Does Ubuntu 9.04 have problems with Laptop CD ROMs?

I downloaded the most recent version of Ubuntu 9.04 and ran MD5SUM successfully.

However, when I tried to use the CD on a Dell DHP small foot print desktop computer that uses a laptop CD ROM to save space, it would boot but had an error trying to check the CD for errors or just to run Ubuntu. I tried the CD on my Dell C640 laptop and got the same error. ‘I/O Error Error reading boot CD. Reboot’.

So, I tried the CD on my last machine, a Dell with regular 5.25 inch IDE CD ROMs and it worked. I was able to check the CD for errors and test drive Ubuntu 9.04.

The problem is that I want Ubuntu on the Dell with the small foot print.

Who do I notify of this problem? I figure there are folks that will want to load Ubuntu on a laptop or small footprint desktop. Is there a patch or fix or suggestion as to how I can load Ubuntu on this machine?

Please help.

There is no issue loading Ubuntu or any other Linux on different kinds of optical drives, they all work the same. If anything, it could be the media you burned to is not that great and isn't being read correctly by the less powerful optics in the laptop drives.

Try burning it onto different media, and while you wait, clean the lens on the drive too. Laptop drive lenses can get dirty very quickly because they are exposed every time you eject a disc, unlike conventional optical drives.

But there is certainly no problem with Linux running on laptop CD-ROM drives.

To add to MS3FGX's suggestions, make sure you select a slower burn speed for more accurate data transfer. FWIW- for data and boot CDs, I always burn at 8X and have never had any problems regardless what machine I use to read/boot the CD.

Hope this helps.

Thanks guys.

By tweaking my CD writer software to burn at 4X (If 8X is good 4X would be better), I was able to burn a good CD (it did the trick). The laptop had some problems but the space saver desk top worked just fine and that was the intended target of the new OS.

Thanks again for this information. With out it, I would of bailed on Ubuntu.