"Invalid System Disk".Why won't Xubuntu install?

Lord_Darkclaw · #1 Apr 11, 2007, 10:19 AM

This is getting annoying!

I've got an old Pentium III computer running Windows98; I added a used hard-drive and formatted it, and then tried to install Xubuntu on the second hard drive (I disconnected the first hard drive and set the formatted drive to "master".

I don't quite understand the installation guide, it tells me to download the ISO file, but it doesn't tell me whether I need to convert it (using 7-Zip) or install it "as is" so I tried it both ways to no avail.

No matter what I do, I only get the message "INVALID SYSTEM DISK".

I tried booting with no CD in the drive and got the same "invalid system disk" message, so I'm wondering, is it because I haven't correctly formatted the hard drive?

The version I am using is Xubuntu 6.06 (Dapper Drake) Alternate:
"PC (Intel x86) alternate install CD
For almost all PCs. This includes most machines with Intel/AMD/etc type processors and almost all computers that run Microsoft Windows. Choose this if you are at all unsure."

Someone please tell me what I'm doing wrong!

HVAC888 · Apr 11, 2007, 10:24 AM

You probably need to set the formatted drive as active.

You can do that using Fdisk from Windows 98 DOS.

Lord_Darkclaw · Apr 11, 2007, 10:40 AM

Thanks HVAC, I'll give that a try

I'll post a reply if I have any luck.

HVAC888 · Apr 11, 2007, 10:53 AM

Hey Darkclaw,

I re-read your post, and though of a couple other possibilities if setting the drive to active doesn't work.

You burned the ISO image and tried to boot from it right? Maybe a corrupt ISO image during burning or from the download. Open the ISO image on XP using something like UltraISO, or even Winrar to verify.

For the formatted disk, run "fdisk /mbr" that should re-write the MBR. Usually Invalid system disk means a corrupted boot record.

Lord_Darkclaw · Apr 11, 2007, 01:02 PM

Thanks HVAC, I found some more info on installing Ubuntu (I figure it must be virtually the same process) and it confirmed that the ISO must be opened first - I think I've done that bit correctly but now I have to figure out what exactly to do with the hard-drive:

I formatted the hard drive and FDISK says that it is already partitioned (primary partition), but it won't allow me to mark it as "active".

I can put files and folders into it with no apparent problems so I think it's okay.
I tried setting the boot sequence with only the CD drive active (hard drive and floppy off) and again i got the "invalid system disk" message.

Ultra ISO sounds promising though - perhaps I didn't burn the CD correctly the first time?