Description of problem: My computer has a NVIDIA nForce 4 ATA controller in it. libata is incompatible with this controller, and causes faliures in the installation. The module loaded by Anaconda is ide_amd or similar. Because of the experimental and problematic nature of the libata driver (it is marked as Raving Lunatic in the kernel config, and other experimental stuff), Fedora kernels should not use this by default, as it could cause hardware damage, and further issues. Old IDE system should be provided as a fallback (and respins done as needed to tackle with this serious issue). Version-Release number of selected component (if applicable): Stock Fedora 7 Kernel for i686. How reproducible: Always Steps to Reproduce: 1. Boot Anaconda with affected system. VMware Server is one example. 2. Start the install Note how Anaconda dies. Also note how the traditional IDE system is not used by default. Actual results: Anaconda dies, no method to go back to traditional IDE. Expected results: Traditional IDE is used by default, Anaconda does not die. User's hardware is in no risk of damage and enjoyment of Fedora can continue. Additional info:
The 'raving lunatic' option is for something completely unrelated (SC1200). The nforce should work. (and pata_amd being used for some nforce chipsets is normal)
Ok. I noticed that the install crash is for something different, sorry to confuse, though I guess the install could crash if there is no libata IDE driver for the hardware.
pata_amd is pretty solid for Nvidia (has some cable detection glitches we know about but those are also in the old driver). And we don't ship any drivers that can destroy IDE hardware (nor with the exception of one vendors bad CD screw up can you generally do that even intentionally) With no libata driver an install won't find the CD-ROM it booted off (or the disks or whatever) but shouldn't crash. As libata supports more PCI and later h/w than old IDE this shouldnt arise
I feel regardless of this, the old IDE system should still be avaliable. But thanks for clearing this up.