Please help me run Kubuntu, weird problem!

[Predtech]

Hi guys, i used to use kubuntu on my old shuttle pc, but i have since built a new power rig, but whenever i try to run kubuntu from a cd to install or even just go live style, i get to the graphic of kubuntu moving left and right in blue, but then after a few seconds i get a black screen with (initramfs) on the screen.
Can anybody tell me what i'm doing wrong.

My pc specs are:
Q6600 quad core cpu
nVidia 7300LE graphics card
DFI Lanparty motherboard
Pioneer SATA dvd-rw
2 X 2GB Patriot DDR2 ram @800Mhz

Thanks

[Predtech]

Re: Please help me run Kubuntu, weird problem!

Bump

[Snowhog]

Re: Please help me run Kubuntu, weird problem!

People experiencing problems with booting, even from the LiveCD, often have nVidia video cards, as your specifications indicate you have.

From the LiveCD boot menu press the function key (F4 or F6) that allows you to select booting in Safe Graphics mode (VGA). See if this gets you past your problem. If the LiveCD will boot in Safe Graphics mode and ultimately present you with the KDE Desktop, then actually installing, again in Safe Graphics mode, is likely to be the route you will need to take. Then, after installation, you can install/configure the drivers for the nVidia card.

[Predtech]

Re: Please help me run Kubuntu, weird problem!

Ok, cool. Thanks for the advice, i'll give it a shot right now and post back with the results.

[Predtech]

Re: Please help me run Kubuntu, weird problem!

Ok, so i tried what you suggested, but it didn't help. I have also tried booting the new beta version of Ubuntu and i get the very same problem, but i figured that was because of the fact they're both built on the same structure. The weird thing is, i never had any problems booting 7.10 on this pc. Granted i did have some networking problems but i could still get the desktop up with no problems.

Any other suggestions?

[dibl]

Re: Please help me run Kubuntu, weird problem!

Yep, it's that Nvidia card causing the problem.

If you can get to the part where you add boot codes (F4 or F6 on the first screen of the CD), try a VGA=791.

"nosplash" may get you past the problem too, although you'll ultimately want the splash, so what you need to do is find the correct vga code for that 7300LE.

[Predtech]

Re: Please help me run Kubuntu, weird problem!

Yeah, i can get to the screen where it gives you options, like start kubuntu without making any changes to ypur pc, install kubuntu, and all that other stuff.

Is that where you're talking about? If so, how do i get that VGA=791? and also how do i even find the correct code for my graphics card?

[3vi1]

Re: Please help me run Kubuntu, weird problem!

If you were looking to install Kubuntu, not just try it out, I'd recommend the alternate install CD. I've had systems that can't boot the desktop CD but that can install from the AI CD and run fine at that point.

[dibl]

Re: Please help me run Kubuntu, weird problem!

Here's more than you ever wanted to know about kernel boot codes:

http://www.knoppix.net/wiki/Kernel-parameters-2.6.11

However, to zero in on the VGA codes, click the VGA entry on the contents here:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BootOptions

Basically, you want to edit the kernel boot line and either remove "splash" or try vga=791 or one of the other vga codes. vga=791 works on my Nvidia 8800GTS, to get it past the splash. On the desktop, it runs at 1600x1200, but to get to the desktop you have to get it past the splash.

[Predtech]

Re: Please help me run Kubuntu, weird problem!

I figured out what the problem was. My main HDD, a Seagate SATA drive, is basically FOOBAR, lol. I tried running my system with my old EIDE Pioneer dvd-rw drive but still got the same problem. Then i decided to take each drive out one by one in case that's where the problem lay, and don't you know i damn well found it. When i removed the SATA drive, which had been giving me lots of problems in Windows also, each and every Linux live cd i have ran perfectly, first time.

[Snowhog]

Re: Please help me run Kubuntu, weird problem!

Excellent! The ability to troubleshoot is a skill that not all develop or are ever able to adequately acquire.

[Predtech]

Re: Please help me run Kubuntu, weird problem!

Excellent! The ability to troubleshoot is a skill that not all develop or are ever able to adequately acquire.

Very well said. I spent many years in pc retail back home in Ireland, and that was one thing i wished many more people would take up, instead of relying on us.

Oh well

[Snowhog]

Re: Please help me run Kubuntu, weird problem!

Ireland? I'd very much like to visit some time before I leave this world - Scotland too.

[Predtech]

Re: Please help me run Kubuntu, weird problem!

I'll give you one solid piece of advice before you do go.

Take LOTS of money, because it sure as hell ain't cheap, by any means. Basically whatever you would take to disneyworld for 1 week, take 3 times that for the same amount of time in Ireland.