Cannot get LiveCD to go past first screen. [C]

[sdm541105]

I am very new to Linux and Kubuntu. I am trying to run the LiveCD on my Dell laptop to check out Kubuntu. I have yet to get it to install.

System:
OS Name Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Home Premium
Version 6.0.6001 Service Pack 1 Build 6001
System Manufacturer Dell Inc.
System Model Inspiron 1525
System Type X86-based PC
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T5750 @ 2.00GHz, 2000 Mhz, 2 Core(s), 2 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date Dell Inc. A13, 6/27/2008
SMBIOS Version 2.4
Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 3.00 GB

I downloaded Kubuntu 9.04 (kubuntu-9.04-desktop-i386).
Then ran winMd5Sum, the checksums matched.
I then followed the instructions to burn the image to a CD.
I changed the BIOS so the laptop boots first from the CD.
The boot menu comes up and I select English.
From this point I have tried many different combinations of options. Removing 'quiet splash --' and not. Selecting different options from F6 and both normal and safe from F4. I also tried the disk check and memory test. In all but one case the CD will run for 1 to 5 seconds, then nothing the screen remains the unchanged. Except during the memory test. Then the screen blanks with just the cursor blinking in the upper left corner.

The only boot menu option that works is the 'boot from first hard drive'.

Thanks, SueM

[Snowhog]

Re: Cannot get LiveCD to go past first screen. [C]

Welcome SueM.

I observed earlier, that you were reviewing the Useful Tips for newbies go here post. The detailed information you have provided shows that you picked up on some of the tips on providing useful info. One thing you omitted, and which is almost certainly pertinant to your immediate problem, is the make and model of your video card. That is almost certainly the cause of your inability to fully boot from the LiveCD.

[askrieger]

Re: Cannot get LiveCD to go past first screen. [C]

Just as a matter of curiosity (since you didn't mention it), did you check the MD5sum of the burned CDR? Also, the Intel Core2 series is a 64 bit processor. You might do better with the 64 bit version of Kubuntu.

[sdm541105]

Re: Cannot get LiveCD to go past first screen. [C]

Snowhog:
I don't know what the video card is. I could not find an entry in the device manager. The monitor software gave me the system information below.

askrieger:
No I didn't check the Md5Sum on the CD ... yet. As far as I knew this is a 32 bit system. This is the first time I have had dual processors.


Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator Driver for Mobile Report


Report Date: 09/05/2009
Report Time[hr:mm:ss]: 21:59:22
Driver Version: 7.14.10.1409
Operating System: Windows Vista (TM) Home Premium* , Service Pack 1 (6.0.6001)
Default Language: English
DirectX* Version: 10.0
Physical Memory: 3061 MB
Minimum Graphics Memory: 8 MB
Maximum Graphics Memory: 358 MB
Graphics Memory in Use: 164 MB
Processor: x86 family 6 Model 15 Stepping 13
Processor Speed: 1995 MHZ
Vendor ID: 8086
Device ID: 2A02
Device Revision: 0C


* Accelerator Information *

Accelerator in Use: Mobile Intel(R) 965 Express Chipset Family
Video BIOS: 1566
Current Graphics Mode: 1280 by 800 True Color (60 Hz)



* Devices Connected to the Graphics Accelerator *


Active Notebook Displays: 1


* Notebook *

Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Display Type: Digital
Gamma Value: 2.20
DDC2 Protocol: Supported
Maximum Image Size: Horizontal: Not Available
Vertical: Not Available
Monitor Supported Modes:
1280 by 800 (60 Hz)
Display Power Management Support:
Standby Mode: Not Supported
Suspend Mode: Not Supported
Active Off Mode: Not Supported


* SDVO Encoder Report *

** Encoder 1 **
Vendor ID: Silicon Image
Device ID: 174
Device Revision: 0
Major Version: 1
Minor Version: 2

* Other names and brands are the property of their respective owners.

[Snowhog]

Re: Cannot get LiveCD to go past first screen. [C]

This is a laptop or desktop PC?

[13thSlayer]

Re: Cannot get LiveCD to go past first screen. [C]

This is a laptop or desktop PC?

* Notebook *

Notebook=laptop.

[Snowhog]

Re: Cannot get LiveCD to go past first screen. [C]

Duh! :P Guess if I'd read the original post just a bit closer. I'll just blame it on my glasses. 8)

SueM@

Reboot using the LiveCD and opt to edit the boot kernel, removing the quiet and splash. How far does it get? Are there any messages you can note?

[sdm541105]

Re: Cannot get LiveCD to go past first screen. [C]

No messages, nothing. The screen does not change.

