Can't boot with LiveCDs...

jim_d · 09-16-2016, 03:51 PM

On a Dell Optiplex 390 running Windows 10, I can't seem to boot using these LiveCDs:

SimplyMepis 8.5.03
get msg "Can't find MEPIS filesystem, sorry. Dropping you to a (very limited) shell. Press reset button to quit."

Ubuntu 10.04
get msg: "Uncompression error. System halted."

Ubuntu 9.10
get msg: "Unable to find a medium containing a live file system."

Linux Mint9
nothing happens

Any tips? Thanks!

michaelk · 09-16-2016, 04:36 PM

Try with a current version of Ubuntu or Mint. Anything that old probably does not have support for SATA so fails when the initramfs tries to find the liveCD. Can not tell what happened to Ubuntu 10.

DavidMcCann · 09-17-2016, 10:54 AM

Different problems in each case, and in the first three the OS has actually loaded, or where would the error message come from? — to me that sounds like a recurrent disk-burning problem. Try creating a disk with a different tool, or at least making sure you burn at the minimum possible speed.

rokytnji · 09-17-2016, 11:12 AM

It helps when you post a link to your computer specs when you have a problem booting Linux cds.

http://www.alphr.com/dell/dell-optip...lex-390-review

Don't expect members members to know what a Dell Optiplex 390 is and what it has inside.

The distros you are booting are too old vs the hardware you are trying to boot on. So what michaelk said applies here.

jim_d · 09-17-2016, 12:24 PM

Thanks to all for replies--

Was wondering if these versions were simply too old--they're from OSdisc.com, so discs are probably good, but not for this PC HW.

Will order latest version of Mint.

Thanks again--

Emerson · 09-17-2016, 12:36 PM

You can download it now, if you do not have a CD burner you can put it on a USB thumbdrive.

jefro · 09-17-2016, 02:48 PM

When you burn a linux cd/dvd, use the very slowest speed also.

As michaelk points out suspect hardware support.
Pretty sure the place to start is by using a current distro. See www.distrowatch.com for some modern choices.

Describe this computer would also help.

michaelk · 09-17-2016, 03:45 PM

I believe the default configuration is an I3 with 4GB RAM.

jefro · 09-17-2016, 07:39 PM

Dunno. Maybe.