Redhat 8 install system hangs during format of hard drive

[alijani]

I am having trouble trying to install redhat linux 8 (ker 2.4). It seems to partition and when it begings the format process it hangs.

I even waited overnight and no go.

The hardrive is a Quantum bigfoot 6.3 GB

I pressed CTRL+ALT+F5 and noticed that it is hanging during the mke2fs section when it gets to Writing inode tables 6/46

The mke2fs version is 1.27

Windows XP installs fine so I know its not the hard drive. I even tried low-level format of the drive..

I have been trying to get this to work for hours but cant seem to get anywhere. i have tried all kinds of partition choices but none seem to work. :(

Any help would be really appreciated..

[mdwatts]

Please DO NOT crosspost. Pick the most appropriate forum for your question and post once.

Thank-you for understanding.

The other thread has been removed.

[x]

I suggest you create the filesystem manually, then install.
You could do this during the installation process if you like, press CTRL+ALT+1 to get to a text console (try 2,3,4 .. until you get a prompt, skip CTRL-key if in text-mode)
# mke2fs /dev/hda2 or whatever the partition number is. Be careful! You don't want to loose your Windows, right?

... (But then, why not? ... ;) )

[alijani]

even then the mke2fs hung.

I solved the issue though as it turned out to be a DMA problem.

I had to use "linux ide=nodma" at the install cd boot: prompt.

Apperently the IDE controller is an old one and somehow not fully compatible with linux.

After using the special parameter, it formated fine and installed without any problems.

I hope this help others who may have this problem.