Hi
I’m new to Linux.
I have a desktop computer with several drives, some SSD and some conventional 3.5 types. Three of them contain Windows operating systems.
I want to install Ubuntu from a USB stick, but have come across the RST problem while trying to do so. My device management displays Standard SATA AHCI Controller under IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers.
I’ve researched the Internet but can’t find a conclusive statement that changing the settings is ‘safe’.
Would it help to unplug or disable all drives apart from the one empty SSD that I wish to install on? I am not trying to install alongside a Windows installation on the same drive.
I haven’t consciously set up any RAIDs.
I have managed to install Ubuntu on an external SSD on my laptop and like what I see but I’m not sure about the risks. Some sites suggest backing up all data which isn’t feasible in my case.
Do all variants of Linux suffer from the same problem?

Derek Clements

How you do it is totally up to you. The suggestion for backup is always, protect your data, just in case you make a mistake. The suggestion to disconnect other drives is for the same reason.

With the number of devices you have my caution is this: Make certain you know precisely which drive you are installing to.

Some suggest disconnecting the other drives so you can't install to the wrong drive. I have never seen the need to do it that way but others do.

Here is the real issue as I see it. In windows you see drives C:, D:, etc. In linux you see sda, sdb, sdc, etc. They may or may not coincide so installing with multiple drives can be confusing as to which drive you wish to install to.

Do the install in the way that makes you comfortable.

1 members found this post helpful.

First up welcome to both linux and this forum.

The term RST is something I have not come across before so had a look at this thread in the hope of learning the meaning of RST. Alas in vain.

Some time ago I was doing an install unaware that my external backup was still attached, so when the machine formatted the drives, I lost both the original data and part of the backup data.

Recovering my data became a problem.

Thus I believe that disconnecting all but the destination drive is the safe way to do an install. Particularly when new to linux.

What risks are you speaking about?

Backing up your data is always feasible. How long backing up your data would take is a totally different question.

Ponder this question. Which would take longer? Backing up your data (and keeping the backup current) or recollecting your data from source if the HDD unexpectantly dies (taking all your data with it)?

Since you are new to linux and have 3 different windows OSes on 3 different drives along with an undisclosed number of data drives, I would definitely advise disconnecting everything except your target SSD where you intend to install ubuntu. That way the ubuntu bootloader, grub, will install to the SSD and not interfere with windows bootloader(s) on the other drive(s). When finished with the install and have ubuntu booting OK from the SSD, you can add back your other drives. When wanting to boot Ubuntu, you would then go into your bios setup and select the SSD as your boot device and when you want to boot windows, select the appropriate drive in the bios setup.

Also, standard SATA-AHCI is the appropriate setting; no need to change anything there. I assume that "RST problem" refers to some issue with Intel Rapid Storage Technology. Without knowing more about your configuration and the exact nature of your problem, I couldn't offer you any useful advice.

Intel Rapid Storage Technology??

Thanks for replies.
I am actually prevented from installing by the message that I get. I have attached a screen dump.

The risks refer to data loss, and the possibility of not being able to boot back into Windows. This is one site describing this:
https://help.ubuntu.com/rst/

Attached Thumbnails

 

For your RST problem, you're going to have to check your bios setup as the ubuntu installer is detecting that RST is enabled there. However, the fact that you have AHCI shown enabled would appear to be inconsistent with having RST enabled, at least according to the link you provided. If you have your motherboard manual or have a link to it, that should describe the various settings in your bios setup relating to RST. I suspect that if you disconnect all your other drives except the SSD, the RST message would go away.

Edit: I just checked one of my motherboard manuals(Asus) and it definitely shows separate entries to enable/disable AHCI and Intel Rapid Storage Technology. Accordingly, check your bios and disable Intel Rapid Storage Technology if it is enabled.

Thanks for reply.
I will look at the BIOS later, as the computer is doing a job at the moment.

The inconsistency you mentioned has been puzzling me, and is one of the reasons that I posted in the first place.