Can a hard drive with only 428KB of cache cause problems with linux install?

[bdb4269]

Short version --

random errors during install of Fedora Core 5, that would seem to indicate, bad media, CD drive, or HD

Have tested media twice on two separate CD drives.

Tried at least 6 CD drives, for install.

Tested HD with utility on EBCD (emergency boot cd) - and quick and advanced tested came back good.

The HD IS OLD though. Big enough (13.6GB), but old -- only has 428KB cache. (could this cause problem? - if not what else could?)


System info -
Trying to install Fedora Core 5
ASUS K8V-MX mobo (built on VGA and LAN)
AMD 64 Sempron 2800+
PQI PC3200 256MB (though only 192MB is registering)

Long version

I am trying to install Fedora Core 5 on a system that consists of brand new MB, CPU, and RAM. (built on video). And really old hard drive, case etc. I know once I had problems with installing fedora, because something wonky with particular CD drive. However, I have tried, like 6 different CD drives - and there is no correlation, in exactly where it freeze's and which CD drive is in there. Mostly it freezes - just after it tells me where the log, and kickstart file will be. Then I click next – it goes to screen where files normally start copying and nothing at all happens. I’ve tried text and gui mode. Sometimes it doesn’t freeze there, sometimes it will format, etc. then freeze when trying to copy install image (says: Probably not enough space on hard drive (plenty space on HD for this)) -- or sometimes get past that start installing packages etc. -- and then all of a sudden say it cant read/copy file -- I select retry and it gives error about not being able to unmount CD drive. I have checked the media twice with 2 separate CD drives just to make sure. I have tested HD, and it is fine, albeit old. (13.6GB 428KB cache) (The only thing I see for HD requirements in fedora documentation is harddrive space available requirements. Never anything about cache. Could the small cache size be causing my problems? If not – any other ideas what might be causing my problem?

[Skiboy]

Do you know if there are any BIOS updates? Sometimes old BIOS versions can cause issues, don't know if this is one but it is an idea.

[gold3n]

I don't think that the hard drive is that old (to cause problems like these that is) , you should check the RAM...I don't like that "though only 192MB is registering" situation....

[bdb4269]

Ran memtest86+ on the ram, I actually left it running all night -- and though only 192MB is registering, it says it passed 154 tests, failed 0.

As far as the bios - Bios says version is v02.54

On webpage for mobo
http://support.asus.com/download/dow...s&model=K8V-MX
it has version in the format 0203 or 0211. 0211 being the highest version number i can find on the site for the bios. So I think the bios is updated.

[bdb4269]

FYI - I have two of these new sticks of RAM.

When I put both sticks of RAM in -- 493MB of total RAM registers!!!

When put in alone they each only register 192MB. And with both stick's -- I made sure it was seated well, tried both dimm slots, etc.

I tried installing fedora with both sticks of RAM in, incase it was running out of RAM during install, and it did get farther then ever (asked for disc 2), but still said an "unhandled exception occured".

I am now running memtest, while both sticks of ram are in there.

[bdb4269]

OK - never mind about the RAM only registering 192MB. That is what the motherboard was saying, but apparently the motherboard, does not display the part of RAM that it uses for the built of VGA. I realized after taiking the second stick out that a single stick was registering at 240MB. I realized, that the ammount missing, is the same as the ammount allowed for the mobo to use for VGA.

So that RAM all appears to be OK. But still having problems with this install. Any Idea's?

[bdb4269]

Just tried installing Fedora Core 4, and had no problems! So I guess I'll just use that.

Thanks for all the replies though!!