Can't install Kubuntu

[photoman]

Hi gang,

Well, I got my new memory modules installed in my laptop now. The memory tests now pass. I was running Xubuntu and it was running fine. I want to run Kubuntu. So, I reinserted the CD and went to install Kubuntu and it gets to the "Ready to Install" window and then pops open the "Installing system" window. It says, "Creating ext3 file system for / in partition #1 of SCSI1 (0,0,0) (sda)..." and THEN I get another message several seconds later that says, "The ext3 file system creation in partition #1 of SCSI1 (0,0,0) (sda) failed." Kubuntu will run from the CD but won't install. It installed before and that's how I discovered my memory stick being bad. Now that they are brand new and passing the memory tests, it won't install Kubuntu.

Is there anything I can do to make this work? I don't understand why it won't work with GOOD memory but seemed to install fine with BAD memory. The computer sees all the memory of the new modules (it's a Dell Latitude laptop, by the way) and there are no booting issues or anything. I'm lost. I really liked Kubuntu when it was installed before. Your collective wisdom would be most appreciated! Thanks.

[D-cat]

It's possible the hard drive corrupted in a sad way while the RAM was bad, and now it doesn't want to fix. Also, check your BIOS settings for a virus protection setting (may or may not exist, advanced option)... this setting will prevent writes to the first sector, thus preventing a new OS install. If on, turn it off and retry the install.

Are you trying to save the data on the hard drive (like Kubuntu as an upgrade)?

If not (and the BIOS virus protect was not set or doesn't exist), I'd suggest using the live CD to zero out the hard drive (which will effectively erase all data and reset it to factory condition). You do that with:

sudo dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/sda bs=1M

After which, the install should recognize the drive as brand new and unpartitioned.

[photoman]

I've checked the BIOS and made all the necessary adjustments before trying the install and I don't have any anti-virus software (or anything really) on the hard drive. I'll try zeroing the hard drive and see what happens. I was going to attempt using fdisk and see if that would help but I think at this point I'd rather just start from scratch.

Thanks for your advice. I'll let you know how it went.

Good day!

[photoman]

Well, I zeroed out the hard drive with no problems and it did show up as basically a "new" hard drive to Ubuntu. However, Kubuntu still gave me the same message that it failed in creating the partition. I ended up trying regular Ubuntu and then I tried Xubuntu and they both install with no problems whatsoever. I'm not sure what it is about Kubuntu but I'm just going to go with Xubuntu. The zeroing did fix whatever problem Xubuntu and Ubuntu had because they no longer give me the message about failing to create the partition. Perhaps the Kubuntu portion is corrupt. In any event, the laptop is working now. Thanks for the advice.