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Old 12-29-2007, 03:41 PM   #1
ric972
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Registered: Dec 2007
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can't install any linux distro on my new PC .help


hello,
first of all, excuse my english level, i'm French.

This is my config:
- Rivertech motherboard
- amd 64x2 6000+
- HDD 320 Go sata
- ati HD 2600 pro
- Vista premium
- 2Go Ram

I got a big problem: i can't install any linux distro (i tried Mandriva 2008, opensuse 10.3 & fedora 7)
- fedora 7 doesn't start, even in safe mode.
- mandriva & opensuse start, install themselves but after installation (i.e, after the first initialization) they freeze. opensuse seems to have a pb with alsa, but mandriva found a problem with some ubs devices (which?)
i would point out the fact that mandirva & opensuse install is only possible in safe mode or with "no acpi" option.
could someone help me please? thx
 
Old 12-29-2007, 04:21 PM   #2
pentode
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I would suggest trying a Live CD such as Knoppix or something similar. Most distributions offer a CD iso that will allow you to boot up the computer in Linux running from the CD-ROM without changing anything on your computer.

You need to make sure the BIOS is configured to boot up first on a bootable CD if found.

This will allow you to troubleshoot any hardware compatibility issues before you actually install Linux.
 
Old 12-29-2007, 04:38 PM   #3
Doug52392
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Did you download the x64 or x86_64 versions? Exactly what model computer is it?
 
Old 12-29-2007, 04:56 PM   #4
MoonMind
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I think (but it's only a hunch) that we're facing a "simple" architecture problem here: You'll have to use a 64bit kernel, and in order to get there, I think with such as system, you'll have to already start out with the correct installation images. Try to get your hands on X86_64 (or similar) images of the systems in question, that might help.

Also, since the system's that recent, there might(!) be some hardware compatibility problems that are unsolveable as of yet, but without further research, that can't be determined - and frankly, I doubt it. I suggest using a good live CD (like pentode - but try to find and use a 64bit one - there's a lot of them out there; I personally prefer Finnix, but that comes without a GUI). If you get one running, try lspci on a terminal and look at the output - very much simplified, every time the word "unknown" shows up is bad news. You can also compare what you see to what you know about your actual hardware.

But all in all, I think choosing the right architecture for your kernel will help a great deal.

M.

Edit: Simultaneous posting - sorry, Doug, but it's good to really double up, isn't it?

Last edited by MoonMind; 12-30-2007 at 04:26 AM.
 
Old 12-30-2007, 12:31 AM   #5
Nylex
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You don't necessarily need to install a 64-bit OS just because you have a 64-bit CPU. Those CPUs can run 32-bit software as well.
 
Old 12-30-2007, 04:40 AM   #6
MoonMind
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Nylex is right - sorry for any inconvenience caused by my mistake. Using a *very recent* kernel is certainly more helpful; the X86_64 kernels (or the amd64 ones) may work more efficiently with your CPU but won't solve all problems. Anyhow, since you tried out the latest OpenSUSE (did you try Fedora Core 8?), I'd say there might be some problem with basic hardware recognition (the problems with ALSA and USB point in that direction) - thus, lspci (a list of basic hardware) could tell us more, along with dmesg (a display of boot messages). Look for errors or the word "unknown" in the output of the two commands (you can use "| grep [word]" to look for specific messages"). I'm still recommending using something like Finnix to get to the bottom of this.

M.
 
Old 12-30-2007, 07:47 AM   #7
masonm
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Impossible to say without some specific error messages. There are obviously some hardware issues, but without knowing specific details it's impossible to say.

I agree with the suggestion of using a LiveCD to help diagnose the issues.
 
Old 12-31-2007, 06:35 AM   #8
ric972
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thx

hello,

thank you all for your help.i've downloaded the finnix iso. it works on my PC.
the x64 kernel of finnix start with no problem. i'll now learn how to use finnix.

Thx
 
Old 12-31-2007, 08:20 AM   #9
wraithe
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just a last note,
x86 instruction sets are standard in all 64 bit processors....
the 64 bit instructions are an added feature of the 64 bit processors and are the now instructions in amd processors, if you are using an amd processor to use 64 bit apps then it will work fine and allow that kind of processing, if your using 64 bit because you have 64 bit cpu but not specific apps for it to use then you may find yourself being limited because of the lack of 64bit support in some situations....
I use 32 bit kernels on my amd as it allows me to use all 32 bit apps...
I only use 64 bit kernels when i use boinc, as i can use the cpu fully then...
 
Old 01-01-2008, 03:50 PM   #10
MoonMind
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ric972:

Finnix is for testing purposes only. If it works without a hitch, we're closer to the problem itself - since Finnix comes without a GUI, the problem might have something to do with X (GNU/Linux window system) - maybe your graphics adapter (video card) isn't supported yet or not fully supported, so you need to make some adjustments.

Learning to use Finnix will prove useful all the same - it's a great little command line distro that is really versatile, but it's not for everyday use, let alone desktop use. Now the outputs of lspci and dmesg would be helpful - or maybe trying out something very much on the bleeding edge, like sidux or Zenwalk 5.0 Beta...

btw. sidux has a very well established 64bit version - even if it's not really needed and I tend to recommend the 32bit versions for the exact reasons wraithe stated (friends of mine had a couple of software issues on 64bit systems/kernels). I personally use mostly pretty old machines - no 64bit here, that's why I'm less familiar with the exact inner workings of those kernels. Thanks for all the useful information on my part!

M.
 
  


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