LinuxQuestions.org
Welcome to the most active Linux Forum on the web.
Go Back   LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Distributions > Ubuntu
User Name
Password
Ubuntu This forum is for the discussion of Ubuntu Linux.

Notices


Reply
  Search this Thread
Old 09-19-2006, 11:38 AM   #1
rsambuca
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Sep 2006
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Distribution: Undecided
Posts: 5

Rep: Reputation: 0
Can't install either from desktop or alternate CD


I have never used Linux before. Out of curiosity and interest, thought I would give Ubuntu a shot.

Specs:

MSI RS482M4 motherboard s939
AMD64 3500+ CPU
1GIG RAM (2x512)
233GB hard drive
Asus 6600GT PCIe video card 128MB
Sapphire Theatrix 550pro TV Tuner card

I have downloaded the Ubuntu liveCD for AMD64, but when it starts booting it hangs at the "mounting root files" stage. After doing some searches, I have tried disconnecting my USB devices prior to booting - no effect. Next...

I had a small 6 GB hard drive from an old machine which I then installed as a slave drive - I was going to try loading Ubuntu on the slave drive and have a dual boot system (wife won't allow me to wipe Windows without showing her how linux might work first!). So I then tried the alternate CD, and it also hangs (I think it said detecting hardware, or something like that), then the screens go blue and freeze. (kinda funny - I have never had the blue screen of death since moving to WindowsXP from 98, and then I get one when trying to install linux!!!).

Anyways, I guess I have a few questions: anyone know if I might have some hareware issues here? Will I have to toss the Tuner card as it is based on the ATI 550pro chip prior to installing? I know it doesn't work with linux, but I was hoping I could leave it in for now for when I use windows. I guess I could always get a Hauppauge tuner card if need be. Would it matter if I tried a different distribution?

Any help would be very much appreciated. I would hate for my linux adventures to end before they began!

Thanks in advance,

RSambuca

ps. I have tried different download sights, and tried burning at different speeds - used 8x last time. Tired of making coasters.
 
Old 09-19-2006, 02:59 PM   #2
David the H.
Bash Guru
 
Registered: Jun 2004
Location: Osaka, Japan
Distribution: Arch + Xfce
Posts: 6,852

Rep: Reputation: 2037Reputation: 2037Reputation: 2037Reputation: 2037Reputation: 2037Reputation: 2037Reputation: 2037Reputation: 2037Reputation: 2037Reputation: 2037Reputation: 2037
It does sound like some sort of hardware hangup to me.

First of all, there are some boot options that you can try. I'm not sure how Ubuntu does it exactly, but there should be some kind of menu option somewhere on the initial splash screen that explains them. Try disabling acpi and/or apm. Those are the two that cause the most trouble at startup.

Trying another distro certainly might be an option also. Knoppix is generally well-regarded as being able to recognize a lot of hardware. If you can get your system to run with a live cd, then you should be able to get some regular distro or other to install correctly.

Oh, and invest in a few CD-RW's. They'll save you some coaster-making trouble. (^-^)
 
Old 09-19-2006, 07:21 PM   #3
rsambuca
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Sep 2006
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Distribution: Undecided
Posts: 5

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 0
Thanks for the reply David. I tried adding acpi=off, and then pci=noacpi, but neither worked.

I'll do a search for info on how to disable apm (whatever that is).
 
Old 09-22-2006, 11:10 AM   #4
rsambuca
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Sep 2006
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Distribution: Undecided
Posts: 5

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 0
got it working: used ide=nodma as boot option

Finally got the live CD to boot. After doing a lot of searching here there and everywhere, I tried entering "ide=nodma" as a boot option and it works fine now.
 
Old 09-22-2006, 03:19 PM   #5
ffilc7373
Member
 
Registered: Feb 2004
Location: North London, England
Distribution: Ubuntu
Posts: 125

Rep: Reputation: 16
Hi rsambuca,
Can you give a little more information on how/where you entered "ide=nodma"
I have been wrestling with the same problem and it looks like you may have the solution
thanks
 
Old 09-22-2006, 09:25 PM   #6
rsambuca
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Sep 2006
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Distribution: Undecided
Posts: 5

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 0
ffilc,

After you start your computer from the liveCD, press "boot options" at the start menu (I think it was F6). You will then see a line of commands open up on the screen. I just added the phrase

ide=nodma

to the command line prior to the "--" at the end of the line, and then pressed enter. It then installed fine for me. Note: I know virtually nothing about this as this is my first experience with linux.

I have since installed ubuntu onto a second hard drive and it seems to be working so far.

Good luck
 
Old 09-23-2006, 02:39 AM   #7
ffilc7373
Member
 
Registered: Feb 2004
Location: North London, England
Distribution: Ubuntu
Posts: 125

Rep: Reputation: 16
Many thanks and good luck.
ffilc
 
  


Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off



Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Alternate desktop layouts with Gnome Cathbard Linux - General 5 04-27-2006 05:03 AM
Install alternate Environment e-freak Linux - Newbie 2 01-09-2005 06:23 PM
Using KDE As An Alternate Desktop for HP-UX kaplan71 Other *NIX 1 12-18-2004 07:13 PM
How to install alternate WM in FC2? vincebs Fedora 8 08-24-2004 04:40 PM
Alternate WM desktop icons meatman Linux - Software 1 05-26-2004 09:13 PM

LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Distributions > Ubuntu

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:22 PM.

Main Menu
Advertisement
My LQ
Write for LQ
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute content, let us know.
Main Menu
Syndicate
RSS1  Latest Threads
RSS1  LQ News
Twitter: @linuxquestions
Open Source Consulting | Domain Registration