Input/output error on/dev/sda?

under liveCD run:

sudo fdisk -l

This will list all partitions on the system. You can then run a command like the one below but you will need to use your partition names. You will need something like below:

sudo umount /dev/sda1; sudo umount /dev/sda5

This just makes sure there are no mounted partitions then run (using the above partitions as a rolling example):

sudo fsck -a /dev/sda1; sudo fsck -a /dev/sda5

This makes the system test the partitions and automatically fix the disk. It sounds like the IDE on the disk is failing and should be replaced.

On Fri, Jan 1, 2010 at 7:34 AM, Stephen
<email address hidden> wrote:
> New question #95834 on Ubuntu:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/95834
>
> Hi All, I'm a newbie and I'm having difficulty installing the karmic kola (9.10) that I got for Xmas. I have an old system P3 not that this should produce the problem but well here it is. When I start the install all goes well until the CD starts to mount the info (files) to the HD. At 15 % the program stops and displays "Input/output error on /dev/sda" with three options "retry-ignore-cancel"? Toggling "retry" immediately brings me back to the same options. Toggling "ignore" the program keeps running but does return back to the same options again (15% progress does not change). When I click on the "more info" feature this is displayed "the creation of the swap space in partition #5 of SCSI 1 (0,1,0) (sda) failed"? I did a memory error check and after about 50min the response was that there were -no errors to report! I'm not trying to create any partitions the whole 20Gb drive is to be used and I didn't try to make my own settings. And when I did the response was exactly the same? I tried changing the PIN selectors on the drive from master to maximum capacity (the cable is 80pin and HD is connected as Master) NO change-there are no other drives connected on this cable and the only other drives on the MB is the CD/ROM  & Fdisk drive (each on separate cables)? I'm assuming that I might need to format the drive (like for windows) but do not know how to?
> Initial boot:           [OK ]
> Detect network card:    [OK ]
> Configure network:      [ OK]
> Detect CD:              [ OK]
> Load installer modules: [OK ]
> Detect hard drives:     [ OK]
> Partition hard drives:  [ OK]
> Install base system:    [ OK]
> Clock/timezone setup:   [ OK]
> User/password setup:    [ OK]
> Install tasks:          [ OK]
> Install boot loader:    [ E]
> *Then from here it reverts straight back to the "load installer modules" to restart the install ??
>
>
> --
> You received this question notification because you are an answer
> contact for Ubuntu.
>

Alright two things possible here, let's hope its not the second one:

1. Your CD didn't burn properly so you may try to do this again
2. Your hard-drive has read/write issues with ubiquity so that's bad

Try again with a new CD and let's hope it makes fine, otherwise you
may still have to stay with Ubuntu 9.04

--
Regards,
Vikram Dhillon

~~~
There are lots of Linux users who don't care how the kernel works, but
only want to use it. That is a tribute to how good Linux is.
-- Linus Torvalds

1. Your CD didn't burn properly so you may try to do this again /\ Ubuntu 9.10 Desktop Edition arrived by Free-post (Santa-Claus). Check CD for errors-passed.

2. Your hard-drive has read/write issues with ubiquity so that's bad /\ That's how it's meant to be after "Darkis boot and Nuke" or so I thought then a sturdy O/S would re-write script protocol?

under liveCD run: /\ This is operational although I was hoping to be able to copy file (report) to floppy for analyse. Also wanted (tried) to connect to the internet through mobile phone. But although my bluetooth sync was enabled there seemed to be no way to dial the modem (how I use it under Windows XP -Start-Settings-Network Connections-Nokia 6500 classic USB Modem-pre fetched dial up platform in O/S)

sudo fdisk -l /\ tried to use the task manager to run or by writing only "sudo fdisk" but returned with comment set parameter to command subject to form drive or something similar. I don't have any idea what to ask the "shell" or how to objectively mount any parameters/commands as all a new language to me. I borrowed a book from the local library "Linux Bible-ISBN 0-7645-4662-7" and it's all about "Red Hat" assuming something similar?

Anyway now running a Memtest86 v2.11[WallTime 4:15:58] [Test:Std] [Pass:3] [Errors:0]-long test & I'll try those command sequences in about 12Hrs or so :P

I'll try to connect this way instead of trying to confuse the operation with bluetooth ;)
https://help.ubuntu.com/9.10/internet/C/connecting-mobile.html
Updated
[WallTime 4:47:58] [Test:Std] [Pass:4] [Errors:0]

[WallTime21:56:33] [Test:Std] [Pass:18] [Errors:0]

@actionparsnip none of these scripts worked

sudo fdisk -l { I varied to}

sudo fdisk -u "or -b or -s"

got me to a list(s) which then lead me to try another variant of:

sudo fdisk -v

which I think gave me a linux version? line return read "fdisk (util-linux-ng 2.16)"

sudo umount /dev/sda1; sudo umount /dev/sda5 { I varied to }

sudo umount /dev/hdb; sudo umount /dev/hdb7 {or "/sda" with "/hda7"}

to which answer(s) became:

sudo: umount/dev/hdb: command not found
sudo: umount/dev/hda7: command not found

keyed then the last line with my variants

sudo fsck -a/dev/hdb1; sudo fsck -a/dev/hdb7 {or "/sda1" with "/hda7"}

line(s) read(s) back:

fsck from util-linux-ng 2.16
fsck from util-linux-ng 2.16

So no real action/active scripts yet or is it just that I'm a newby. Is there any dictionary crossed thesaurus that you can look up what you think you need to do? To find out weather it is in fact able to be done? On line!?! or should I start a new thread for that?

man fsck

will show -a as automatically fix the stuff, I had the same error yuo initially reported and I ended buying a new drive.