Hi I think this is the right forum. I have downloaded and burnt 3 different versions of puppy, 2 versions of vector, 1 ubuntu, 1 arch and done all the checks (md5) and cd check (ubuntu) and I just can't seem to get anything to install.

I have an asus a3n laptop and the built in cdrom is broken, I have a usb cdrom (Vendor: LITE-ON Model: DVDRW SHW-160P6S REV: PS09 TYPE: CDROM ANSI SCSI revision: 02)

I got that info from the control center (I am running Xandros 3.0.2 oc)

The really weird thing is that I reinstalled Xandros from this usb dvdrom but for example with Vector linux I get "Error Error I could not find the install media on the hard disk or the cdrom as well."

Does anyone know how I can resolve this problem?

I am really very excited about trying these other distros and would like to dual boot, but if I can't install them that's gonna be difficult.

Linux needs the required modules for your USB hardware to work which it does not from the CD. I suggest replace the CD-ROM drive or re-do the installation disc to have the required modules to load. Another way to install Linux, carefully disconnect the hard drive and use a 44-pin to 40-pin adaptor. Though some recent notebooks are comming with SATA hard drives which makes it easier.

I suggest replace the CD-ROM drive or re-do the installation disc to have the required modules to load.


Ok I know my status says member now and not newbie...lol...but I'm definatly still a noob.....How do i re-do the installation disk? I have tried booting the install disk then entering the command "insmod=usb-storage" as I read somewhere that should work, but it didn't for me.

Any help is appreciated.
Thanks

Ok I have now tried linspire, puppy 3x, ubuntu 2x, vector 2x, arch, and each time I try to install I get an error that says the cdrom media cannot be found. The closest I have come to installing is with ubuntu, I have tried the standard cd as well as the alternate cd and with the alternate cd I get everything partitioned and formatted and even loading most of the programs but when I am nearly finished and it says preparing ubuntu desktop the screen goes black and thats it. Any help resolving this issue would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.