Hello everyone,

I have googled and searched for my question on this site and haven't been successful finding an answer. I am not an advanced computer user, and a total noob with Linux issues. Here is my situation:

I have a new HP Compaq dc7900 Convertible Minitower:

Internal drives
80GB (3.5”) SATA 3.0GB/s with NCQ and Smart IV
Hard disk drive speed
7200 rpm
Storage controller
SATA 3.0Gb/s
Optical drives
SATA DVD-ROM Drive, SATA SuperMulti LightScribe DVD Writer Drive
Flexible disk drive
Optional 1.44 MB Diskette Drive, HP Media Card Reader 22-in-1 (3.5" with PCI)

Complete Specs

I need to run proprietary software from my employer that runs in Linux. When I attempt to boot the cd, I get a black screen. Company tech support ran me through 10-12 work-arounds in the boot menu, but the farthest I was able to get was a "limited shell" error message.

Software tech recommended buying external drive. (Would this work?)

Called HP tech support and was finally advised that HP will not give support for running Linux software, and that their pcs are not compatible, and that my model is not built for dual boot. *sighs*

My question is... Is there a way to work around the incompatibility to successfully boot my software? I am desperate to try and solve as returning the unit leaves me unable to work for at least a month.


Very much appreciate any assistance or advice offered.

Thank you!

Anemocracy

Linux should run on your system. After a quick search I found dell is selling them with OpenSuse as an option so you might try that version to see:

http://www.enterpriser.in/India/Know...96374-449.html

I would agree on running Linux on an external Hard drive, if you install Linux directly onto your system you can void the manufacturers warranty (as well as wipe your recovery partition)so an external may be the best way around all of this and still get descent performance and a fully functional system.

I would also recommend trying a few distributions unless you need a specific one to work with the software that you are using. Some may be easier to configure for your system than others.

As far as the problem booting, I would first check to see if the cd burned correctly (I am assuming you downloaded and burned the cd yourself and could be wrong.). Check the md5sum to be sure you downloaded a non-corrupted image file and be sure to burn the cd from a disk image and burn the cd at slower than max speed to reduce the chance of errors.

If these suggestions do not help with your issues, post again in the tab for your distribution the exact error your computer is giving while booting, system specifications (as best you can), as well as the name and version of the distribution that you are installing as this will bring more attention to your problems by experienced users of that distribution.

Your problem at the moment could be related to any number of things ie..corrupted copy of the os.. or a need to change to save video mode.. the need to disable a incompatible special feature of the distribution you are installing with that system.

This is a relief to know this is an option, but I hope to avoid it.

I don't think I understand what you refer to as distributions. Would this be Linux OS to install on pc? I tried booting the disk from restart with XP Pro installed, and then after upgrading to VistaBusiness.

In the help/boot options menu, the info states that this "...disk boots with linux standard Kernal 2.6" Would this be something I could download/install and would allow it to run?

Attempted to boot with 4 virgin copies of the disk, all of which worked fine on a Dell pc.

I do not get an actual error message during boot sequence. It simply goes to a black screen and has to be shut down manually. In f2 prompt, when I was given command sequences by tech support, it managed to get to the next boot screen.. (two penguins .. then a msg that it loaded with limited shell and told to restart and froze.

If with distributions you mean the software I'm trying to run, I can't post (NDA). It would not be familiar to anyone, and I am not able to access anything but the end-user portion. Unfortunately, I've already exhausted support paths for the product.

I hate to admit this but I'm having a hard time grasping much of what you replied, Hern. I'm googling like mad to get a grasp with the lingo and I really really do appreciate your help.

Thank you!

<Hates Being a Noob>

Quick question. When you refer to can you explain what you mean? Do you mean the disk with the proprietary software on? I presume you need an OS(distribution) to run that on! For anything proprietary, I'm guessing that Fedora or OpenSUSE are the ways to go:
Get Fedora
Get OpenSUSE

Have you thought about running linux as a Virtual Machine? It means you can mess up plenty and still start from scratch, especially if you 'need' your current windows installation. I suggest running a linux in VirtualBox and seeing how you get on. Also means someone could help you through it using logmein.com or something similar.

Hi irishbitte,

I put the disk in, reboot to CD ROM. It doesn't run inside my OS. I'm not sure how it worked on my old Dell pc w/ a Vista OS (it died this week), but it always loaded correctly and ran without a problem.

I'm looking at the Fedora and openSUSE info. Are these OS put in partitions? HP tech indicated that Linux would not work on this pc at all, and neither would allowing for duel booting. I wouldn't have a problem completely overwriting Vista or XP if I were certain one of these would allow me to run my disk properly.

Thank you for your reply!

Installed VirtualBox and successfully created a VM. Booted my disk through it and it worked great until I attempted to log on to the work server. Detected virtual environment and locked down the program.

It looks like the pc is a really expensive paperweight for me, and is going to get shipped back, as it's not worked in Vista, XP or Fedora.

I did copy down the full error message I receive when I get to the boot menu:


Welcome to /////// Live GNU/Linux on CD

<color menu....>

Running Linux Kernal 2.6.19.
Total Memory available: 2003580kB, Memory free: 1990728kB
Can't find /////// linux filesystem, sorry.
Dropping you to a (very limited) shell.
Press reset button to quit.

Addition builtin commands available:

cat mount umount
insmod rmmod lsmod

//////#

(where ///// is name of my software)

Many thanks to irishbitte and Hern for your help. Perhaps this error msg will point to the problem/solution, if not I'll just return this sucker and be done with it!

Well, it looks like your software requires a harddisk filesystem, which is linux based, but not necessarily a complete OS. Have to say, I've never heard of this before! Certainly a novel way of preventing software being run without licence/permission!

Ahm... i thought proprietary software based on the linux kernel is against the GPL?

Hence the reason the OP is not posting the name of his software I'll bet!

I think that's only applicable on distributed s/w. This is only used in-house, written expressly for company use.

but it is really pushing the line.

Why not GPL your software, and make it more functional with the help of the linux community, and reap the rewards in your business?

I'm all for it, but I'm a lowest-tier grunt with an NDA using the thing. NDA is the reason for the '//////' edits.

Sent the tower back. Really appreciate the fast responses and helpful ideas. Sticking around the forum because I want to learn how to use Linux on my personal pc.

I'm not sure how different hardware is going to make any difference if the software is looking for Linux filesystem.