Author: Jack Carroll
Email: jac--no-spam@chives.mv.com
Date Submitted: Sun, Nov 8, 1998
Status: New Entry
Requester: robert
Email: rform@compuserve.com
Request Made: Sat, May 9, 1998
Releases: | all |
Platform: | intel |
Category: | Installing Issues |
Category Listing: | i'm trying to install redhat linux but can't get system to identify my cd rom drive |
My pc is made by maple computers. the cd rom is ide 24x is this the problem?
First, make sure this isn't a hardware problem. Does this CD-ROM work under any other operating system? My motherboard had poor electrical design of the DE port, with the result that it was unable to support more than one IDE device unless both were within 4 inches of the end of a single ribbon cable. If the hardware isn't working with any software, and the cabling is OK, check the jumpers on the devices. The hard disk should have its jumpers set as the primary master, and the CD-ROM should be set up as the primary slave. I never had any luck using a cable in the secondary slot, because of electrical reflections on the bus. All this means you need the instruction sheets for both drives, to get the jumper settings right. Second, if you're convinced that the CD-ROM and the hard disk are both working correctly in the system, and there's no electrical interference with anything else, you need to identify the type of CD-ROM so you can tell the installation script what it is. This may involve removing it from the chassis to read the label. If you do have to open the case, take rigorous precautions against ESD damage. This means a standard wrist strap, static mat for the table, and ground wires connecting the strap, the mat, and the chassis all to earth ground. One thing you don't need is damaged, flaky hardware to complicate the troubleshooting. In my situation, the physical dimensions of the case made it impossible to install both an IDE CD-ROM and an IDE hard disk in a way that would satisfy the cabling limitations. I went to SCSI and got rid of the problems. This is a bit radical, but if you have to take that approach, it's a lot easier if you get a SCSI card that has on-board BIOS, so the installation script can auto-probe it.
LDP Hardware HOWTO, available as hardcopy in "Linux, the complete reference" (Linux System Labs) or "Linux Undercover" (Red Hat) "Upgrading & Repairing PCs", Que, ISBN 0-7897-1295-4