a similar problem when I was trying to install XP on an old Dell machine. Surprisingly Windows 7 RC work just fine and I been sticking with it since.
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psafux @ 25th Oct 04:36PM:
Re: [hard drive] Hard drive won't install OS

likely one of the following:
bad disk (cd / dvd)
bad optical drive
bad hard drive
bad hard drive controller
bad memory
bad motherboard (check for blown & bulging caps as mentioned by someone else)
--
Yes. the cat in my avatar is indeed mine.
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rflack50 @ 28th Oct 04:16AM:
Re: [hard drive] Hard drive won't install OS

Sorry it took me so long to get back. It turned out to be a bad DVD Rom, so am using an older cdrw rom. Install went great, and Ubuntu is now running again.

Thank you for all the info, and help.
--
When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.
Helen Keller
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