IBM ThinkCentre M51 refuses to load Linux
 

This machine has Windows XP installed on the hard drive. I had intended to set it up as a dual boot system using Fedora 11. I believe that you change the boot order from XP.
However, Windows has managed to lose some files and won't boot. I then discovered that you can enter the BIOS without Windows by inputting <enter> when the IBM logo appears. This is where it gets strange. I have tried moving the cd drive to primary boot device, excluding all devices from the boot sequence but the cd drive. Whatever I have tried the machine refuses to read the cd drive to allows me to load linux.

By the way I am using a Linux Format Live CD. I have tried a number of distros without success.

The two possible results to my efforts are:
1 - It identifies the missing folder and requests using the Windows cd to run setup and repair ......I don't have a copy of XP and don't intend to buy one

2 - It can't find an operating system

There is no need to remove other boot devices from the boot order. Just set the CD drive as the first boot device. You should see the drive light turn on as the BIOS tries the drive to see it there is bootable media present.

Set the CD first, HD second, and what ever you want after that.

As for fixing XP, you may be able to fix it from within linux, once you get it to boot up. If not, you will need a XP install CD. If you are not going to fix XP, then install linux, and blow XP away.

If you have data you want to recover, that can be done with a live linux CD. It takes some knowledge, I used samba client on the live CD to copy files across my home network to another machine ( in my case a linux system ).

Hi Cliff

I tried exactly that. The first time you switch on the drive light comes on but as you re-try the boot it completely ignores the cd drive. That is why I tried removing all other boot devices....it didn't make any difference

Tony

Hmmm, I did a little googling. Came up with this :

http://www.linux-tested.com/results/...-11U_ddr1.html

I don't know if this is the same model or not. But it seems you can get linux to install on a M51.

I saw the CD-rom passed the testing. So, what make and model of drive is it? Is it IDE or sata? Since the drive light does come on once, it could be there is a problem with the driver on the CD for the CD drive. Not sure, that is just a guess.

And another link... http://www.turbolinux.com/products/c...ware/9.html#43 look at the Levono tab.

It might be worth a call to Levono support ( or IBM support ).

M51 and Linux
 

Hmmmmmmmm......A bad CD maybe or an iffy CD-ROM? Try getting a known good live cd and see if it'll boot. If it still doesn't boot, might very well be a bad drive. If it does, the Linux Format Disc is probably bad, it happens. I have a M51 at work that has been running Suse 10.0 on it since the day it was released without any problems at all. I believe most of the M51's are probably SATA Hard Drives.

Hope that helps

I suspect that the issue may be with the Live CD. When you burn it, you have to burn it as an Image... just doing a standard 'drag and drop' to do the burn won't give you a bootable CD

Hi all

Thanks for your suggestions. I have changed the drive. I now know the drive works.

I have tried various disks (these are all disks issued by the magazine Linux Format and all seem to work in other machines)

I have come to the conclusion that the problem lies in the BIOS. When you enter Setup to change the boot sequence you are able to select the IDE drive as Primary. However, further down the screen there is a list of devices which are excluded from the boot sequence, one of which is "all IDE CD ". So far I haven't found a way of removing this exclusion. Until I do I doubt I will even be able to re-install the filthy XP.

Have you looked for a BIOS update?

Hi Cliff

I haven't but it's a jolly good idea. Thanks

Tony

You might try this, it works on my laptop that is about the same vintage, as the M51 is. If the cd/dvd is listed in the list that is not in the boot order, see if you can go down to that list, if you can, hilite the cd/dvd and punch the x key to move it back to the top.

Jim

If the M51 (Thinkcentre?) BIOS is anything like the Thinkpad then from the BIOS main screen> Startup>Boot from where you assign the Boot Priority order using F5/F6 keys; the "excluded" list can be added removed by selecting those items & use the <x> key - full instructions appear down the RHS of the BIOS screen (at least they do on the TP !!)

Then remember to do F10 (should be the same) to save your changes

IG