Ubuntu installer doesn't see internal hard drive on DELL Vostro 3360

Question

I just received a new DELL Vostro 3360, it has Windows 7 preinstalled. When it comes to the partition window I can't see the hard drive there. I see only /dev/sda or /dev/sdb (either one and in both cases it's a usb drive from which I'm installing).

I tried every imaginable BIOS configuration. Tried to change the SATA mode to ATA, DHCI and more.

EDIT: I tried to install with standard Ubuntu 12.04 32 bit, and 11.10 64 bit official versions.

No luck. I'll appreciate any suggestion.

Solution

Best thing I can think of is boot from your Ubuntu LIVE USB (should be an option in BIOS to boot from USB), then select "Try Ubuntu" from the window that pops up.

Once the GUI loads, launch your terminal from the dashboard and type sudo gparted to run Ubuntu's partition manager. From there you should be able to see all mounted and unmounted drives.

• Also, Ubuntu's file format is ext4...Windows is typically NTFS. If it it NTFS, the Partition Manager you're supplied with may not see it but instead will show Fat32 and unallocated space partitions. Gparted will show you all partitions.

I may not be on par with your question here but not fully sure what you're asking. Interpreted to the best of my ability.

Comments

[Eliah Kagan]

possible duplicate of Only 'sdb' shows up when installing 12.04 on a new Dell inspiron 14z

[valk]

Thanks, tried, resized the partition, still nothing appears under the Installation type. And the device for boot- /dev/sdb. Maybe Vostro 3360 is not the right hardware for Ubuntu... :(