2 questions really:
1) The download section of this site talks about comparing the MD5 checksum from your download and compare it against the checksum on the website you are downloading from. The problem I'm finding is that there is no MD5 checksums listed on the ftp sites that I am using to download ubuntu. Is there a specific place I should look or another way to verify my download is good?
2) Also, I keep getting write errors when I try to copy the ISO image to disk using Nero. There's a section on this site on Nero, but I have searched it, the Nero help file, and the Nero website and cannot find the problem. Is this a bad download or something else?

Mike

There is usually a file on the Ubuntu FTP mirrors called MD5SUMS. In there. you can find the checksums.
In Nero, you should choose the option to "burn the image to disk" - not "create a new data disk". Don't remember the exact labels, but that's the idea. Though I am not sure, I believe that Nero can calculate the checksum - otherwise, you can find a program for it here.

OK, I found the checksum and verified that my download is correct. I am still having problems writing the image to disk. I use the "burn image" function and get the following:
1502-4140-1176-0480-1072-6221*

Windows XP 5.1
IA32
WinAspi: File 'Wnaspi32.dll': Ver=4.57 (1008), size=48128 bytes, created 12/22/1997 5:23:24 PM
ahead WinASPI: File 'D:\Program Files\Ahead\Nero\Wnaspi32.dll': Ver=2.0.1.59, size=160016 bytes, created 1/29/2003 12:37:36 PM
Nero Version: 5.5.10.25
Recorder: <SAMSUNG CD-R/RW SW-252F> Version: R801 - HA 1 TA 0 - 5.5.10.25
Adapter driver: <atapi> HA 1
Drive buffer : 2048kB
Bus Type : default (0) -> ATAPI, detected: ATAPI
CD-ROM: <SAMSUNG DVD-ROM SD-616> Version: bp06 - HA 1 TA 1 - 5.5.10.25
Adapter driver: <atapi> HA 1
Bus Type : default (0) -> ATAPI, detected: ATAPI

=== Scsi-Device-Map ===
DiskPeripheral : WDC WD800BB-00CAA0 atapi Port 0 ID 0 DMA: On
DiskPeripheral : WDC WD400BB-75AUA1 atapi Port 0 ID 1 DMA: On
CdRomPeripheral : SAMSUNG CD-R/RW SW-252F atapi Port 1 ID 0 DMA: On
CdRomPeripheral : SAMSUNG DVD-ROM SD-616 atapi Port 1 ID 1 DMA: On
=======================

AutoRun : 1
Excluded drive IDs:
CmdQueuing : 1
CmdNotification: 2
WriteBufferSize: 57671680 (0) Byte
ShowDrvBufStat : 0
EraseSpeed : 0
BUFE : 0
Physical memory : 383MB (392268kB)
Free physical memory: 121MB (123984kB)
Memory in use : 68 %
Uncached PFiles: 0x0
Use Static Write Speed Table: 0
Use Inquiry : 1
Global Bus Type: default (0)
Check supported media : Enabled (1)
Wizard: Off

28.12.2004
CD Image
4:33:41 PM #1 Phase 88 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1655
ExacLink activated

4:33:41 PM #2 Text 0 File Reader.cpp, Line 115
Reader running

4:33:41 PM #3 Text 0 File Writer.cpp, Line 125
Writer SAMSUNG CD-R/RW SW-252F running

4:33:42 PM #4 Text 0 File Burncd.cpp, Line 3731
Turn on Track-At-Once, using CD-R/RW media

4:33:42 PM #5 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 672
Setup items (original item values)
0: TRM_DATA_MODE1 (Joliet)
2 indices, index0 (150) not provided
original CD pos #0 + 267664 (267664) = #267664/59:28.64
relocatable, CD pos for caching/writing not required/not required, patch infos
--------------------------------------------------------------

4:33:45 PM #6 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 216
Last possible write address on media: 359848 (79:59.73)
Last address to be written: 267663 (59:30.63)

4:33:45 PM #7 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 221
Write in overburning mode: FALSE

4:33:45 PM #8 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 1660
Recorder: SAMSUNG CD-R/RW SW-252F;
CDRW code: 00 97 25 30; OSJ entry from: INFODISC Technology Co., Ltd.
ATIP Data:
Special Info [hex] 1: D1 00 C6, 2: 61 19 1E (LI 97:25.30), 3: 4F 3B 4A (LO 79:59.74)
Additional Info [hex] 1: 02 4C B0, 2: 5C D8 36, 3: 00 00 00 (invalid)

4:33:45 PM #9 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 824
Prepare recorder SAMSUNG CD-R/RW SW-252F for write in TAO
DAO infos:
==========
MCN:
TOCTYPE: 0x0 Session Closed, CD fixated
Tracks 1 to 1:
TRM_DATA_MODE1, 2048/0x0, ISRC "", FilePos 0 307200 548483072

4:33:45 PM #10 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 852
Removed 2 run-out blocks from end of track 1.

