Hi

I have encountred two problems.

1 Installed Ubuntu 11.10 on a desktop with an AMD dual core. The system also has XP. On reboot the boot choice menu did not appear and it went to Windows.

2 When not loading windows (assuming Ubuntu is running) I get a message saying VGA Mode not support. I tried with two differentmonitors and got the same message. this is odd because it worked fine during the instal.

I tried loding the trial form the CD, which worked OK but left me with a really strange screen on one monitor and the same message on the other.

Any answers?

When you installed Ubuntu, where did you install grub2 ? It needs to go to the mbr ( master boot record ) on the first hard drive. Then you will get the boot options.

What type of card or on board video card do you have? If it is Nvidia, or ATI, you need to install the proprietory driver for the card. This probably has nothing to do with the monitor you connect.

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Once Ubuntu is running I can't input to the screen - is there a shortcut to the console which will get me past the Not Optimum Mode/VGA not supported messages? I don't suppose I'd be able to get anything through Windows!

You can try the hot key combination of Ctrl + Alt + F1 This should get you to a command prompt. You can also try the first two keys with F2 to F6. F7 will take you back to the xserver.

You are correct. Windies can't read linux file systems. The other way would be to boot the system with a linux live CD. Then you can mount the root file system, and edit what you want.

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If the Ctrl-Alt-F1 thing works (switching to VT1) it is rather easy to install the proprietary drivers for your card. To give you the right commands for that we still need information about your hardware.

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Hmmm. Tried the Ctl/Alt/Fn without success on two screens. Strange that the install disc had no such problem!

Your colleague suggested I gave more setails of the kit. I'm running a Gigabyte GA M61 PME S2 board, using the on-bord graphics. Chipset is NVIDIA® GeForce 6100 / nForce 430. Using Athlon™64 X2 Dual-Core processor. Two HDDs, one old 57Gb Maxtor, the other a bit newer 250 Gb.

Installed Win XP and Ubuntu 11.10.

Screens - ancient Proview flat-screen, more recent Samsung SyncMaster 245b. Syncmaster message is Not Optimum Mode, recommended Mode 1920x1200 60Hz. Can't access the screen menu, but you cant set resolution on it anyway. Similarly the Proview.

A bit frustrated. Set up Acronis Boot controller, it showed an installed Ubuntu, gave me the same results.

I'm in a clench. Cant download drivers cos i cant get into the console. Tried using the console on the install disc without installing anything! Wouldn't let me look at the hard drives. Been through the Grub Rescue torment (hence Ubuntu re installation) which didn't let me do anything. Grrr!

So who has the magic wand? Think I might try the live CD approach. How do I create one?

And thanks in advance. You have already quadrupled my knowledge. }:- {

Intersting! Just tried Ctl + enter and started Windows. whether this a boot switch or Wndows is perhaps running under Linux (?). Acronis is carring out some operations. We shall see!

Download one as an .iso file, and burn it to a CD or DVD. Set the BIOS to boot from the CD/DVD drive first. Pop the CD or DVD in, and boot the system.

I like Knoppix as a live distro. This is what it is mainly. There are many other distros, including Ubuntu that can be used as live distros. I don't know about 11.10, if it is a live CD as well, since you have a copy, give it try.

Your system board is close to mine; GA-M61SME-S2. My graphics card is the same. FWIW my monitor is an Acer AL1916.

I like Knoppix as a live distro. This is what it is mainly. There are many other distros, including Ubuntu that can be used as live distros. I don't know about 11.10, if it is a live CD as well, since you have a copy, give it try.

Your system board is close to mine; GA-M61SME-S2. My graphics card is the same. FWIW my monitor is an Acer AL1916.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for that. Got Knoppix running on the CD. The Ubuntu CD allowed me to run it live, but I could not always access the tty. Just exploring a bit. How do I look at the hard drives? And how do I implement any changes on the computer?

What version of Knoppix?

Been a while since I ran it. If I can remember, icons for each drive show up on the desktop. Clicking any one will mount the drive. Can not remember if it mounts read only or not. However, you can change that to read write. Once mounted, you can edit any file in a terminal. It all depends what you want and need to do.

Got it running. Only got penguin or tty. Nothing really worked. Must be something in my system. Tried Ubuntu from the CD and (wonder of wonders) got it working. I can see the volumes. I'm going to disconnect the smaller drive as i seem ot have a windows installation on each, and Linux on the big one. This might clear up some confusion.

I tried the syncmaster by switching to it once Ubuntu was running and it was ok. Ran updates (evidently held in memory) and when I rebooted got distorted graphics.

Feel as if I am making some progress. Just need to sort out Grub for the dual boot and the graphics and should b ready to rhumba!

Any suggestions?

If you can boot the installed system to a text console use to install the proprietary Nvidia driver. This should solve the graphics issue.