Ubuntu

Can't install on a Dell Vostro 200

Asked by BaileyIT

After Installing Unbuntu 8.04 server, I could not get the computer to restart in Linux. I recieved the following error:
Revalidation Failed (errno=-5)
 - and then repeated over and over this error:
ata.00:exception Emask 0x0 SAct 0x0 SErr 0x0 action 0x2 Frozen
cmd a0/00:00:00:2400/00:00:00:00:00/a tag 0 pio 36 in
Status: {DRDY}

HOWEVER . . . after looking at some other posts, I figured there was some incompatibility with the SATA hard drive configuration. I went into the BIOS and changed the SATA setting from [IDE] to [RAID] and viola! it now works.

 I am posting this just to let people know how to fix this problem, if they run into it.

(this also applies to the Desktop version, as I tried installing that with similar errors, and switching to RAID mode fixed it also)

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BaileyIT (rbeckmann) said : 		#1

Problem is solved

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Bob Sutton (low-mistyblue) said : 		#2

Sorry to be a pain, tried this - didn't work. Although I have a Vostro 410 I don't think that will make any difference. I have Vista on the primary drive and have installed a second hard drive. If I set the SATA to RAID in the BIOS then Windows will not boot.........

Be gentle, I can just about spell Ubuntu - so that's my technical limit. But I got the same error mesages as you did above. I've tried the 8.04 release, freshly downloaded today.

Cheers.

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BaileyIT (rbeckmann) said : 		#3

Hey Bob,
My installation was on a linux-only machine.

However, I have more years of windows installations and troubleshooting then I have days of linux experience. Windows is particular about it's hard drive controller drivers. If you got the BLUE SCREEN of DEATH on startup, you may be able fix it by first going into the window's device manager and changing the IDE controller types to "standard" and then reboot and switch to RAID. Once windows reboots, it should detect the new RAID controller.

Otherwise, the only other thing I could recommend would be to switch to RIAD and reinstall windows.

/) /) smooth sailing

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Bob Sutton (low-mistyblue) said : 		#4

Thanks for the reply.

No I didn't get the blue screen of death. Windows did not even get started.

Can't even consider reinstalling windows. I must have a working machine otherwise I don't earn a living. So I can't do anything that could put me out of action for a day or more.

I notice that others are getting the same errors and Ubuntu is simply not installing. I've tried over the years to get a successful install running on Linux - never managed it...... guess I'll have to put this on the back burner yet again and wait and see... Pity really, never have liked Windows - but it works (most of the time).

Thanks again.

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JohnBokma (contact-johnbokma) said : 		#5

The issue is caused by a USB-SATA race condition. A better explanation and work around (IMO) is given at: http://johnbokma.com/mexit/2008/08/05/fixing-the-vostro-hang-issue.html

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Bob Sutton (low-mistyblue) said : 		#6

That looks great................. anybody care to translate? I've looked at the link - total gibberish to me..... So, just in case anyone is unsure - I do not understand what it all means.

I wouldn't know where to start typing all that stuff or when. If it doesn't boot how the hell can I change anything??????

I'm not being negative, but why does nobody ever use plain simple English with simple instructions???