I have an old Toshiba Satellite AS55-S106(100GB HD, 1GB RAM, Celeron M 360 1.4 GHz) and can not install the Ubuntu 10.04 because the DVD spins down. I can install the Ubuntu 9.10 and Open SUSE 11.3 with no problem. Is there a way to keep the DVD from spinning down or a different way I could install the OS onto the computer. I have tried to install it using a USB, but the Toshiba won't boot from a USB. Also how can I get into the BIOS for this computer because when booting up I have pressed all the F keys to enter into the BIOS, but it will only allow me to select (F12) a drive to boot from, and USB is not on the list of booting. I think if I can get the Toshiba to boot from the USB I could install the OS Ubuntu 10.04 that way with no problem or if someone might have a better way let me know.

Have you tried passing any boot options when booting from the installation CD? See:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Bo...Boot%20Options

In particular, hit F6 when the install cd first starts booting and select "acpi=off" "noapic" and "nolapic".

Nothing at POST...

Is there no direction for which key to press to enter Setup when the system POSTs(the first screen)? Did you try "Del" or "Esc"? I also found this.
I didn't find an AS55-S106, but an A55-S106 on the toshiba support site. Is it the one? If so, and you still have or can put a Windows or perhaps DOS/FreeDOS operating system on it, there is a firmware update for the DVD drive that might help in your problem with drive performance.

http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/t...ily=1073768663

I think the bios setup key for older toshiba's was either F1 or Esc.