2

When I try to install Debian Linux (newest stable as of 6.2.2013, x64) on a Dell OptiPlex 740 I keep getting this error message right after I choose "Install" from the main menu (the hdd is empty):

Kernel panic - not syncing: VFS: Unable to mount root fs on unknown-block(254,32)

I have tried using a liveCD and that won't boot up either, screen just goes almost white with a white cursor blinking in the top left corner.

Windows 7 Ult x64 installs fine on the same computer. I have installed Debian on several computers (servers) before this and never had any problems. What's wrong?

magicandre1981
  • 99,606
Axel Latvala
  • 150

1 Answers1

2

Two things to check:

  • Try booting from USB, not CD, as sometimes CD drives cannot be detected on startup
  • In the BIOS, set the SATA controller mode to AHCI, potentially IDE, but never RAID, and also "AHCI (Linux)" often does not work with Linux.
Stefan Seidel
  • 10,855