Trying to install Ubuntu 7.04 on Dell Latitude c600
 

I have tried everything I can and search everywhere but still cannot get this to work. I get the Feisty installed, however after I remove the disk and press enter to reboot the system; it keeps rebooting the system at the press esc screen... I'm guessing a hardware issue but I've tried to install every version of ubuntu and the last good working one is 5.04.
This laptop is running stock hardware as originally configured by Dell, no add-ons or upgrades.

Thanks.

Ubuntu on Dell Latitude C600
 

I'm running Ubuntu 7.04 on a Dell Latitude C600 laptop without any problems - so it does work!

This wasn't a clean install; I installed an earlier version of Ubuntu when I bought the machine secondhand and I've just gone with the automated new release upgrades since. My machine does have 384MB RAM and a larger than standard hard drive (20GB). I also updated the BIOS to get rid of a power management problem.

I can't tell you what the problem is, but it looks as though your machine isn't finding the hard drive (or at least the GRUB file). I had a problem like this on a desktop machine which insisted there was no operating system installed. It turned out that I'd put the hard drive jumper on the wrong pins - not relevant to you because laptop HDs don't have jumpers.

A couple of silly questions - don't be offended:

• Is the BIOS set to boot from the hard drive?
• Did you opt to put GRUB in the MBR?

Keep trying!

Mike G.

Thanks for the input. I know it should take it as it installs 100% it's just on the system re-boot that it hangs. This is really weird. The bios is set to boot from the hard drive and I did opt to get grub in the mbr.

What version of bios are you running, as per the dell website I am runing the most recent A23 dated 07-08-03.

My Hardware is as follows:
** Processor **
Manufacturer Intel Pentium III processor
Clock Speed 760MHz
L2 Cache Size 256

** Memory **
Memory Slot 1 [DIMM_A] 256Mb
Memory Slot 2 [DIMM_B] 256Mb

** Network Card **
Adapters 3Com 10/100 Mini PCI Ethernet Adapter - Packet Scheduler Miniport

** Storage **
Drive Type Drive Size Total Available Space Used Space
C: NTFS 18.63Gb 13.18Gb 5.448Gb

I'm running with BIOS version A20. I didn't upgrade further on the 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' principle; the problems the later versions fixed didn't seem to apply.

Presumably, this information was from your previous Windows install, as Linux doesn't use drive letters. Linux has only recently got to grips with NTFS, as it's Microsoft proprietary. Even now, I don't think installing Linux on an NTFS file system is recommended (unless you use WUBI - which installs Ubuntu as a giant file within the Windows file system, so avoiding re-partitioning the hard drive). So, when you installed Ubuntu you should have been asked how you wanted to re-partition the hard drive. Did you let the installer do it automatically or opt for some manual intervention?

I always opt for 'manual' in order to put '/home' on a separate partition. This means that if I do need to reinstall, I don't lose any personal data.

The partition tool does take a little getting used to. The changes you make are not written to disk until you've been through a 'Are you really sure you want to do that?' check. So it's possible to exit the tool thinking you've set things up when you haven't (I've done it - not once but several times!). Also, you have to specify for each partition the file system, size and the relevant folder, such as '/', '/home' or whatever. If you don't do the last bit the space won't be used (again, that's personal experience!).

It's a while since I actually ran the Ubuntu installer, so I'm a bit vague about what actually appears on the screen - but the Ubuntu guide is here:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/GraphicalInstall

I'm hoping to install Xubuntu on an old desktop in the next few days. If you're still having problems I'll make some notes of anything that isn't clear from the Guide.

When I got to the portioning section I opted to erase entire disk and use it as Linux only, I don't believe in dual booting. If I'm getting away from something then I do it all the way.

I will try again tonight. Will post details.

creolbuay,

I joined this forum to reply to you, but only rarely have time to browse it. If 8oluf7 is unable to help you, then you can PM me.

I have installed Linux Mint(Ubuntu) on a dozen older Dell notebooks (CPi A366, CPx H500, CPx J650, C600) to give to my wife's and son's friends. These Dell PII and PIII based notebooks are a little quirky to setup, but are decent to use as long as they have at least 256MB of RAM. I am actually letting Mint install on a C600 as I type this. I usually use BartPE and Diskpart to delete the existing partitions, including the hidden utility partition. I then install Xubuntu temporarily to check out the notebook. Then I will install Linux Mint (Cassandra). Depending on the model, there is some post install adjustment to xorg.conf and removal of "powernowd" due to mouse freezing on the C600.

8oluf7,
I use the latest Dell BIOS on all of these, including A23 on the C600s with no problem.

Cant install ubuntu 8.10 on Latitude C600
 

I am a newbie.
I can't get a basic installation.
Here are the specs:
Dell Latitude C600
RAM 256 Mg
Pentium II X86 600 MHz
HD 10 GB

Anything else you need to know?

I downloaded Ubuntu 8.10-desktop-i386.iso and burned a disk at the slowest speed.

When I try to boot from the disk, I do see some lines rush by on the screen that say error.

Please don't assume that I know technical acronyms.

This hardware is inadequate to run Ubuntu 8.10
Try installing a less heavyweight distro, maybe xubuntu or damn small linux (DSL) or even puppy

Please start a new thread for Q's like this.
And welcome to LQ!

charliek, All the Dell Latitude C600s I am aware of are Pentium III. I would suggest that you install Linux Mint (Cassandra) which has a base of Ubuntu 7.04. I have not used anything newer on the C600s. I just let the system update the existing software.

Your final sentence indicates we should check the basics.

Did you select the right options in your CD burner software to burn the file as an ISO? Many burner apps. do not do this automatically so it's always something worth checking. If you haven't got this step right, it doesn't matter which of the recommended distros you try - you won't get to the first screen.

Another thing to check - is your BIOS set to allow boot from CD? When you start your machine you should get a screen telling you what it is and showing a little thermometer bar which moves as the BIOS completes its checks. To the right of and above the thermometer is a message which, from memory, states in part: 'Press F12 for boot options'. If I'm right, press F12 while the message is still displayed and then alter the stuff in the boot options window to make the CD drive the first option. exit and you should be good to go.

BTW I have Ubuntu 8.04 running reasonably on a C600 - but it has 384MB RAM and a 20GB HD. I think 8.10 needs more RAM.

I noticed my error after I posted. Of course, the chip is Pentium III. I am not familiar with the name "Mint" but I can certainly go back the Linux page and download 7.04. Another person recommended the smaller xubuntu or (DSL) "damn small linux" or "puppy". I will look for one of those.