IO Error: (Errno 5] Input/outpur error during Emerge

[pele_smk]

I'm having problems doing just about anything on my system. I can download files and un compress them, install files manually, and do the normal save and load files fine. The os boots perfectly without any hickups and is perfectly stable. Unfortunately, if I try to rebuild a kernel, emerge sync, emerge any packages. I get this failure:


Performing Global Updates: /usr/portage/profiles/updates/2Q-2005
(Could take a couple of minutes if you have a lot of binary packages.)
.='update pass' *='binary update' @='/var/db move'
s='/var/db SLOT move' S='binary SLOT move' p='update /etc/portage/package.*'
..........................................................................@Traceback (most recent call last):
File "/usr/bin/emerge", line 10, in ?
import portage
File "/usr/lib/portage/pym/portage.py", line 7306, in ?
do_upgrade(mykey)
File "/usr/lib/portage/pym/portage.py", line 7197, in do_upgrade
db["/"]["vartree"].dbapi.move_ent(mysplit)
File "/usr/lib/portage/pym/portage.py", line 4593, in move_ent
fixdbentries(origcp, newcp, pkgdir)
File "/usr/lib/portage/pym/portage.py", line 3876, in fixdbentries
mycontent = f.read()
IOError: [Errno 5] Input/output error


I've run 2fsck on the drive and I get lots of errors. I say yes to the errors to fix the problems, but if i do a follow up e2fsck I get errors again. I'm hoping this isn't a bad hard drive. I wouldn't be surprised, because the laptop is getting older, but if I'm able to save files, download files, install files manually(uncompress,./configure, make, make install...process) I don't see why it's a bad drive. Some help on this would be nice.
_________________
AMD64 3000+
Chaintech ZNF3-150
Chaintech ti4200 SE
WD 120gb && Maxtor 250gb && Maxtor 250gb,
Lite-On DVD+-RW
Coolermaster ATC-210
Thermalright slk & Tornado 92mm
It's still hot......

[Kruegi]

Two ideas:

1. The disk, the controller or the cable are starting to die. One of them needs to be replaced!

2. Are you using kernel 2.6.12? It's pretty buggy on AMD64 especially on I/O operations. Use a 2.6.11 kernel instead.

Thomas

[pele_smk]

I'm not using an amd64. Disk, controller, or cable is starting to die is a good guess. It's like the laptop is falling apart on me on this one. Any ideas on how to determine cable vs. disk going bad? If it's the controller, it's a lost cause, since it's a laptop. If it's the cable, I can still pull it off. If it's the disk, the laptop will probably start to sit in a dark and dingy corner somewhere...for a very long time. The laptop is a Sony R505gl, maybe someone else has experienced this. Thanks for response. I'll look into getting a new cable to try.
_________________
AMD64 3000+
Chaintech ZNF3-150
Chaintech ti4200 SE
WD 120gb && Maxtor 250gb && Maxtor 250gb,
Lite-On DVD+-RW
Coolermaster ATC-210
Thermalright slk & Tornado 92mm
It's still hot......