I can't seem to get the Linux Mint to work on my desktop computer

Newbie_2_Linux · 04-12-2013, 04:26 PM

Hello to all. My Name is Ray and I am a new user to Linux. I have run Ubuntu 7.10 before but I took it off for some reason. I don't remember why. Anyway, I'm back to trying Linux o/s. I downloaded the .iso file in both 32 bit and 64 bit. I burned both dvd's. The 64 bit works great on my laptop but the 32 bit won't work on my desktop running win xp home. It tries to boot. I get a reference to Linus Mint but from that point on it gets bound up. There seems to be an error screen that comes up but since I don't understand the gibberish I don't know what it's trying to tell me. That screen does go away after a while and it goes through a series of screen blips that have a mouse pointer that is active but after a while I end up with a white screen with the same mouse pointer in the middle of the screen and it is no longer active. From that point, nothing happens. I let the machine sit overnight with that screen thinking that maybe it was doing something behind the scenes and I just wasn't aware of it. But, alas, no such luck. I have tried this more than once with multiple burnings of the dvd. I have burned the dvd with the slowest speed possible and verified the burn. So, what have I missed? Can any of you more learned folks give me a hand here. I'd sure appreciate. Try to keep it simple as I am 70 years old today and just want to learn something new. Thanks,

Ray

ButterflyMelissa · 04-12-2013, 04:39 PM

Hey there!

Quote:

Try to keep it simple as I am 70 years old today and just want to learn something new. Thanks,

Well, congrats are in order!!!!!!!!!!!! Both on your birthday and on your choice of Linux.

Okay, let's dissect this gorgon

could you do some extra steps? Maybe we can start off by at least turning on the light so to speak. Let's get a live CD on the box and let it spin up with that. Two choices (there's lots more, this is the great thing about Linux) there's Slax, and MacPup, the first cannot be installed, it's meant to stay on the CDrom, the latter can be installed, but is somewhat of an exotic beast, but...it detects your box down to the nuts-n-bolts...dont stand too close, it may even detect your shoe size

Okay, once on a disk, insert it into the PC and (re)start it , let the spin come to life...once there, we'll take a look at the hardware you've got there...maybe (just maybe) a more suitable distro is in order...

I'd love to follow this thread, it you dont mind, and throw in my two odd cents...

Welcome to the forum!!!!

Thor

Newbie_2_Linux · 04-12-2013, 04:46 PM

Hi Thor and thanks. So, what exactly are you trying to tell me. Should I give up on the Linux Mint install and try something else? Please, let's try this really slowly. Right now I'm doing a repair of the xp installation just to be sure that everything is ok there. Ever since I originally installed ubuntu 7 I have had a dual boot menu that offers me either win xp or ubuntu. Even after removing the ubuntu and it's partition I still have that offering. I don't know how to correct that. Anyway, I have been trying to install either a later version of ubuntu or another of the linux offerings. That's how I came to try Mint. Just for giggles I did try re-installing the old ubuntu 7 that I have and it installed and seemed to work fine. It did a partition thing though and I'm just wondering if that might be where my problem is coming in. I sort of get lost when I get in over my head but that's what makes it all interesting. I DO want to keep learning this stuff. I don't want the GRAY matter to build up any faster that it already is. So, with all that said, are you ready to get involved with my dilemma?

Ray

rokytnji · 04-12-2013, 04:48 PM

Howdy and Welcome from me also. To help elaborate on what Thor said. Always do a md5sum check of a downloaded iso before burning it to dvd or cd to avoid headaches later.

Newbie_2_Linux · 04-12-2013, 04:53 PM

Can you explain how to go about doing that md5checksum? I know I did it years ago with my earlier experience with ubuntu but I can't for the life of me remember what or how. Thanks,

ray

Newbie_2_Linux · 04-12-2013, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newbie_2_Linux

Can you explain how to go about doing that md5checksum? I know I did it years ago with my earlier experience with ubuntu but I can't for the life of me remember what or how. Thanks,

ray

oops, that's the trouble with getting old. You miss stuff. After I posted this the first time, I realize that there was a clickable link in your post. So, please, disregard. I'll go there and read about it.

Ray

ButterflyMelissa · 04-12-2013, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Should I give up on the Linux Mint install and try something else?

