LinuxQuestions.org
Visit Jeremy's Blog.
Go Back   LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Laptop and Netbook
User Name
Password
Linux - Laptop and Netbook Having a problem installing or configuring Linux on your laptop? Need help running Linux on your netbook? This forum is for you. This forum is for any topics relating to Linux and either traditional laptops or netbooks (such as the Asus EEE PC, Everex CloudBook or MSI Wind).

Notices


Reply
  Search this Thread
Old 11-01-2007, 11:20 AM   #1
akberztech@yahoo.com
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Nov 2007
Posts: 5

Rep: Reputation: 0
Help with Freespire Install


I have a Dell Latitude CP, 128mb RAM, 60GB HD[yep, I upgraded it myself], latest BIOS, no NIC[PCcard or USB]. I was able to get Mandriva to install ok, and could not get it to run fast. I also clean installed Knoppix 3 [STD version] and it ran ok, unable to find drivers for sound. I DL'd Freespire lastnite, and burned the ISO to CD, and attempted to clean install it to the laptop, but I got an error, I will have to post the error description later as I am at werk now and I can't remember the error off hand. I am wondering if there is anyone who can help me with the install.

Thanks to All who try.

I do NOT want to go back to W98 because graphics handling for Wincrash 98 is unacceptably lousy. Plus the partition horrors using the FAT32 FS is horrible as well. Also I am hoping to change the 60GB HDD to an 8gb SSD so I need a LINUX OS that supports the old systems.
 
Old 11-03-2007, 07:23 AM   #2
dhulme
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Sep 2006
Distribution: Kubuntu 7.10
Posts: 15

Rep: Reputation: 0
A couple of my friends have experienced problems like you mention. The most likely thing would be an incorrect burn, or a corruption in the file. I would recommend you burn the disc again, and if possible redownload the iso image

Last edited by dhulme; 11-01-2010 at 12:19 PM.
 
Old 11-04-2007, 10:07 AM   #3
akberztech@yahoo.com
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Nov 2007
Posts: 5

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 0
Thanks Dhulme, I have the error:
[ 147.803000] Buffer I/O error on device fd0, logical block 0
I waited for about 10 min, and then the screen blanked out, came back, and it started to install with a whole bunch of messages, I had to resort to installing CentOS, which was successful[3hrs to install???]

Are all linux Distros supposed to take a long time on legacy systems? This DELL LAT CP has the latest BIOS update, and this may seem confusing, but that is because I am new to LINUX after being a Windows fed user.

Also related to Freespire, an issue I am having with the neomagic 128 drivers, the display maximum is 800x600 but the display is stretched, and it looks a whole lot WORSE than when I used Knoppix with the cmd
fb800x600[the display is NOT STRETCHED...]

Is there a way to have neomagic come up 800x600 NOT STRETCHED
 
Old 11-04-2007, 11:15 AM   #4
akberztech@yahoo.com
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Nov 2007
Posts: 5

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 0
OK, it installed in 45mins...

Took 45minutes to install, firstboot login, then kdesktop filessystem crashed and system locked up. Force off, rebooted system, System ok after logon for 1sec, after taskbar appeared then taskbar disappeared and system locked up again. Ooooooh this is so frustrating. I don't have any peripherals attached to the PCMCIA or USB port...
Forced off again, rebooted system, logon successful, Knotify Problem message[During the previous startup, Knotify crashed while instantiating Knotify. Do you want to try again or Disable aRts sound output? Again locked up, trying to wait it out for around 5min. if not successful will force off/reboot again. Uff, there has to be a better way to do this...
 
Old 11-06-2007, 03:04 PM   #5
dhulme
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Sep 2006
Distribution: Kubuntu 7.10
Posts: 15

Rep: Reputation: 0
I'm sorry but I don't know enough about linux to help you solve your problem, my only guess is that there's something wrong with your hardware, if you havn't already check the os website for supported hardware, and after that i don't know what to do. Sorry I can't be of more assistance, dhulme.
 
Old 11-06-2007, 04:23 PM   #6
AceofSpades19
Senior Member
 
Registered: Feb 2007
Location: Chilliwack,BC.Canada
Distribution: Slackware64 -current
Posts: 2,079

Rep: Reputation: 58
It would help if you posted the specs for the computer
 
Old 11-07-2007, 03:46 PM   #7
akberztech@yahoo.com
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Nov 2007
Posts: 5

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 0
It's a very sad case, Microsoft WXP works fine on the DELL Lat CP, a little bit slow. But since I was going to stay with LINUX DISTROS for the old laptop, the only things which worked were KNOPPIX and DSL using fb[width]x[height]. The Framebuffer driver in all the other DISTROs do not work, and the Neomagic Driver that installs is the 128XD version[which unsuccessfully stretches the display into Windows Ugliness].
Further evaluation suggests that Windows reports the device using Neomagic 128ZV, without stretch. I have partitioned the Drive now for 20GB[WXPHOMESP2] and I am hesitant to install on the remaining partition any Linux Distro. I need to know how to get the neomagic driver NOT to stretch the display...
Again the SPECs of this laptop:
Pentium 2 MMX[233Mhz]
128mb RAM
60gb HDD
1 USB/2PCMCIA slots
No periphery attached to the USB/PCMCIA until after I can certify a correct Linux Distro Install.

One more thing, KNoppix and DSL Distros load up ok, I can't figure out HOW to install peripheral Drivers in LINUX, and some of my NICs don't have support for LINUX.
Thanks for helping guys/gals.
Akber
 
Old 11-07-2007, 06:52 PM   #8
AceofSpades19
Senior Member
 
Registered: Feb 2007
Location: Chilliwack,BC.Canada
Distribution: Slackware64 -current
Posts: 2,079

Rep: Reputation: 58
Have you tried Ubuntu or PCLinuxOS?
You can google how to install certain peripherals in Linux, there is no general rule
 
  


Reply

Tags
cp, dell, latitude


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off



Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
PCLinux and Freespire won't install! Ryupower Linux - General 3 11-07-2007 04:24 PM
SMC Nic install on Freespire CobaltCry Linux - Networking 0 06-14-2007 12:36 AM
Freespire 1.0.13 Install Issues mysticpain Linspire/Freespire 1 03-12-2007 07:45 PM
Freespire made it so i can not install other OSs... help lleb Linux - Software 3 09-02-2006 02:49 PM
install kernel sources in freespire 1.0 george2m Linspire/Freespire 1 08-24-2006 12:05 PM

LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Laptop and Netbook

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:06 PM.

Main Menu
Advertisement
My LQ
Write for LQ
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute content, let us know.
Main Menu
Syndicate
RSS1  Latest Threads
RSS1  LQ News
Twitter: @linuxquestions
Open Source Consulting | Domain Registration