[askrieger]

Re: Cannot get LiveCD to go past first screen. [C]

@Sue M: Just to clarify -- (from your first message)

Processor Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T5750 @ 2.00GHz, 2000 Mhz, 2 Core(s), 2 Logical Processor(s)

(From CNET Reviews)

August 8, 2008. We incorrectly identified the CPU as a Core 2 Duo T2390 for this laptop. It uses the older Pentium Dual-Core Mobile Processor T2390, which features 1MB of L2 cache and operates on a 533MHz frontside bus. Most Core 2 Duo mobile processors operate on a faster bus and all offer 2MB or more of L2 cache. Both the Pentium Dual-Core and Core 2 Duo chips are manufactured using the same 65-nanometer process.

But PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE check the md5sum of the CDR!

[sdm541105]

Re: Cannot get LiveCD to go past first screen. [C]

But PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE check the md5sum of the CDR!

OK, but how? What file do I point md5sum to on the CDR and where do I find the checksum to compare it with?

Thanks!

[Snowhog]

Re: Cannot get LiveCD to go past first screen. [C]

SueM@

Take a look at dibl's Top 20 Kubuntu FAQs & Answers #2

[askrieger]

Re: Cannot get LiveCD to go past first screen. [C]

OK, but how? What file do I point md5sum to on the CDR and where do I find the checksum to compare it with?

Please take a look at this page at the Ubuntu Community Wiki.

[sdm541105]

Re: Cannot get LiveCD to go past first screen. [C]

OK, The checksums are different.
ISO = 537a22de1342d5671b7e0070f66a6076 - match
CDR = 26951222114d70961c20cb76822fcea9 - no match

I downloaded kubuntu-9.04-desktop-i386.iso and used ISO Recorder to burn the CD. Before I burn it again is there anything I need to check or change?

BTW - I am running with a bit of informayion overload because I'm also learning how to use Thunderbird and OpenOffice.org. All part of my move away from Microsoft. So could you use simple words please?

[Snowhog]

Re: Cannot get LiveCD to go past first screen. [C]

Bad checksums will do it.

Two things to keep in mind when burning .iso files to CD. 1) use quality CDs, and 2) burn at 4x speed (recommended).

The .iso file itself has the md5 checksum included within it. The burner software should have a feature that performs a checksum on the burned CD afterwards, comparing it to the original .iso. They should match. If they don't, the burn didn't go correctly (write issues and/or bad media).

It is also possible to have gotten a 'bad' download initially.

[GreyGeek]

Re: Cannot get LiveCD to go past first screen. [C]

SueM, Welcome to Kubuntu!

I hope you haven't installed Kubuntu 9.04 32bit yet. I have a recommendation to make.

Your Dell 1525 is a 64 bit dual core , midrange video notebook, just like my Sony VAIO VGN-FW140E/H Mine has a mediocre GM45 video chip, similar in performance to your GMA 965. I installed the 32 bit Kubuntu 9.04 and most applications ran fine: Skype, OpenOffice, FireFox, DigiKam, Ekiga, Audacity, DVD playing, flashvideos, YouTube, Hulu, etc. It's only when I used GoogleEarth, SecondLife, gl-117, flightsim, and other applications dependent on accelerated video did I find my GM45 chip lacking.... until I squeezed 40GB out of my Jaunty install and installed Kubuntu 9.10 Kaarmic Alpha. Overall performance increased 15-20% and apps like GoogleEarth and SecondLife went from being jumpy and just barely usable to performing very smoothly. Stellarium gives 30-40 fps. TORCS, a 3D lamans road racing game, which wouldn't run under 32bit Jaunty, is as smooth as silk under 64bit Karmic. With the ia32 libraries installed the 64bit Kubuntu can run 32bit apps seamlessly... at least I haven't found any that won't work well, and it will run 64 bits apps which the 32bit Kubuntu cannot run. I don't recommend installing the Karmic 64bit alpha. Although it is now working smoothly things it's better to go with a stable release. So, you can download the Kubuntu 9.04 64bit ISO here;


EDIT:
I hate it when I do this... paste the wrong URL...
http://mirrors.gigenet.com/ubuntu/9.04/ubuntu-9.04-desktop-amd64.iso

What I should have posted is this one:
http://releases.ubuntu.com/releases/kubuntu/9.04/
ENDEDIT:


The 9.04 distro was released on April 23rd of this year... about 5 months ago. After you install it you'll need to download several hundred megs of upgrade files by opening a Konsole and issuing:

sudo apt-get update

followed by

sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

That will bring your 64bit Kubuntu 9.04 up to date.


You can continue with the automatic upgrades of Jaunty right up until Karmic is released. Then, you can disable the Jaunty repository settings and add the Karmic repository settings and redo those two sudo commands which I gave above. That will automatically update you to the Kubuntu 9.10 Karmic release.