[AbvAvgUser]

I have installation CDs of a Linux called PCQ Linux 8.0 which is based on Red Hat Linux 8.0. The distribution is by a reputed indian IT Magazine called PCQuest

Following is the configuration of my PC.
Mother Board - Intel 845 based
Processor - Pentium IV 1.5 GHz
Display Card - S3 Savage 4 32MB
Monitor - Samsung 15" 4BNi
RAM - 128 MB
Mouse - Logitech 3 button mouse (no scroll)
Hard Disk- Samsung 40GB (Primary Master)
CD-ROM - Asus 50x CD-ROM (Primary Slave)
CD-RW - Plextor 16x10x40 CD-RW (Secondary Master)
Modem - Motorola SM56 56 KBPS (Internal), DLink DMF-336/E 33.6 KBPS (External)

• Before I started PCQ Linux 8.0 installation, I removed all the partitions using FDisk under DOS/Windows.
• I start installation using PCQLinux 8.0 CD 1 and it starts off well. Both the CDs pass media test. Installation recognises my hard disk, CD-ROM, CD-RW, display card, my mouse (with some discrepancy), monitor, etc.
• I choose Automatic Partitioning and choose to Remove all partitions (and data). So that Linux will be the only OS on my system with entire HD dedicated to it .
• Installation starts off well. It formats "/" and "/boot" (although it takes a very long time to do it and it seems as if the system has hung ). A few packages also get installed.

However, my installation terminates abnormally with the following error message. The screen is filled up with the same error message.

(anaconda:74): GnomeCanvas-CRITICAL **: file gnome-canvas-path-def .C: line 1142
(gnome_canvas_path_def_any_closed): assertion 'path != NULL' failed

iutil waitpid: No child processes
install exited abnormally

I re-started installation a few times, but to no avail. It keeps giving me this error message again and again. On couple pf occasion, instead of anaconda:74, it read anaconda:70.

On another occasion, I also got the following error :

(anaconda:74): Gtk-WARNING **: Unknown tag 'u'
install exited abnormally

and also the following error on one occasion :

Error Installing Package
There was an error installing filesystem-2.1.6-5. This can indicate media failure, lack of disk space, and/or hardware problems. This is a fatal error and your install will be aborted. Please verify your media and try install again.

Press the OK button to reboot your system.

My Hard Disk is just about 18 months old and was working perfectly well during my earlier Windows installation.

What is the problem here? I am totally stumped. Everytime I re-start, I get a new error message that makes no sense to me. I have already formatted (low-level) my hard disk using ZTest and deleted all the partitions.

Please don't assume any extra-ordinary knowledge about Linux or computers in general. I am just somewhat of an above average user.

Thanks & Regards.

[lynch]

Are you doing the Recommended install or Expert install?
These sound like media errors.I remember your earlier thread about installing PCQuest linux.Are these the same disks?
You could try an expert install and choose the filesystem to format the disk and select your own packages(read= dont install Gnome ).If it's formatting as ext3(most likely) try formatting as ext2.Leave the partition scheme as it is.Then just accept the defaults for everything else.
If that doesnt work,ie. you keep getting errors,it probably is the CDs.If you know someone near you who has a running linux system,perhaps they could lend you thier disks to make copies or they could make copies.
HTH
lynch

[AbvAvgUser]

I really don't know whether the earlier post about PCQ Linux was from me or not b'coz its a magazine and there may be other subscribers as well.

Anyway, I am doing the custom install, but have not disabled Gnome earlier. I have enough space, so I was installing Gnome as well as KDE. I will try only KDE now.

It surely is formatting the HD as ext3, I will change it to ext2 as you said. Also, I will hand it over to the anaconda installer and Disk Druid to partition automatically. But now I will be able to handover only the free space b'coz the part already has other OS installed.

The installation CDs are okay. I performed the media test on them and both the CDs passed the test.

I am getting errors also during installation of PCQLinux 7.1 (based on Red Hat 7.1), Red Hat 8.0 and Mandrake (don't remember the version). So I guess the problem is with the HD and partitioning, but then the same HD works fine with Win98SE

That is what stupms me the most. Anyway, I will try what you have said and come back. Thanks again.

[lynch]

The installation CDs are okay. I performed the media test on them and both the CDs passed the test.

I am getting errors also during installation of PCQLinux 7.1 (based on Red Hat 7.1), Red Hat 8.0 and Mandrake (don't remember the version). So I guess the problem is with the HD and partitioning, but then the same HD works fine with Win98SE

Okay.If the other suggestions dont help,go to the hard drive manufacteror's web site and download thier drive utilities.
Samsung
They include drive integrity checking,partitioning and formatting,and old-to-new-hard drive copying utilities.I have had to use the disk utilities from time to time to get a drive to behave.
HTH
lynch

[AbvAvgUser]

Lynch:

Lo and behold!! It has started working. Thanks to your tips. I should have realised that since gnome is generating errors, I should disable it. But as they say, common sense is the most uncommon thing

By the way, I guess formatting drives as ext2 seems to have solved the media failure thing.

Thanks to you. Now I will partition the HD and install both Windows and Linux. Lets see how that works.

I wonder how can people have more than 2 operating systems on the same hard drive. Partitioning is somewhat confusing. If thats possible, I want to have Mandrake 8.2, PCQLinux 8.0 and Win98SE at the same time on the same HD.

I am being too greedy. Isn't it?

[lynch]

That's great! Always glad to help
Greedy?
No;I'd say curious .You can put as many OSs on a single drive as will fit.Just be sure to plan it out beforehand:

• Remember to let the Linux OSs share a single swap partition to save space.
• Have the least-used Linux OS be accessed by the other Linux OS's bootloader-no point in having 2 of them.Though that probably wont be a problem as the current bootloader will be detected.
• If you have enough room,consider making a fat32 storage partition for all 3 OSs.You'll be able to read/write to it from anywhere.

There may be somthing I left out(I just woke up here in the states )but the main thing is plan it out.
If there is somthing you want to install later that may require GTK(Gnome)stuff,like a game or app,it will let you know.You can give it a try.
lynch

[AbvAvgUser]

I got too excited too soon!!

This Linux is giving me a lot of errors. This installation is known for its stability here. But in my case its exactly the opposite!! To-nite, I will have to once again format my HD and start all over again with the installation. This is the fourth time that I will be doing it!!

Linux is supposed to work continuously. But in my machine, it hangs so many times!! At times, it doesn't even start properly. It doesn't even recognise my Umax Astra 2500 USB scanner. If I do a reset, it gives me plethora of errors and refuses to start. I am stumped. I wonder whether my hardware is faulty or my software!!

I think I will now have to get a good book on Red Hat 8.0. This installation of Linux is based on it.

If its DOS or Windows, I know my way around even with text based interface. But Linux is altogether a different cup of tea for me.