Linux Install on HP zt1185
 

Hello all:

I'm new to this forum, and to a lesser extent Linux and I was recently given the following laptop, basic specs below. The problem I'm having is that I can't get any Linux distribution to run from DVD or install to the system. I've tried Debian, Fedora, Mint, Legacy Mini and DSL distributions with no luck. In fact, I can't even get DBAN to boot so I can wipe the drive and get rid of XP. So, I'm thinking there must be a problem with the DVD-ROM drive failing to recognize the burned ISOs?

I wanted to put Linux on this system and play around with it because it's old and was free, so I won't feel terrible if I can't make this happen, but it's frustrating. Any suggestions?

zt1185
P4 1.5GHz
512MB DDR @266MHz
AGP 4x - S3 Savage4
XP Home 32-bit

I haven't delved into the system enough to get specs on the board or anything.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

Sorry for the obvious questions but...
a. Did you set your Boot Priorities in your bios to first boot from a DVD/CD if a bootable one was present.
b. Did you burn the iso image correctly using the "burn image" option (or something like it) of your disk burning software.
c. On some very old systems with very old CD readers it was necessary to use a usb DVD/CD reader in order to boot from it. Is this a possible problem?
jdk

Hello jdk,

Thanks for your prompt response.

a. Did you set your Boot Priorities in your bios to first boot from a DVD/CD if a bootable one was present. Yes
b. Did you burn the iso image correctly using the "burn image" option (or something like it) of your disk burning software. Yes
c. On some very old systems with very old CD readers it was necessary to use a usb DVD/CD reader in order to boot from it. Is this a possible problem? Not sure I understand this question. Do you mean is the optical drive a separate unit that has to be plugged in via USB? If that's the question, the answer is no, the optical drive is internal.
jdk

More info Linux install HP zt1185
 

The results on trying the various distros (and DBAN)

Mint 16 32-bit tried to run from DVD but crashed, most likely because I didn't have virtual machine installed and running.
Debian, Fedora Lgacy Mini and DSL not recognized as bootable discs. DBAN not recognized as bootable disc.

I tried burning the ISOs using the native software on Windows 7 and EasyISO.

If you have a flash drive (if not they are cheep) then try: http://www.isotousb.com/, it could be your optical drive?

Hello jamison,

Thank you for your reply. Actually, I tried following directions on PCSupport.com by using a flash drive and Universal USB Installer, but BIOS won't even recognize the option to boot from USB drive. I can choose hard drive, CD, or floppy (the system doesn't even have a floppy drive!)

Tomorrow I'm going to go online and see if I can find an updated driver for the optical drive, maybe that will help.

Well, thanks for looking folks and if anyone has a flash of inspiration please let me know.

Haave you tried from cd?

Hello EDDY1,

The results on trying the various distros (and DBAN)

Mint 16 32-bit tried to run from DVD but crashed, most likely because I didn't have virtual machine installed and running.
Debian, Fedora, Legacy Mini, and DSL not recognized as bootable discs. DBAN not recognized as bootable disc.

I tried burning the ISOs using the native software on Windows 7 and EasyISO.

Have you tried the disks on another computer?

There are also .exe (and like) installers for within microcoughed-winblow$ e.g: like:
http://puppylinux.org/wikka/WindowsInstaller
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wubi_%2...u_installer%29
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/20079...er-or-netbook/
... :)

Hello EDDY1,

Not yet. I have a Windows 7 laptop that I don't want to mess up, so I will either check out virtual machine and then see if I can get the discs to boot on that...

Or I have an AM3+ desktop that died from board failure, so I might wait for a new board to show up for that, I was planning to turn it into a Linux box anyway, it was XP before and I wanted to see how Linux would do for use as an inexpensive living room multimedia computer. Just something to play/stream movies and music, browsing, that kind of thing.

You only want to check to see if the disks are bootable not actually install to the other machine.
Also most distros in your list require atleast 1G of ram, while you only have 512Mb.

Hello jamison,

Thanks for this info.

This will result in a dual-boot situation, right? Although that would be OK, I'd like to get rid of XP entirely and force myself to practice on Linux daily until I have a better grasp on the OS and all the apps out there.

Hello EDDY1,

Yeah I realized the hardware might not support newer, more elaborate Linux versions, but DSL claims it will work with as little as 128MB RAM, or less.

Let me check and see if I can get these to boot on the 7 laptop...

Can't say for sure but If there's no option for the installer to wipe microsucks (perhaps taking you for a reboot) then you can use Linux to wipe the other partition and resize (e.g: how-can-i-resize-an-ext-root-partition-at-runtime) your Linuces partition then do ato remove the proprietary choice from the boot screen. ;)

P.s: Puppy is light...