Unable to install the selected kernel

[jman01]

I have kubuntu installed already on my hard drive, but I have the "session lasted less than 10 seconds" error.

When I tried to reinstall Kubuntu through the install CD, I get this message-

An error was returned while trying to install the kernel into the target system

Kernel package: 'linux-generic'.

Check /var/log/syslog or see virtual console 4 for the details.

What do I do?

[dibl]

Re: Unable to install the selected kernel

I don't recognize that error, but I guess you're saying other folks have reported it? What are the circumstances that bring about the error?

Is this a new Kubuntu installation? What version? And give us some information about your hardware -- what brand, motherboard, graphics chip?

[jman01]

Re: Unable to install the selected kernel

*(forgot which option I selected to enter this)

Note that all data on the disk you select will be erased, but not before you have confirmed that you really want to make the changes.

Select dick to partition:

SCSI1 (0,0,0) (sda) - 82.0 GB ATA Maxtor 6Y080P0

<Go Back>
_________________________________________________
The selected device already contains logical volumes and/or volume groups from a previous LVM installation, which must be removed from the disk before creating any partions.

Note that this will also permanently erase any data currently on the logical volumes

Remove existing logical volume data?

<Go Back> <Yes> <No>
_________________________________________________

If you continue, the changes listed below will be written to the disks. Otherwise, you will be able to make further changes manually.

WARNING: This will destroy all data on any partitions you have removed as well as the partitions that are going to be formatted.

The partition tables of the following devices are changed:
SCSI1 (0,0,0) (sda)

The following partitions are going to be formatted:
partition #1 of SCSI1 (0,0,0) (sda) as ext3
partition #5 of SCSI1 (0,0,0) (sda) as swap

Write the changes to disks?

<Go Back> <Yes> <No>
_________________________________________________


Installing the base system.....

Set up users and passwords

A user account will be created for you to use instead of the root account for non-administrative activities.......
Please......

Full name for the new user:***********

<Go Back> <Continue>

Select a username for the new account. Your first name is a reasonable choice.
......
Username for your account: *********
<Go Back> <Continue>[/b]

A good password will contain a mixture of letters, .......

Choose a password for the new user: ******

<Go Back> <Continue>

_________________________________________________

Configuring apt

14%....................... finished I'm assuming



ERROR Alert below!


Select and install software

Please wait...... (stalling at 6%)

An installation step failed. You can try to run the failing item again from the menu, or skip it and choose something else. The failing step is: Select and install software.


(I recall I have somewhere in the ballpark of 128mb of ram, so I have to use this Alternate Install CD to install Kubuntu)

[dibl]

Re: Unable to install the selected kernel

Hmmmm -- are there really three zeros in that disk designation? That's kinda weird -- I don't recall seeing it like SCSI1(0,0.0).

Is that a Kubuntu Live CD that you are using? What version?

Personally, I prefer to do the disk partitioning with a separate GParted Live CD, and then use a Kubuntu Alternate Install CD to install Kubuntu. When it comes to the partitioner, I choose "manual" and then I can pick the partition that I want for "/" and if I'm setting a separate "/home" partition I can do that too. You can make a GParted Live CD by downloading the ISO image and burning it to CD, from here:

http://gparted.sourceforge.net/download.php

I'm thinking there some prior LVM setup on that disk, or something like that, and you need to get rid of that before installing Kubuntu.

[jman01]

Re: Unable to install the selected kernel

I'm basically giving up trying to save what I have on the Hard drive, so..

Could I just open up my desktop's case and pull out the cable connecting the Hard Drive (then reinsert it) and then reinstall kubuntu from the alternative CD?

[dibl]

Re: Unable to install the selected kernel

You could do that, but that in itself won't delete the existing partitioning. Only Gparted or FDISK (from a DOS diskette) will zeroize the hard drive.

[jman01]

Re: Unable to install the selected kernel

Could you link me to a website so that I can download FDISK?

My laptops burner isn't top notch these days.

[dibl]

Re: Unable to install the selected kernel

Here's the first one I found:

http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm

I'm sure there are others. You'll need a blank diskette and a diskette drive, of course.

[jman01]

Re: Unable to install the selected kernel

I made a dos diskette with boot98.exe on it. Restarted the Computer with the diskette installed, and I'm stuck at

A:\>


Command(s) to delete?

[dibl]

Re: Unable to install the selected kernel

FDISK C:

[jman01]

Re: Unable to install the selected kernel

bad command.

[dibl]

Re: Unable to install the selected kernel

Hmmmmmmm. One would assume a Win 98 "rescue disk" would have the FDISK command, but maybe not. At the A:\> prompt, do a

dir | more

and page down through the commands, which should be in alphabetical order. If there's no FDISK command on it, you're back to square one.

[jman01]

Re: Unable to install the selected kernel

Problem solved!

I took my old Windblows XP CD, and ended up deleting two partitions using the DOS command NPART.


Now that I have a working burner, I can think you for the gpart application.

[dibl]

Re: Unable to install the selected kernel

I took my old Windblows XP CD, and ended up deleting two partitions using the DOS command NPART.

Huh -- I never even heard of that one. Nice job!