4:33:45 PM #11 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 672
Setup items (after recorder preparation)
0: TRM_DATA_MODE1 (Joliet)
2 indices, index0 (150) not provided
original CD pos #0 + 267664 (267664) = #267664/59:28.64
relocatable, CD pos for caching/writing not required/not required, patch infos
-> TRM_DATA_MODE1, 2048, config 0, wanted index0 0 blocks, length 267662 blocks [SAMSUNG CD-R/RW SW-252F ]
--------------------------------------------------------------

4:33:45 PM #12 Phase 36 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1655
Burn process started at 4x (600 KB/s)

4:33:45 PM #13 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 1978
Verifying CD position of item 0 (relocatable, no CD pos, patch infos, orig at #0): write at #0

4:33:45 PM #14 Text 0 File Mmc.cpp, Line 17841
Set BUFE: ExacLink -> ON

4:34:21 PM #15 SCSI -1135 File Cdrdrv.cpp, Line 1412
SCSI Exec, HA 1, TA 0, LUN 0, buffer 0x025C0000
Status: 0x04 (0x01, SCSI_ERR)
HA-Status 0x00 (0x00, OK)
TA-Status 0x02 (0x01, SCSI_TASTATUS_CHKCOND)
Sense Key: 0x03 (KEY_MEDIUM_ERROR)
Sense Code: 0x0C
Sense Qual: 0x40
CDB Data: 0x2A 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x06 0xC8 0x00 0x00 0x1F 0x00 0x00 0x00
Sense Data: 0x70 0x00 0x03 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x0A
0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x0C 0x40

4:34:21 PM #16 MMC -1135 File Writer.cpp, Line 333
Write error

4:34:21 PM #17 Text 0 File ThreadedTransfer.cpp, Line 219
all writers idle, stopping conversion

4:34:21 PM #18 Text 0 File ThreadedTransfer.cpp, Line 213
conversion idle, stopping reader

4:34:22 PM #19 CDR -201 File WriterStatus.cpp, Line 194
Invalid write state

4:34:22 PM #20 TRANSFER -18 File WriterStatus.cpp, Line 194
Could not perform EndTrack

4:34:22 PM #21 Text 0 File Mmc.cpp, Line 12847
<SAMSUNG CD-R/RW SW-252F > start Close Session

4:35:34 PM #22 SCSI -1135 File Cdrdrv.cpp, Line 1208
SCSI Exec, HA 1, TA 0, LUN 0
Status: 0x04 (0x01, SCSI_ERR)
HA-Status 0x00 (0x00, OK)
TA-Status 0x02 (0x01, SCSI_TASTATUS_CHKCOND)
Sense Key: 0x03 (KEY_MEDIUM_ERROR)
Sense Code: 0x0C
Sense Qual: 0x00
CDB Data: 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00
Sense Data: 0x70 0x00 0x03 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x0A
0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x0C 0x00

4:35:34 PM #23 MMC -1135 File WriterStatus.cpp, Line 233
Write error

4:35:34 PM #24 TRANSFER -19 File WriterStatus.cpp, Line 233
Could not perform Fixation

4:35:34 PM #25 Text 0 File WriterStatus.cpp, Line 242
falling back to disc fixation

4:35:34 PM #26 Text 0 File Mmc.cpp, Line 12847
<SAMSUNG CD-R/RW SW-252F > start Close Session

4:35:59 PM #27 Phase 38 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1655
Burn process failed at 4x (600 KB/s)

4:35:59 PM #28 Text 0 File Scsicmd.cpp, Line 406
SCSI not using temporary buffers
20 out of 20 temporary buffers allocated


Existing drivers:
File 'Drivers\ASPI32.SYS': Ver=4.57 (1008), size=23936 bytes, created 12/22/1997 6:02:46 PM
File 'Drivers\PXHELP20.SYS': Ver=2.02.60a, size=17232 bytes, created 10/14/2003 5:31:18 PM (Prassi/Veritas driver for win 2K)
File 'Drivers\atapi.sys': Ver=5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158), size=95360 bytes, created 8/3/2004 10:59:42 PM (Adapter driver for rec)

Registry Keys:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WinLogon\AllocateCDROMs : 0 (Security Option)


Any idea what I need to do to fix this?

Mike

I don't know what the issue is with your NERO, but I have seen many people in the newbie forum have problems burning image files with it. I suggest a different burning application, like Alcohol 120%. This is what I have always used, and I have never had any issues with it. Or you could use a program like ISO Buster or Super ISO. I know its not that easy to just grab software, but you could see if they have a trial, or just steal them via Bittorrent likeone of my friends did.

Seeing as everybody has been so gracious in helping me on this. I thought that I should post my latest discovery/solution.
I downloaded Alex Fineman's ISO recorder and tried it and it failed also. The problem appears to be my using CD-RW media. Apparently this does not work well with ISO images. Once I used a standard CD-R disc it worked fine. Of the 3 CD-RW discs I used in my attempts to copy the ISO, 2 are completely shot, my drive simply won't read them. The third, interestingly enough did copy at least the folders located at the root, even though all my attempts to copy the ISO gave me ugly error messages from whatever software I used and some of the stats that Win explorer gives for the contents of the one CD-RW that is still readable make me suspicious of its contents.
Anyhow, the bottom line here appears to be don't use CD-RW discs for ISOs.

Mike