[SOLVED] Trouble loading a new version of Ubuntu 16.4.04 or Mint.
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Trouble loading a new version of Ubuntu 16.4.04 or Mint.
First things first, Thought problem was DVD drive so bought New one, problem still exactly the same!
Problem: When I try to load Ubuntu or Mint from new disks It loads up to a screen with a small picture of a man and what looks like a keyboard at the bottom of the screen. I press any key and up comes Grub with try or install options on Ubuntu 16.4.04. pressing either one it comes up to another screen for language it's sitting on English, I press that and it starts running like it's loading something but never stops running 15 0r more minutes sometimes it stops running and the computer active light turns solid red and stays there till I do a hard restart then just cycles the same way from the beginning with Grub.
I don't know if Grub is corrupted or some small routine after Grub is corrupted, actually I'm lost as to what is going on. It does the same thing with the old DVD drive and the new one so I'm fairly sure it's software.
Several days before I was screwing around with partition magic and erased the whole disk and couldn't get anything to load, at the time I asked a question on Software and a gentleman their helped me get an old version of Ubuntu 16.04 loaded by not loading any software (option) at the load screen. This is when I thought the drive was somewhat broken and not working right (I was wrong)!
There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with the hard drive or anything else so I came here to see it you guys could help. Anyone experience this type of thing or have any ideas? If you want me to do something from a terminal, please give me the commands.
Did you perform a fresh installation and install Grub to the MBR?
Not sure exactly what you mean. I tried to perform a new installation with 2 separate disks I made by downloading and converting the ISO image, that's why I thought the DVD player was broke. Then the new retail disk came and I tried that it was exactly the same as the 2 I created. Then the NEW DVD came. I installed it and tried the same disks again with the same results. That proves that all the disks are OK, something is wrong in the existing software on the computer.
I provided a step by step procedure as to what has been done. I am set up for DVD/CD and do not have a USB set-up yet, also DVR's are a lot cheaper.
I am under the impression if you erase a disk and run a new disk for Live or installation it will at least start by asking one questions. It is not doing that. How do you install a new Grub to the MBR (what's that).
You might be having a video detection problem. What happens when you try nomodeset as a kernel option? I don't think it should be a grub/MBR problem since you have not reached that part of the installation yet.
if your dvd/cd is just sitting there running, as some have already said your dvd reader maybe having problems reading your dvd for whatever the reasons, dirty read head, or dirty dvd, scratched in that one spot so it gets stuck there forever trying to read it.
if you have no OS that you can boot into whatsoever? Because you should have a USB Port unless your system was build before 1996. if you have any kind of OS someone with Windows even buy a decent inexpensive usb stick 8 GB should be enough then download an ios or use the one you have and burn that to the usb stick. if you're using windows there is free software that is used to burn the iso to the usb stick then boot that.
dvd, clean it soft cloth and a tough of water even, that and the reader if that can be done for he lazier head that reads the disk.
the USB Stick and dd command too can be done it is just as easy if not easier to use that to get a iso to a bootable USB Stick. If you have a live dvd that will get you an operating system, or know someone that has Linux on there system. you might even be able to go to a library and use one of their system, (maybe, depends on the security they put on them,) to get a iso burned to a usb stick. so somewhere they have PCs that give access to the public. to get the software for windows to use to get a usb stick with the install burned to it.
I assume this means burn to DVD as image using brasero or other disc burning software.
If all three disks behave the same regardless of if it was purchased, burned or DVD disc drive used itself then it is probably the kernel that is causing issues. The video mode setting was moved into the kernel so if the transition from initial boot screen to x does not work properly you end if with a black screen as far as I know. Which is why I suggested trying the nomodeset kernel option.
Although the disc lens or discs themselves could be dirty I would expect the purchased disc or new disc drive to be clean enough. The initial welcome page is displayed so while the downloads could be questionable I would assume/expect the purchased disc to be verified. Since the OP can not get past the initial welcome screen I would not expect the hard drive would of be read yet and so MBR/partition table not an issue.
Not sure exactly what you mean. I tried to perform a new installation with 2 separate disks I made by downloading and converting the ISO image, that's why I thought the DVD player was broke. Then the new retail disk came and I tried that it was exactly the same as the 2 I created. Then the NEW DVD came. I installed it and tried the same disks again with the same results. That proves that all the disks are OK, something is wrong in the existing software on the computer.
I provided a step by step procedure as to what has been done. I am set up for DVD/CD and do not have a USB set-up yet, also DVR's are a lot cheaper.
I am under the impression if you erase a disk and run a new disk for Live or installation it will at least start by asking one questions. It is not doing that. How do you install a new Grub to the MBR (what's that).
Can anyone help?
Before you can re-install Grub you have to ensure that there is a partition/MBR that you can install it to.
I suggest you boot up to a Live Linux CD or DVD and run fdisk -l (letter L) and see if those Ubuntu and Mint partitions are still there. IF you already erased the disk like you said with parted magic I doubt those partitions are still there.
Before you can re-install Grub you have to ensure that there is a partition/MBR that you can install it to.
I suggest you boot up to a Live Linux CD or DVD and run fdisk -l (letter L) and see if those Ubuntu and Mint partitions are still there. IF you already erased the disk like you said with parted magic I doubt those partitions are still there.
Does nomodeset as a kernel options work?
Is this a uefi machine?
Getting confused. Where/how do I run nomodset? Is this from run from a terminal?, what is the command if at terminal?
Distribution: Debian testing/sid; OpenSuSE; Fedora; Mint
Posts: 5,524
Rep:
OK, if you having problems with the installation, when it stops, try: CTRL+ALT+F4. That is the system log. It should tell you what's going on. If you need a terminal, try: CTRL+ALT+F2. To get back to the install screen, CTRL+ALT+F1.
I remembered where I saw Nomodset, did that and figured out that the problem was the video drivers that were the default option. Si I switched drivers and things looked better. Reinstalled Ubuntu and Mint now everything is fine.
I really want to thank everyone who helped me, it really had me upset that I couldn't figure out the problem! I had never heard of the Nomodset, without it being mentioned I would probably still be cussing up a storm, sorta!
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