[SOLVED] usb stick loaded with ubuntu will run on macbook but not on toshiba satellite pro

Roger Long · 02-21-2021, 11:40 AM

I am a total linux newbie. I have Ubuntu downloaded and the iso file unpacked and on a usb stick. On my mac book running oS X Maverick i can boot from it and it runs perfectly. On my Toshiba satellite pro,running windows 7, it does not boot.

I have changed the boot order in the bios and have changed the boot speed from fast to normal.Literally the stick lights as if is being read and a cursor appears in the top right corner of the screen but nothing else.

I assume the fact the stick works on the mac means that the software is ok so i am thinking it has to be something to do the bios.Any ideas would greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Brains · 02-22-2021, 01:05 AM

How did you write the ISO to the USB?
A great Windows tool called Rufus does a great job of ensuring it will boot on just about anything. Just select the USB drive, select the ISO and go with defaults after that.
Another thing, many Windows 7 machines are 32bit, your Ubuntu is 64bit?

yancek · 02-22-2021, 05:39 AM

Knowing the method you used to put Ubuntu on the USB as asked above would be useful information. Are both machines UEFI capable?

Roger Long · 02-22-2021, 06:52 AM

ok guys, thanks for the suggestions. I used rufus as it appears to be the package mentioned regularly.I am pretty sure the Toshiba is not EUFI capable, as I said initially I did change some BIOS settings as suggested in other threads. The Toshiba is a 64 bit machine with 4 gb RAM and Intel Celeron B800@ 1.50 GHz.
Thanks

vasilis74 · 02-22-2021, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roger Long

a cursor appears in the top right corner of the screen but nothing else.

Probably the driver for the Toshiba graphics card is not included in the ISO, if it is an old laptop. Maybe you can examine that if you boot the ISO in another machine with newer graphics card, and search in Synaptic Package Manager for the Toshiba's driver.
But I wonder also: Are Ubuntu ISOs the same for Mac and PC these days? Previous versions had different ISOs.

Bonzoo · 02-22-2021, 12:12 PM

Satellite ? boot to "safe graphics"

HappyTux · 02-22-2021, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vasilis74

Probably the driver for the Toshiba graphics card is not included in the ISO, if it is an old laptop. Maybe you can examine that if you boot the ISO in another machine with newer graphics card, and search in Synaptic Package Manager for the Toshiba's driver.
But I wonder also: Are Ubuntu ISOs the same for Mac and PC these days? Previous versions had different ISOs.

Exactly what I was thinking too, the old builds for Mac were for those machines only due to the Apple garbage they had to overcome to boot.

Roger Long · 02-25-2021, 06:05 AM

Many thanks for all the input. It turns out that my Toshiba just did not like installing from the flash drive for some bizarre reason. Searching the internet I cam across people who had similar problems with different OS when trying to install via Flash drive on similar machines. Anyway, long story short, burnt Ubuntu to optical disk and hey presto, loaded up straight away as a live version anyway. Happy days! Now to configure it as a dual boot or get all the stuff I need to copy sorted out and ditch Microsoft.