Try this.

In the bios change the SATA operation from normal to compination.

 

This help me on Dell gx620 boxes.

 

The option is not available. I can only select to enable Sata support or not at all. However I have successfully install FC4 without any trouble.

neoPluss wrote: "The option is not available. I can only select to enable Sata support or not at all. However I have successfully install FC4 without any trouble."

I just ran into the exact same problem. Now downloading FC4 -- can you think of anything else I should be prepared for?

Format the harddisk using the server manager's utility tools. Pop in FC4 and reboot. Installation is easy from there on.

neoPluss wrote: "Format the harddisk using the server manager's utility tools. Pop in FC4 and reboot. Installation is easy from there on."

Sure enough, that did it. We're up and running. Thanks a lot for the help.

I'm trying to install redhat linux es 3.

I tried this, but my Server installation CD does not have an option to format the hard disk.

Any other ideas?

"I'm trying to install redhat linux es 3. I tried this, but my Server installation CD does not have an option to format the hard disk. Any other ideas?"

I don't have the materials handy now, but I remember there being a slight "language" problem. It may not actually say "format the HD." Try looking for options to "partition" or "set up" the HD for installation or something like that.

yes, there is an option to delete partitions or erase hard disk but that's not the same as format drive. There is no option to format the drive.

Again i DO NOT want to install linux es 4, i want to install linux es 3. I can't do it. I tried setup with es 4 then inserted the es 3 CD, but that did not work.

Choose erase harddisk. Your harddisk must be blank with no partitions what-so-ever for a clean setup. My use of "format" is inappropriate and may have cause confusion here. Sorry.

Reboot with your RH ES3 in CDROM drive and follow its installation steps which include partitioning and formatting the harddisk.

I am not sure ES3 support SATA and if the installation wizard do not recognise any harddisk, you know whats your problem and your solution then.

I was able to resolve the problem. My RH linux ES 3 disks had some bad SATA drivers. It would not recognize the hard drives when I booted up. When i went to select the driver from the list it wouldn't work either. I had to burn another set (RH linux ES 3 Update 6) and tried again. This set worked.

I think the Dell server bootup disk that shipped with my PC is pretty lame. It only allowed me to install win 2003 server or linux es 4 as the OS. You pop in any other OS during installation and it won't take it. It would be a lot better if the server setup disk allowed installation of any OS. I probably would not have to create an updated set of ES 3 CDs since the only thing i was missing was the SATA drivers.