I am trying to load Ubuntu for the first time from windows XP and am using a set of disks from Linux Format. My BIOS is set to boot from CD and I slot in the first disk.
I get the Ubuntu splash screen, select Start/Install and after a short pause get;
I/O Error
Error Reading CD
<Reboot>
I have now tried other disks for this distro also Kubuntu, Knoppix, Mepis etc all give the same result.
It seems my CD Drive is not Linux compatible (if that is possible), its an ASUS CRW 5232A3.
Is there a a fix for this or must i change the drive.
If I must change please advise Linux compatible hardware
Thanks Cliff

is ur RAM 256 MB??

Hi Cr@sh
RAM is 1GB

hi,

is ur drive working in Windows...??
else try buying either Samsung/LG drive.

Most likely you have a bad media/write problem. Ubuntu will send you free CD's if you don't have a CD burner or have Internet dial-up. CD's can be verified, have you tried that. I don't know if Windows can do that.

Thanks Cr@sh,
Yes the CD drive works perfectly in Windows, reads writes and rewrite OK. Your recommendation of Samsung or LG drive is noted.

Hi fragos,
I tried another set of disks also tried other distros and always the same result.
On the ubuntu splash screen that comes up (this is where I select Start/Install) there is an option to check the CD. if I select that there is a brief delay and I get the same error message.
Therefore am pretty much convinced it is not the media and must be the drive. As I said its an ASUS CDW drive.
I think many years ago there was a limit on how much RAM you could use with Linux (780MB perhaps). Is there still a limit on RAM size and is my problem caused by 1GB RAM??
thanks Cliff

There shouldn't be a limitation connected to the amount of RAM.
Also, your CD-ROM device should work perfectly with Linux (at least, similar models do).

Thus, and because you've tested with many CDs and distros, I tend to think the problem might be the way you've burned them. I.e., make sure you've selected an option, "seal (or close) the disks so that it can't be rewritten." - Which application did you use to burn the CDs, and did you use special settings? - Here's a guide on burning CDs from ISO files.

Also, have you verified the Live CDs on other computers?

Good thinking Robbert !!
I had tried burning my own CD's but when they didn't work I cocentrated on disks supplied with magazines or as a Distro packages. All with the same Error Message.
However I just tried your suggestion of loading a disk on another PC and it works perfectly. I have not tried a complete installation but I can load and run Linux from the CD.
((No Error Message))
For information the only real difference in the spec of the 2 PC's is that the one that works has 2GB of RAM.
I cannot understand why the CD Drive works OK in Windows but not in Linux, I had hoped someone would come up with a brilliant answer but I think my next step must be to go and buy a new CD ROM drive.
Thanks Robbert and all others for your contribution
de Cliff

I don't know this to be your problem but, I have seen CD's written on one CD drive that would read on other CD drives but still fail on another. Perhaps it depends on the vintage of the drive that fails to read the CD. CD Standards have changed over time and new devices seem to be good at backward compatibility.

I have now bought and installed a new CD ROM Drive.
The original was Asus CRW 5232A3 and the replacement is LG GSA H10N and the problem is solved. The new drive also gives me DVD RW capability.
For anyone else reading this please note; the fact that a CD Drive works with Windows does not guarantee that it will work with Linux, I guess that applies to a lot of things.
Thanks to all
de Cliff

I'm doubtful that this problem was Linux. Most things are supported by Linux. I for one am amazed at how much is supported without having to load a special driver. There are some things which require special installation and few things that don't yet work. Webcams can be problematical for example. I for one always research products I buy to see if they are currently supported. I've yet to come across an IDE CD/DVD drive that didn't work when plugged in. I've built a number of systems for myself and others.

@ffilc7373: i had this same issue on one pc tho it was a cd burner only, and the 2.17 series picked it up for me now in ubuntu...i was getting error's all the time.

I recommend that you submit a bug report of the make and model to the kernel team as a way to give back? They may ask you to install the cdrom, but it may help other people out who are not as fortunate as you to be able to go to the store and buy another.

@fragos: I don't know this to be your problem but, I have seen CD's written on one CD drive that would read on other CD drives but still fail on another"

Yeah I've had this happen too.

I've also found for one pc that it will only boot home made iso cd's of linux installs if I burn the cd under 6x speeds. It has an old cd rom drive in it, maybe something with error correction I dunno.

I've even found the color of the blank cd's can make a difference too at times. I found the shiny and silverish the better, blue, red, etc seem bad for me on the whole.

Old Fogie had a great suggestion. You can never tell when the details of your problem will lead to a solution for all. Give the kernel team the opportunity to learn from your issue.