Problem installing Ubuntu 11.10 + Samsung HD

I have a Mk5 CF29 w/ old 40 gig HD. Ubuntu 11.10 loaded fine on this drive to dual-boot with XP. I have no problems with this currently other than a lack of space.

I'm pretty sure the new HD is a 160gig (maybe 80?) I forget...anyway its a new Samsung IDE. Disk is completely empty and passed checks using an external reader on another comp. Ive also formatted to both NTFS and FAT32, still no luck loading OS though. Ubuntu starts loading and then stops and says that the disk failed the check. It lists the exact new hard drive to include size in the BIOS. I'm pretty sure that Linex doesn't realize that data transfer is a little slow on toughbooks, and it nicely lets me know its going to stop loading the OS because my new disk has issues. I'm using the same ribbon/caddy as the drive which works, and have tried connecting/reconnecting several times.

Is there a way to skip the disk check before it loads UBUNTU? The disk is new and I see no issue for it to not work other than a programming code issue.

Why am I making a headache for myself? I have a 32bit Ubuntu install usb, but no Win XP CD. I need to do something asap as xp is acting up (failing 40 gig drive?) and I'm in the middle of Afghanistan so no access to a setup cd. Thanks in advance for any help. Oh and I do have XP on the way, but of course waiting on the mail system...I'm thinking that Windows isn't concerned about what it installs itself on, guess one way or another Ill find out.

 

First thing that comes to mind is you may have a bad Samsung drive. There have been several reports in the past ~month of new Samsung HM160HC drives that would not load right. That has been a great drive for many of us -- until this problem.

Suggest trying another hard drive if you have one.

I'm always interested in helping servicemen, especially deployed. Feel free to get in touch by PM or email [email protected]

 

Hey thanks for the support! See that's the thing, I've formatted and reformatted it and I ran a disk check program, and it all worked without fault. This was of course all with Win 7 based stuff, but I cant imagine that it could pass those and still be bad.

I wish I had another IDE drive laptop here to test my theory, but sadly I don't. Just fishing for ideas right now...Oh and now I remember, that is the drive I have.

 

@bulletproofcf29,

As Springfield say's, there appears to be a manufacturing defect on those drives, check the link to another thread.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/617291-samsung-hm160hc-cf-51-help.html

o.g.

 

Yeah, that sounds like a faulty drive, mate.

 

Yeah, I hate to say it but it does look like it has issues now. I can format the 8mb to whatever I want, and it looks like the 160g part is formatting also but when I reconnect it proves it didn't actually change anything.

Anyone know if Samsung is going to stand behind a recall on these? Not a huge deal, but to throw away a new drive really sucks...vendor won't stand behind it because I have no way of mailing it back.

Now the issue at hand. I have an extra sata 500gig 7200 drive. Anyone have a sata to ide adapter they can recommend? I see a lot for sale, but don't know what actually fit.

 

try a low level format.

also, with a teeny tiny mod this fits as well: SATA Female to 44Pin 2.5 IDE Male HDD Adapter Converter | eBay

I used that adapter in my SSD mod: http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/622381-cf-29-mk4-corsair-f120-ssd-hell-yeah.html

 

Thanks Ares, I ordered one up.

 

You'll need to remove two or three small pieces of the shock absorbing foam. It shouldn't, however, have much of an impact (pardon the pun) on the shock absorbing capabilities of the caddy.

 

I'm wondering what drive(s) would be a good alternative for buying a new HD (other than going SSD) ?

 

the wd1200beve is a pretty good drive. had one in me cf-29 before i joined the dark side and started using an ssd.

 

Thank you ares93. Concerning SSD, which did you use and what are some good options? Regards

 

I used the Corsair F120 i had laying around. With the sata adapter, it works great.

I can recommend Corsair's Force series, i use them myself. But the Intel makes damn good ssd's too.