So recently I downloaded Ubuntu and decided that I would dual boot it for a while because my parents also use this computer and they would probably defacate upon seeing what happened to the computer. Okay, Now then I am running Ubuntu 8.10 and I installed it on my D drive ( I don't know if this was the mistake or not, this is the smaller drive (10 gig)), and I used the 7 gig install. The entire thing boots up fine, but this is only up until the login screen where you get the "Insert username here, then password", where you can select whether or not you want to use Gnome or that xtrial runny thing. The problem is that once I log in nothing happens. The login screen goes away, the screen goes beige, and nothing happens. My computer L.E.D says that the harddisk is not being accessed either (It is not flashing at all). So, I am at a loss for what I am supposed to do.
Should I just re-install it, or is there some sort of magical setting that I have to change for it to work. I have tried running it in gnome failsafe, as well as the regular one. There was also the instance that I used the x trial runtime thing.
If there is anything else that someone could suggest. I would be thankful, perhaps I should just un install it and try and work with something else, I would like one with a GUI though.
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An Ubuntu question in a Zune board? That's interesting....
Sounds like the install is having an issue with your display adapter - you might want to check compatibility. Also, did you try the LiveCD? That's always the best way to "kick the tires", so to speak - the LiveCD won't change your system at all - it runs off the CD and your system's RAM.
Are you actually dual-booting, or are you running "Wubi"? I've never used the latter - I believe Wubi sits inbetween a LiveCD and a true dual boot, as far as how invasive is is on your system.
I tried the live CD but whenever I went to reboot it did nothing and just booted up windows. (Unless there was something that I did wrong.) So I just gave up and decided that I would just shove it on an unused drive.
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Look at this sig, its new, and I used the clone tool, and the worst part is, you don't even care.
So recently I downloaded Ubuntu and decided that I would dual boot it for a while because my parents also use this computer and they would probably defacate upon seeing what happened to the computer. Okay, Now then I am running Ubuntu 8.10 and I installed it on my D drive ( I don't know if this was the mistake or not, this is the smaller drive (10 gig)), and I used the 7 gig install. The entire thing boots up fine, but this is only up until the login screen where you get the "Insert username here, then password", where you can select whether or not you want to use Gnome or that xtrial runny thing. The problem is that once I log in nothing happens. The login screen goes away, the screen goes beige, and nothing happens. My computer L.E.D says that the harddisk is not being accessed either (It is not flashing at all). So, I am at a loss for what I am supposed to do.
Should I just re-install it, or is there some sort of magical setting that I have to change for it to work. I have tried running it in gnome failsafe, as well as the regular one. There was also the instance that I used the x trial runtime thing.
If there is anything else that someone could suggest. I would be thankful, perhaps I should just un install it and try and work with something else, I would like one with a GUI though.
You shouldn't have installed it on your D drive.
The D drive is traditionally where your Windows files required to boot are held.
What I would do I were you, is just format the partition that you made for Ubuntu. These next steps are VERY IMPORTANT.
You need to format the partition in WINDOWS.
Then you'll need to go to Download EasyBCD 1.7.2 - NeoSmart Technologies and download EasyBCD.
If you skip this step you won't be able to boot into Windows, meaning a giant failure. Just rewrite the MBR (master boot record) for the Windows OS you have, I.E. XP or Vista.
Then you can just extend the D drive back across the rest of the partition.
Now, to reinstall Ubuntu, I'd make about a 5-8gb partition on your C drive. Then just pop in the CD, reboot and it should boot to the install screen. Choose install to The C drive partition after a large amount of other things. Then you just sit back and relax. Make sure to download the drivers for your video card when you have done this. Also, make sure you have your XP/Vista boot disk(s) incase something terrible happens, also make sure you have all your junk backed up, either to CD/DVDs, a flash drive or another hard drive.
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The * drive is windows stuff SilentWalrus... many users don't even have a D drive.
Many users of mid range older computer do.
Newer laptops and desktops do as well.
It's just a separate partition on your hard drive to secure Windows boot files. Many also come with a recovery partition as well.
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I tried the live CD but whenever I went to reboot it did nothing and just booted up windows. (Unless there was something that I did wrong.) So I just gave up and decided that I would just shove it on an unused drive.
Check your BIOS settings - you'll want to set to your CD / DVD drive higher in the boot order, so that the BIOS will try that before your hard drive.
As for Red Sky's comment: ATI has historically been problematic with xorg (X-Windows, the GUI) - it could certainly explain possible compatibility issues. The LiveCD would also have a problem, but at least you wouldn't be altering your system. The LiveCD does give you limited control over the video settings also, which might help.
Support Team Development Front Super Moderator Expert Zuner
Join Date: Nov 2007
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if you have an ATI card, then there's definite guides to help you. I remember installing Ubuntu and having nothing but a black screen after boot. that was an older version, so it's possible that ATI screws up now after the boot, and at login.
Check your BIOS settings - you'll want to set to your CD / DVD drive higher in the boot order, so that the BIOS will try that before your hard drive.
