SRST failed (errno=-16) on installation attempt.

[bj8623]

I was trying to install 8.10 but kept getting a "SRST failed (errno=-16)" message. Also says something about BusyBox. I can't even log into WinXP anymore.

I tried switching the the IDE settings to RAID, but it didn't help.

Here are my system specs:

Pentium 4
2.80 GHz
1 GB of RAM
300 GB HDD
NVIDIA 6600 series

I also posted this on the Ubuntu help forums but got no response. This is really upsetting because I've been extremely interested in trying out Ubuntu, but now it seems I've lost both my HDD as well as my WinXP OS!. Someone please help a noob out!

[D-cat]

First, bring your raid settings back to what they were before if you want a chance to get WinXP back.

Your install seems to be botched, other forums suggest its a bad install disk or maybe the kernel doesn't like your SATA controller.

If XP doesn't come back on reboot, I'd find your WinXP install disk and boot into the recovery console, then assuming you get your C:\> prompt, type fixmbr

As far as the 2nd go at Ubuntu, were you able to boot the live CD? To reduce further questions, run a pass of the memtest and do a media check. If both pass, you can try again. If the 2nd attempt yeilds the same results, I'd consider trying a different distro like OpenSuSE.

[bj8623]

I'm sorry man, but most of what you said in your last paragraph is Greek to me, lol. I am pretty much a noob when it comes to installing Ubuntu, or any other OS for that matter, but will try my best to understand and try not to be too annoying.

As far as XP, I can live without it if there's a chance I can get Ubuntu installed instead. I backed up my important files. I guess it could be the CD, but I downloaded it straight from the Ubuntu Website. Do you suggest a better site to get it from?

Thanks a lot for replying.

[D-cat]

When you frst boot up the CD, it asks you your language, then presents you with a menu of options. It kind of candy coats the functions a little, what I suggested would be the selections "Test Memory" and "Check CD for Errors."

The problem if the CD is bad would not likely be so much a bad download but rather a bad burn. Even if a CD is burned "sucessfully," burns made too quickly can still be prone to errors (especially if there was a beffer underrun). It's usually advised when burning bootable CD's that you do so the slowest that your burner and media will allow as to avoid the otherwise unforseen errors.

[bj8623]

OK, I got all the settings back to where they were originally, downloaded the ISO again from their official website and burned it at only 6x speed (one lower than the recommended speed according to their website). This time it worked after testing the memory and checking for errors on the CD. I finally got the first step over and done with.

Thanks a lot D-cat.