Different distributions freeze my computer after few minutes using them
 

Hello everybody!

I'm trying to install a linux distribution in my computer and I'm having a "strange" problem.

When I use the live-cd of the distribution I want, after few minutes, system freezes. First I thought that it was a problem of the cd. But, trying more times and with different distributions I got the same problem. I tried with Kubuntu 8.04 (KDE4 and KDE 3.5 versions), Mandriva Spring.2008 and Fedora 9. Same problem with all of them. System seems to work with Dreamlinux 3.1, but I want to install some distribution with KDE4. And I would prefer to use Kubuntu or Fedora (although I'm open to suggestions).

This isn't the first time I try to install a linux distribution in my computer, and before I didn't have this problem...

The computer I'm using is an Acer Laptop

Windows works perfectly, well, without this problem...

Some idea?

Thanks a lot!!

laptops can be an issue due to proprietary drivers in ms world not having open source equal.

you need to post more specific details pls.

when you run dreamlinux live cd, you can run

su
lspci > /lspci.txt
lsmod > /lsmod.txt

save these files somewhere but lsmod may be large and turn off readers it is better to upload it to a free storage site like www.ripway.com if you do not have one already.

it would be handy to link the other files
/var/log/dmesg
/var/log/syslog

and if you are having video resolution issues

/etc/X11/xorg.conf

2) make model of laptop and details of your motherboard pls....a link to its specification is handy as its the chipsets and connections that give us a guide to what drivers you may need.

you can always search the HCL yourself once you know these specs.

be aware that internal modems can be problematic search term linmodems

but so called multi task on board sound modems are even worser.

good luck

Previous versions worked fine
 

Thanks!

I will try it, but I don't think I had any problem with drivers. Because previous versions of Kubuntu, Mandriva and Fedora worked fine. I will be surprised that more recent versions had less drivers suport than previous ones...

You may have better luck with the real installer, Live CD's are cut down a bit, id try grabbing the newest version of Kbuntu (or whichever distro) and installing it, and see if it works.

Definitely tell us your laptop model though and check it on google with "linux" there may be others with the issue and have a soloution.

My laptop is an Acer, TravelMate 4002WLMi

Thanks to all!

Finally I know what makes the system freezes: the reason is the mouse touchpad of the laptop... After some minutes using it, system freezes...

with root powers change your /etc/xorg.conf file to copy and paste the touchpad section from this user

http://linux.vandeplas.com/acer/tm4002.XF86Config

----
Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Touchpad"
Driver "synaptics"
Option "CorePointer"
Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"
Option "Protocol" "auto-dev"
Option "LeftEdge" "1700"
Option "RightEdge" "5300"
Option "TopEdge" "1700"
Option "BottomEdge" "4200"
Option "FingerLow" "25"
Option "FingerHigh" "30"
Option "MaxTapTime" "180"
Option "MaxTapMove" "220"
Option "VertScrollDelta" "100"
Option "MinSpeed" "0.10"
Option "MaxSpeed" "0.12"
Option "AccelFactor" "0.0015"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
Option "YAxisMapping" "6 7"
Option "Emulate3Buttons"
EndSection