I'm attempting to install Ubuntu 12.04LTS, 64 bit onto a Dell Inspiron 15R laptop. I've shrunk down one of the windows partitions and even used gparted to format the vacant space as ext4.
However, the install disk simply does not present any options when it comes to the partitioning step. What I get is a non-responsive blank table
As well as the above, I've changed the BIOS settings so that USB emulation is disabled (as per Can't install on Dell Inspiron 15R), and changed the SATA Operation setting to all three possible options.
Anyway, the install CD will bring up the trial version of ubuntu, and if I open terminal and type sudo fdisk -l, I get this:
Disk /dev/sda: 1000.2 GB, 1000204886016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 121601 cylinders, total 1953525168 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 4096 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 4096 bytes / 4096 bytes
Disk identifier: 0xb4fd9215
Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 63 80324 40131 de Dell Utility
Partition 1 does not start on physical sector boundary.
/dev/sda2 * 81920 29044735 14481408 7 HPFS/NTFS/exFAT
/dev/sda3 29044736 1005142015 488048640 7 HPFS/NTFS/exFAT
/dev/sda4 1005154920 1953520064 474182572+ 83 Linux
Disk /dev/sdb: 32.0 GB, 32017047552 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 3892 cylinders, total 62533296 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0xb4fd923d
Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sdb1 2048 16775167 8386560 84 OS/2 hidden C: drive
If I type 'sudo parted -l', I get:
Model: ATA WDC WD10JPVT-75A (scsi)
Disk /dev/sda: 1000GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/4096B
Partition Table: msdos
Number Start End Size Type File system Flags
1 32.3kB 41.1MB 41.1MB primary fat16 diag
2 41.9MB 14.9GB 14.8GB primary ntfs boot
3 14.9GB 515GB 500GB primary ntfs
4 515GB 1000GB 486GB primary ext4
Model: ATA SAMSUNG SSD PM83 (scsi)
Disk /dev/sdb: 32.0GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B
Partition Table: msdos
Number Start End Size Type File system Flags
1 1049kB 8589MB 8588MB primary
Warning: Unable to open /dev/sr0 read-write (Read-only file system). /dev/sr0
has been opened read-only.
Error: Can't have a partition outside the disk!
I've also tried a Kubuntu 12.04 and Linuxmint install disks, wityh the same problem.
I'm completely lost here.
Cheers,
Kieran