Naaahhhh...but, as rokytnji hinted: the toaster may have missed some bits

Okay, let's see, where to begin. When you download a file, there is a way to check if that file is the real McCoy...that's the MD5 check...this is a page with a tutorial...

Okay, once the file checks out okay, you'd burn it on a disk...

My concern was the age of the box. For example, my current box is (ask around

) ... ancient, to be polite...so, there's some stuff I cannot run...maybe this is the same there...

Quote:

are you ready to get involved with my dilemma?

We're game! Let's follow this yellow brick road...without the singing...

Thor
Edit - it's beyond the ghostly hour here...I have to get a recharge

I'll enjoy helping you thu!!!!

Newbie_2_Linux · 04-12-2013, 05:13 PM

Ok folks, I did the MD5 thing and the file checks out good.

R

rokytnji · 04-12-2013, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newbie_2_Linux

Ok folks, I did the MD5 thing and the file checks out good.

R

Ok, proceed with thors recommendation about downloading macpup,
Do a md5sum check of it also. Boot as a live cd.

There are 2 reasons I am suggesting this. One. I am a MacPup team member, a biker (motorcycle ethusiast for more gentile folk).
Two. I have MacPUP running on one of my motorcyce desktop computers and can coach on how to show machine stats in MacPup (when Needed).

So I am biased. So sue me.

This way we can be sure you have the machine specs to run Mint like I have on this laptop I got lucky picking up from a rental agency on the cheap, ($199.00).

Code:

~ $ inxi -Fxz
System:    Host: biker Kernel: 3.5.0-17-generic x86_64 (64 bit, gcc: 4.7.2) Desktop: MATE 1.4.2  Distro: Linux Mint 14 Nadia
Machine:   Mobo: SAMSUNG model: RV410/RV510/S3510/E3510 Bios: Phoenix version: 02UC.P026.20100916.LX date: 09/16/2010
CPU:       Dual core Pentium CPU T4500 (-MCP-) cache: 1024 KB flags: (lm nx sse sse2 sse3 ssse3) bmips: 9176.76 
           Clock Speeds: 1: 1200.00 MHz 2: 1200.00 MHz
Graphics:  Card: Intel Mobile 4 Series Integrated Graphics Controller bus-ID: 00:02.0 
           X.Org: 1.13.0 drivers: intel (unloaded: fbdev,vesa) Resolution: 1366x768@60.0hz 
           GLX Renderer: Mesa DRI Mobile Intel GM45 Express GLX Version: 2.1 Mesa 9.0.3 Direct Rendering: Yes
Audio:     Card: Intel 82801I (ICH9 Family) HD Audio Controller driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:1b.0 
           Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture ver: 1.0.25
Network:   Card-1: Atheros AR9285 Wireless Network Adapter (PCI-Express) driver: ath9k bus-ID: 06:00.0
           IF: wlan0 state: up mac: <filter>
           Card-2: Marvell 88E8040 PCI-E Fast Ethernet Controller driver: sky2 ver: 1.30 port: 3000 bus-ID: 04:00.0
           IF: eth0 state: down mac: <filter>
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 320.1GB (1.9% used) 1: id: /dev/sda model: SAMSUNG_HM321HI size: 320.1GB 
Partition: ID: / size: 18G used: 4.0G (25%) fs: ext4 ID: /home size: 163G used: 1.7G (2%) fs: btrfs 
           ID: swap-1 size: 4.19GB used: 0.00GB (0%) fs: swap 
RAID:      No RAID devices detected - /proc/mdstat and md_mod kernel raid module present
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 41.0C mobo: 41.0C 
           Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: N/A 
Info:      Processes: 160 Uptime: 6:07 Memory: 584.3/3887.8MB Runlevel: 2 Gcc sys: 4.7.2 
           Client: Shell (bash 4.2.37) inxi: 1.8.45

Edit: OK 3 reasons. If I remember correctly. Thor is a kick ass Puppy user also.

Newbie_2_Linux · 04-12-2013, 06:13 PM

Ok, I'll get after it and let you know how it goes. Back in a while,.

Ray

Newbie_2_Linux · 04-12-2013, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newbie_2_Linux

Ok, I'll get after it and let you know how it goes. Back in a while,.

