Hi, I'm a tentatively aspiring Windows escapee so please go easy!

I downloaded Ubuntu desktop 10.10 on to my Acer 5741 laptop (which I checked online for comptability), following the site's instructions to the letter. I used the USB installer to create a live USB which seemed to go fine. I then restarted as instructed and changed the USB to be selected to boot. However, from that point, the OS fails to load. I get several pages of code loading, then a screen with a logo at the bottom, then my screen just goes dark.

I've been using Windows 7 to download etc.

Any help very gratefully appreciated. I had a good trawl online and on these forums before posting but couldn't find anything specific troubleshooting this.

Since I a not sure if you created USB boot successfully. Like checking MD5SUM of Ubuntu ISO download file. All I can do is point you to a successful Acer Aspire 5741G linux install.

from

http://www.linlap.com/wiki/acer+aspire+5741g

Just a note. I have had success using the Linux version of Unetbootin for booting pendrives(I don't use Windows). Unetbootin also has a Windows Version also (I would check on Windows 7 compatibility before downloading and using it in Windows 7 though).

Good luck with it and Happy Trails, Rok

Try the usb on another computer.

Could be that your video display is out of range.

I know 10.10 changed some things but you should be able to test the disk/usb at boot. There should be a way to press space bar and get more options such as memtest and check disk.

What video card is on your laptop?
Does your laptop have a CDROM drive? And are you able to boot from it?
If so, then the best way to install Ubuntu would be to burn a Ubuntu CD at the slowest possible speed. Then boot from the CD. Then be sure to run the option "Check CD for Defects". If the option to check the CD for defects passes without errors then the CD is good.
See this for burning a Ubuntu CD:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BurningIsoHowto
Here is a great site for getting started with Ubuntu:
http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/
Write back if you need more help.

And welcome to the LQ forums!!

Thanks for such quick and full responses guys - what an encouraging introduction.

I think the problem may be to do with the video display, as jefro and tommcd suggest. I realised that the Ubuntu intro screen was actually loading but was just too dark! If there is any way of fixing this I'd love to know of it. I'm using Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator HD (core i3).

I ended up using Unetbootin to try out LinuxMint9 on LiveUSB (thanks rokytnji). It seems great! However, I can't get started because the wireless isn't working - Network Manager doesn't seem to find my home router (which I am using on Windows as I type this). I've had a look on the Linux Mint forums but can't find the answer.

So, if you have any suggestions on video display for Ubuntu or getting wireless to work I'd be really grateful. I've also replied more fully to your original suggestions below to check if there is anything else I could do.

Many thanks!

RE rokytnji:

Thanks for the pointer on backup, I had already done that. I'm pretty sure the USB boot was created successfully, but I had a bit of a fail trying to check the MD5SUM. I tried to do it (my first time using terminal) following the instructions on 'help.ubuntu.com/community/HowToMD5SUM' but get told either 'the system cannot find the path specified' or 'cddownload-directory is not recognised as an internal or external command, operable programme or batchfile.'

RE jefro:

I did find the option to test the disk but again the screen goes too dark after selecting this.

RE tommcd:

I burned an Ubuntu LiveCD , although not without trouble: the Windows 7 instructions on the 'BurningIsoHowTo' link didn't seem to work, as right-clicking was not giving me a 'Burn Disk image' option. I thought the problem might have been to do with NTI as the file was coming up as an 'NTI Iso'. I uninstalled NTI and redownloaded the file which was then changed to just a normal Iso. I ended up using InfraRecorder to create a LiveCD (at the slowest speed possible), 'verify disk after burning' was unavailable for some reason but from reading the How To I'm pretty sure it burned correctly (e.g. all files showing). Again, I had no problems in selecting it to boot but again the screen was too dark (although I did get the drums sound this time!).

So yeah this is probably pretty basic stuff but if you can help me get the wireless working or change the display so I can see Ubuntu you'd make me very happy!

The wireless ought to be able to get fixed. How about you make a post in the networking about that single question?

As to the light. Does it seem like the backlight isn't on or does it seem too dim?

Thanks, I'll do that.

With Ubuntu, it's just too dim - if I put my nose almost up against the screen I can make out 'Ubuntu' but only just

Do the function keys work on the laptop. Usually a function key plus some other key to brighten. Also might be part of acpi so I'd boot without acpi. Check too that maybe one or the other choices in bios for acpi or even versions of acpi.

When you first boot the Ubutnu live CD, do you come to a screen like this:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Li...Page%20Options
If, so then choose the option "Check Disc for Defects" and let that run. If it reports no errors, then the CD is good. If you do not see that screen when you boot the live CD, try hitting the space bar to get a list of options and then choose the check disc for defects option as it says here:
http://petermoulding.com/ubuntu_desk...heck_the_media
I think they may have moved the option to check the CD for defects on the Ubuntu 10.10 live CD. I have not used the Ubuntu live CD for a few years since I always install from the alternate install CD, so I am not sure.

As for the dark screen, see if this will help:
http://ubuntu-tutorials.com/2010/05/...up-workaround/
Hit F6 to get a list of boot options. Then hit enter to type in additional boot options. Try using the i915.modeset=1, i915.modeset=0, nomodeset, or xforcevesa options as it says there and see if you can run the live CD without the screen going dark.

You may also want to try downloading the alternate install CD image and burning that to CD. This is a text based install CD that should avoid any graphics related problems.

Check your System>Preferences>Power Management
Click the On AC Power tab and slide the slider to the far right.

That should do it if it is a setting in power management.