Linux Ubuntu Install Error: "input/output error during read on /dev/sda"

Unfortunately I do not have a testing utility.  Do you know of one I can download?

And how do I know what sda is?

They are all on the ubcd. But it is most likely your installation CD, as the HD is accessed when you get to the partitioning of it, and the way I understand, you get that message earlier on during the installation.

http://ultimatebootcd.com

What Disk controllers are you using, to what is the CD Drive connected, and to what is the HD connected?

Also, how far do you get with the CD? Are you booting into the ubuntu desktop and then running the installation script, or are you selecting install ubuntu directly from the boot menu of ubuntu?

The Hard Drive is IDE as is the CD Drive and this is a laptop.

I've tried installing it both ways. I can successfully get into the desktop, but the installation gives the same error from there as well.

And the error always appears after I go through the initial screens (click next, next, etc.)

It then comes up with the copying files loading bar, and then the error pops up.

It pops up after the disk is formatted? If yes, then it is probably an HD problem. Also, the screen where you can select whether the disk should be formatted manually or not should also show you the device name of the disk. If sda is shown there, then it's the HD, if another letter combination is shown, then sda would be the CD Drive. Also if you select manual you should see more details.

I just tried to install Ubuntu again, and it worked this time.  I don't know if it was just a fluke or maybe the scanner did fix some errors.