Ray

I burned a dvd and am installing it now. Seems to be going ok. What should I look out for.

R

Newbie_2_Linux · 04-12-2013, 06:31 PM

It seems that I have installed Macpup. I have been fiddling with setting up an internet connection and I think I have it. Not sure yet. Anyway, I'm ready and waiting for your next instruction KemoSabe.

Ray

rokytnji · 04-12-2013, 06:49 PM

Open a terminal (Roxterm in the pretty taskbar) and copy and paste this in there

Code:

cd /usr/local/bin && wget -Nc smxi.org/inxi && chmod +x inxi

Hit enter, since you have a internet connection going. It will download and install the inxi
information script I am partial to.

Then when it is done installing. Next type in terminal.

Code:

inxi -Fxz

I stepped out to my shop figuring you would be be waitng

Code:

sh-3.00# inxi -Fxz
System:    Host: puppypc293 Kernel: 3.2.18 i686 (32 bit, gcc: 4.6.3) 
           Desktop: Enlightenment 0.16.999.71440 Distro: macpup Linux
Linux 3.2.18 [i686 arch]
Machine:   System: IBM product: 679421U
           Mobo: IBM model: IBM Bios: IBM version: 20KT46AUS date: 06/04/2004
CPU:       Single core (Intel Pentium 4 CPU,1793.947,256 KB,fpu vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic sep mtrr pge mca cmov pat pse36 clflush dts acpi mmx fxsr sse sse2 ss ht tm up pebs bts,3589.38,intel) (-UP-) cache: unknown  flags: (-) bmips: Not Available clocked at  MHz 
Graphics:  Card: NVIDIA NV6 [Vanta/Vanta LT] bus-ID: 01:00.0 
           X.org: 1.11.3 driver: vesa tty size: 80x24 Advanced Data: N/A for root 
Audio:     Card: Intel 82801BA/BAM AC'97 Audio Controller driver: snd_intel8x0 ports: 1c00 1840 bus-ID: 00:1f.5 
           Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture ver: 1.0.24
Network:   Card-1: Intel 82801BA/BAM/CA/CAM Ethernet Controller driver: e100 ver: 3.5.24-k2-NAPI port: 2000 bus-ID: 02:08.0
           IF: eth0 state: down mac: <filter>
           Card-2: Realtek RTL8187B Wireless 802.11g 54Mbps Network Adapter usb-ID: 001-002
           IF: N/A state: N/A mac: N/A
Drives:    HDD Total Size: (100.1GB,2.8% used) () 1: id: /dev/sda model: SAMSUNG_SV6003H size: 60.1GB temp: 0C 
           2: id: /dev/sdb model: IC35L040AVVA07 size: 40.0GB temp: 34C 
Partition: ID: swap-1 size: 0.81GB used: 0.00GB (0%) fs: swap ID: swap-2 size: 1.17GB used: 0.00GB (0%) fs: swap 
RAID:      No RAID devices detected - /proc/mdstat and md_mod kernel raid module present
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 32.0C mobo: N/A 
           Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: N/A 
Info:      Processes: 64 Uptime: 34 min Memory: 254.4/1136.1MB Runlevel: 5 Gcc sys: N/A Client: Shell inxi: 1.8.20 
sh-3.00#

I gotta go eat. The wife is yelling at me. See ya tomorrow.

Newbie_2_Linux · 04-12-2013, 07:33 PM

I did as you said but I got a message that says "Resolving sxmi.orginxi (smni.orginxi)...failed: Name or service not known.
wget: unable to resolve host address sxmi.orginxi' "

I'm not sure of what all that means but I have a feeling that I don't have the internet connection configured correctly. I'll keep fiddling with it. Thanks for your help. Have a nice evening.

Ray

edit,, Ok, I went back and rebooted and set up my connection again. I entered the code that you gave me and got all the feedback that you listed. All seems to be good now. Awaiting your return.

Ray

rokytnji · 04-13-2013, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Ok, I went back and rebooted and set up my connection again. I entered the code that you gave me and got all the feedback that you listed. All seems to be good now. Awaiting your return.

Ray

Good Morning. Post the results inxi gave you (just copy and paste from rox terminal) and put it in your next post.