Cannot Install Ubuntu
 

When I try to run Ubuntu from a live CD it gets as far as
"Starting System Log" and then stops, monitor shows no signal and after a short pause switches off. Is there a known fix for this?
I can load the Live CD if I select "Start Ubuntu in safe graphics mode" but only part of the screen is visible because the resolution is wrong.
So when I try to Install from this Safe Graphics screen I cannot locate the Forward button.
I think for a start I need to know how to change screen resolution in the desktop of the Safe Graphics display.
I have read the threads with similar title but none address my problem.
I have tried several CD's of Ubuntu including an ISO I burnt myself all give the same result.
Any input would be appreciated.

There is an Ubuntu cd called Ubuntu Alternate (or something along those lines). This version isn't a Live Cd, just an installer in the old text based mode.
You might have more success with this.
http://ftp.ticklers.org/releases.ubu...releases/6.06/

Hope that helps.

Thanks salparadise
I located the alternate .iso downloaded and produced a CD.
Loading Ubuntu from the CD took a while but went quite smoothly.
I am now going to take a break and will let you know tomorrow if I have a working Ubuntu.
Thanks again

have you tried any other distros or live cd's? did the machine work fine before you began this install? just a couple questions that popped to mind when i read this thread.

Hi Dogged28, thanks for input.
I have not recently tried other Distro,s since I am concentrating on trying to get Ubuntu to work, you hear such good reports of how well it works that I think I must be doing something silly.
The PC works fine with Windows (but thats not where I want to be)
I have had a couple of interesting inputs;
One from "rsambuca" (see his/her seperate thread) suggests adding the line
ide=nodma
at the start page.
I have not yet tried this because the other input (which was from "salparadise") has given partial success.
This suggestion was to use the Alternate CD and as you will see above I did this and successfully loaded Ubuntu.
The problem I now have is;
I switch on the PC.
The Grub screen gives the options to boot from windows or Ubuntu.
If I boot Windows it works OK.
If I try to boot Ubuntu I get a few lines of scrolling text then the screen goes blank, monitor says no signal and after a short delay switches off.
So... I have the same problem but have move it slightly downstream.
I am thinking that I need to add this command line instruction "ide=nodma" at some point but can't see where at the moment.
The other option is to simply start again as suggested by "rsambuca" and load ubuntu from the Live CD using the magic words.
If anyone has any suggestions I would love to have them, meanwhile I will spend the weekend trying to fix the problems.
Thanks to all
ffilc

I see I am getting a few readers but no comment so perhaps my question was too elaborate.
Lets make it simple, Ubuntu is loaded but will not run, it loads files, drivers etc but fails at "Starting System Log".
Do I have a memory problem? (1GB)
or perhaps a partition problem? (27GB ext3 and 2.7GB swap)
I am feeling lonely !!
ffilc

i'm not a guru mind you, but try the ide=nodma command and see what happens. also though, are you wanting to dual boot or git rid of windows altogether? it could also be a memory problem. you have a gig or memory so that is how many sticks? try removing one stick, reboot, if problem still occurs-replace the stick and remove another. trial and error, also if the gurus know the video card your using may help troubleshoot. i'm leaning toward your video (onboard or card) but i can't rule out memory stick either. and don't feel lonely, the funnest part of linux is how much you learn through trial and error. we'll git you through this.

Thanks dogged28,
I was thinking that my question must be so stupid no one wanted to talk to me!
I tried the ide=nodma on the boot line for the live CD and it made no difference, the boot sequence gets as far as Starting System Log" and then stops.
If however I start the CD with the "Start Ubuntu in safe graphics mode" I do get the live version of Ubuntu up and running but the screen image is bigger than the screen, so I can't locate the "forward" button to move to install.
If there is a key combination which I can use for "Forward" that might be a solution.
Otherwise if I can change the screen resolution from the basic Desktop that might fix it.
The memory is 2 sticks so I will try what you suggest.
I will check the video/graphics card at the same time and report back.
Thanks again
de ffilc

ffilc,

From your description, it sounds like our boot problems with the live CD were different issues. When I tried to boot up (prior to the ide=nodma command), it would hang at the stage that says "mounting root files".

It would do this whether I would try safe graphics mode, or even the check CD mode. I thought a first the CD burn when bad, but after a bit of reading I tried the magic words.

In any event, as I am a complete noob, I can't really help you other than to say it sounds like we have different problems with the CD.

By the way, I have the dual boot thing working well. My next mission is to see if I can get my webcam, TV Tuner etc, working in ubuntu. If I can't get all of that stuff working, I guess I will end up sticking with windows MCE.

Good luck

i have another suggestion, sorry for all the extra work. i know the answer is so simple, no one is just seeing it. try pulling the video card and using the mainboard video. another thought would be to say "screw it, i'll wipe the drive and start form scratch!" on the bright side, once all is said and done and your running fine you'll be amazed at how much you'll have learned from this experience.
congrats on the dual boot rsambuca!!!!

my goals are an ftp server and a game server.

Hi,
Some interesting results.
Let me first say thanks to "rsambuca", you are right that my problem was not the same as yours but it seemed so similar that I was hopeful that your solution would work. The fact that it didn't in no way detracts from the value of your input in helping me to understand my problem.
Thanks again, long may the spirit of mutual assistance continue.
Now, "dogged28",
I tried your suggestion with the memory sticks but no improvement.
My Video card was S3 Trio 64v2DX which is included in the Hardware Compatability List (HCL) and certainly works OK on Windows.
I replaced this with a NVIDIA GeForce4 Mx440 AGP card but no difference. Both these cards are old so out to the shop and bought GeForce 6200 256 AGP.
A little bit of setting up and try the Ubuntu live video, ### IT WORKS like a dream !! ###
The full graphics version loads OK and the screen is now a sensible size, all of the instructions and function buttons are visible. I can also see that my problem was almost certainly due to not being able to read the instructions on screen.
I still have some work to do to clean up partitions and Install Ubuntu but I have some confidence that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
You don't have to be a guru, just a creative thinker.
Thanks
ffilc

i'm just glad your up and nearly running full. i only mentioned the memory because i had a similiar problem with an install and that was the fix. i have a stupid question for you: did the old video card work good in windows or was it kinda crappy there too? i look forward to reading your successful install soon. i believe there is a newbie thread here where you can post your success just please include the problem, troubleshooting steps and possible fixes you tried and what finally worked. awesome job my friend and congratulations to you.

Thanks, I now have Ubuntu installed and the dual boot with windows is operational. You will see my ID appear again since I am sure I will have other questions.
For your info both of the cards, the S3 and the early GeForce worked OK on Windows hence I was fooled into expecting them to work on Linux. The new card gives greater resolution and presumably more speed, although I don't play games on the PC so that is not important at this time.
Thanks again and best wishes to you and yours.
ffilc

congratulations. i'm still in question about the cards though. out of curiousity, have you checked the manufacturers site for compatible linux drivers? that could have been the only issue. either or, i'm glad you got it up and running.

Hi again,
No, I didn't check further because I realise both cards were quite old.
They both went in the bin (ie Trash) since I had the new board which works OK.
Now I am wrestling with the problem of making my internet connection work (see seperate thread).
I thought it would be automatic but it is not.
I think I would give up on Linux (as I have in the past) if it wasn't for the terrible service we get from Windows.
I am determined to succeed and have the satisfaction of ditching Windows!!
Perhaps see you on the Internet Connection thread.
ffilc