I am trying to install Linux Ubuntu 5.10 on my old laptop. Have no history with Linux. I have a Dell Inspiron 2500 10 GB hd w/ 128 MB RAM 700MHz Intel Celeron processor running XP Pro 2002 SP1. My Live Ubuntu iso disk is for Intel x86. For some reason, other computers will boot to the disk just fine, but my laptop won't recognize the CD as a boot disk when I restart ... it just boots right through to Windows. Am I overlooking a basic step?

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As you can guess from the stats, XP pro is not a good match for my computer. I'm looking to learn Linux with this machine, take notes in classes, possibly do some sound applications, and use it as a backup webbroser. It seems unclear whether or not my system will be equipt to run ubuntu, I can't find any listed system requirements. If there is a different dist I should be considering for my memory req's, let me know. I might be willing to put 128mb ram. Should I stick with an older version of Ubuntu, like Warty?
Thnks

Did you burn the ISO as a disk image?

Yes. I used a freeware program DeepBurner to burn the iso image (I won't include a link b/c I am new to the forum and it will be blocked).

When the Dell splash screen shows up hit F 12 to get into the one time boot options then select your CDROM drive.

Hi,

I have a compaq armada 3500 (pentium II 366MHz 128 RAM) with damaged windows XP and the same problem, however I cannot do anything like hitting F12 (no splash screen).
IMO the only solution is a boot disk, and I do not know where to find one to copy from the web, or how to create it on a different computer?

thx

Different manufacturers handle it differently - one my (old) Toshiba, I have to hold the "C" key down during boot.

Check your users guide.

problem solved...

thx