can't install Linux to sata drv

[DouglasAdams]

when installing Mandrake 10.1 to a 2.5 gig partition (far bigger than i suspect any Linux install will ever be) on a sata drv it stopped just after looking for the sata (and other) drivers. so i increased the size of the partition to 4.5 gig - same stop.
do i need to mess about with drivers on a floppy and pressing F6 like i would in windows?

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Originally posted by: DouglasAdams
when installing Mandrake 10.1 to a 2.5 gig partition (far bigger than i suspect any Linux install will ever be) ...

Mandrake could easily fill a much larger partition, especially if you install multiple browsers, desktop managers, email clients, etc, etc., though a default setup likely won't. The 4.5 GB partition should be safe, provided your home directory is on a separate partition.

Some helpful info concerning SATA and Linux. The easiest solution would be to enable "Legacy ATA Mode" (provided your mobo gives that option) and live with it.

 

[Nothinman]

when installing Mandrake 10.1 to a 2.5 gig partition (far bigger than i suspect any Linux install will ever be)

I wouldn't try installing on anything less than a 10G partition myself. I could clean up ~4G of that used space there, but I like the cushion that my apt cache provides.

/dev/sda3 34G 12G 22G 37% /

do i need to mess about with drivers on a floppy and pressing F6 like i would in windows?

F6 won't likely do you any good since the installer is completely different, but without knowing anything about your hardware it's hard to point you in the right direction.