Alright, that is fine and dandy, but to be honest I have never really done much with anything that requires me checking my Bios in any way. Could you please tell me how to access this. (Sorry to sound really stupid right here, but as I said, Bare with me.)
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Look at this sig, its new, and I used the clone tool, and the worst part is, you don't even care.
Alright, that is fine and dandy, but to be honest I have never really done much with anything that requires me checking my Bios in any way. Could you please tell me how to access this. (Sorry to sound really stupid right here, but as I said, Bare with me.)
Not a problem at all!
Getting into your BIOS settings depends on the computer vendor. For DELL, it's usually the "F2" button as the system is booting up. For other vendors, you might see the key combination on the screen as the system is booting, or you might need to check your manual.
Once you get into the BIOS setup screen, there should be a "boot" tab or "boot sequence" menu location. What I suspect is that CD/DVD drive is lower in the boot order than your hard drive, and needs to be set higher. If that's the case and you change the boot order, you just need to save the settings and reboot the system for it to take effect.
One other word of advise: If you are unfamiliar with using the BIOS setup, you should be careful - if you change something by mistake, you could render the system unbootable. Just take your time and write down everything you do , just in case you need to undo it later.
These next steps are VERY IMPORTANT.
You need to format the partition in WINDOWS.
Then you'll need to go to Download EasyBCD 1.7.2 - NeoSmart Technologies and download EasyBCD.
If you skip this step you won't be able to boot into Windows, meaning a giant failure. Just rewrite the MBR (master boot record) for the Windows OS you have, I.E. XP or Vista.
Then you can just extend the D drive back across the rest of the partition.
Now, to reinstall Ubuntu, I'd make about a 5-8gb partition on your C drive. Then just pop in the CD, reboot and it should boot to the install screen. Choose install to The C drive partition after a large amount of other things. Then you just sit back and relax. Make sure to download the drivers for your video card when you have done this. .
That sounds great except for the fact that I have now downloaded easybcd and it says that I don't have Vista Installed (which is of course the case seeing as I do not have Vista installed to begin with, I am running XP.). It is also asking me The following
"Easybcd has detected that your bcd boot data and MBR are either not from the latest version of windows Vista, or don't yet exist.
If you'd like easybcd to correct these issues, press ok. This will modify the MBR and requires that you have WINDOWS VISTA installed on this machine. You can cancel at any time. Press 'no' to exit EasyBcd now."
So, essentially this means that I would love some advice for a solution that involves the use of XP. Unless I could just download an older version and pray to god that, that works.
By the way, I have instead chosen to install Ubuntu Studio.for I386 (or whatever it is for 32-bit)
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Look at this sig, its new, and I used the clone tool, and the worst part is, you don't even care.
That sounds great except for the fact that I have now downloaded easybcd and it says that I don't have Vista Installed (which is of course the case seeing as I do not have Vista installed to begin with, I am running XP.). It is also asking me The following
"Easybcd has detected that your bcd boot data and MBR are either not from the latest version of windows Vista, or don't yet exist.
If you'd like easybcd to correct these issues, press ok. This will modify the MBR and requires that you have WINDOWS VISTA installed on this machine. You can cancel at any time. Press 'no' to exit EasyBcd now."
So, essentially this means that I would love some advice for a solution that involves the use of XP. Unless I could just download an older version and pray to god that, that works.
By the way, I have instead chosen to install Ubuntu Studio.for I386 (or whatever it is for 32-bit)
There are three different methods of running Ubuntu on a Windows system:
1- LiveCD (which we already touched on). If you can get the LiveCD to boot up, it's probably the best thing to use as a way of playing around with Ubuntu. What's nice about it is that it does not change your Windows system in any way - if you don't like it, you power the system down and take out the CD, and it's gone.
2- Wubi. This installs Ubuntu onto a Windows partition. I've read that it installs like any other Windows application, but I haven't used it myself. It will install files onto your hard drive, which I do know for sure. I believe you can remove it later via Add / Remove programs.
3- True dual-boot. This is what I use at home, and it sounds like this is what you've attempted already. First off, I would recommend backing up your data before altering things any further (just in case). That being said, the best setup for Ubuntu is to install it on an unformatted partition or hard drive, so that it can use the native EXT3 filesystem. You need at least two partitions - one for the "/" mount point, and one for the swap file. This "/" mount point will NOT be viewable in Windows later, as it's a filesystem Windows doesn't recognize (there are ways around that, but that's a Day Two project). Ubuntu will also create its own boot menu, called GRUB, to boot up either Windows or Ubuntu after the install. You shouldn't need EasyBCD.
If you are unfamiliar with filesystems / partitioning / boot menus etc. I would highly recommend avoiding a dual-boot setup. No matter how you slice it, it does take a little technical know-how and I can't tell you how many times I've screwed up my Windows setup by playing around with this. Please backup your data before attempting, I can't stress this enough.
Need help installing Ubuntu
