Ubuntu installation problems

I've got a WD 750gb external HDD and i'm trying to install Ubuntu 11.04 onto it so I can boot Linux from the External, but Ubuntu's installer isn't recognizing my HDD, and ideas why?

Hello and welcome to Bleepingcomputer.

Which port are you using to connect the hard drive to the computer? USB?

You may have better luck if you use a LTS version of UBUNTU such as 10.04 LTS.

I will provide you with the link, but you have to choose 10.04 LTS from the drop down menu because it defaults to the 11.04 version which still contains a few bugs.

http://www.ubuntu.com/download/ubuntu/download

Bruce.

I think that is what I should have done was go with the 10.04 LTS. I went with the 11.04 and had problems. I am working on a live CD right now as nothing else working. I'm not in a hurry as I might have other problems causing these problems.

Cast

I can speak from personal experience, I used 10.04LTS for a long time with no issues, then I upgraded to another distro, I forgot which one it was now, but it was a later release than 10.04 and was not a LTS version, which removed a lot of the programs that came with 10.04 LTS, then I upgraded to 11.04, that is where I had issues with some menus not remaining open when I clicked on them, specially the Administrative tools menu.

So I re-installed UBUNTU 10.04LTS again.

Keep me updated on your progress.

Bruce.

I actually figured it out. I was trying to install to the same HDD that the install files were on, so yea....Brain fart, so I have 11.04 installed and working but I still have an issue when I boot it up. Before it completely boots up, I get two error messages:

"The disk drive for /boot is not ready yet or not present. Continue to wait, or Press S to skip mounting or M for manual recovery"

I'm a newbie when it comes to Linux, but I have classes that use it coming up (ITT-Tech) so I figured I would get a head start with it.

I have a couple other questions for anyone that is familiar with Ubuntu (preferably 11.04).

Thanks for all the help guys and gals

I did a complete install. It's all good so far. About an hour and a half, after two and a half waiting ofr the download, but no problem making the live CD no problem with the install. So far so good.