Cannot install a 64-bit OS

Ol!ver · 6 Apr 2012 at 10:09

Hi

I'm trying to install Ubuntu 64-bit onto my machine, but the live CD will not boot. I get the keyboard logo on a purple background, and then a black screen with a blinking cursor. This is where it stays. I've left it ten minutes and it doesn't move. The disc spins down and the HDD light is off.

I've tried the various options by pressing F6 but nothing seems to make it work.

I've also tried 11.10, 10.10 and even the latest beta, but they all do the same. I've tried Mint, too, and while that seems to be working, it eventually just sits there too.

I have no such problems with the 32-bit versions.

I am using an Intel E6600 Core 2 Duo in a Gigabyte P35C DS3R board with 8GB of RAM.

Any ideas? I wanted 64 bit for all that RAM.

I've had Memtest running through the two 4GB sticks and that's passing fine. I was wondering whether it was the new RAM, but maybe not. Seeing as the 32-bit versions of Ubuntu work, that would have made a bit of sense.

Cheers.

PhillyDee · 6 Apr 2012 at 10:12

Try taking one of the sticks out.

100%scottish · 6 Apr 2012 at 10:13

sounds like its just not reading the disc :\ did you burn it yourself ?

mmj_uk · 6 Apr 2012 at 11:59

I've been trying to get into Linux for 12yrs but it's these sort of problems that have put me off year after year, in my experience it's probably just a hardware conflict of some kind.

You'll probably need to add some kind of boot option such as these:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BootOptions#Common_Kernel_Options

Turambar · 6 Apr 2012 at 12:25

Try installing from USB, that'll rule out bad CDs at least.

Ol!ver · 6 Apr 2012 at 12:45

Righty, I should have added that I tried from USB - same result.

I'll try with different sticks of RAM tonight. It's interesting that 32bit installs fine, though.

I'll also download a 64bit version of Windows to rule out Linux. The preview of Windows 8 is still free, yeah?

I've also tried the various boot options by pressing F6 during the initial boot sequence. I've tried various versions of ubuntu (all 64bit) and also a version of Linux Mint. Still no dice.

The fact that the PAE Kernel (32bit) wouldn't boot has me wondering about that RAM again, although I was installing that kernel post-install of Ubuntu, so I might try installing that afresh at a push.