Can't install gutsy

AGD · 23 Jan 2008 at 09:11

I've searched on the ubuntu forums and seen lots of different answers to this so am slightly confused - also thought it more likely that someone here would have a comp like mine.

Basically after the grub screen (when I select the install option) there is no signal to the screen, I've tried the alt cd and that goes to a black screen.

My spec is intel core 2 duo 6550, 8800gt, geil ull ram and a belkin wireless card which I have read might be causing problems too. (bcm43xx something errors). Also I have a widescreen which I've also read could be causing problems!

Question, I've tried the nosplash vga=791 thing and it lasts longer before just stopping (says eventually that the gfx card is not detected and to run in safe graphics mode but then still stops) so would that be the wireless? Does anyone know if fedora has these installation problems because I'm tempted to buy a dvd and burn that instead.

Please help - I need beryl!

brummie · 23 Jan 2008 at 10:23

have you tried plugging the monitor into a different port at the back?
Had that problem once.

.walls · 23 Jan 2008 at 11:46

Apologies for not understanding you, however, I have never used Ubuntu and therefore am unfamiliar with what you have described.

Basically after the grub screen (when I select the install option) there is no signal to the screen, I've tried the alt cd and that goes to a black screen.

Is this part of the installer? If not, can you get as far as a command prompt, or does it fail before that?

If it is, then are you sure that the media that you're trying to install from is in good condition? (Try burning another cd)

If Ubuntu has successfully installed and a reboot gives the above behaviour after the grub menu (but before x loads), it is likely to be an issue with the frame buffer device - whereas if it loads to a command prompt, it's your xorg config.

If it's the frame buffer (which I suspect that it is) - try adding the native resolution of your monitor (vga=834 for 1400*1050 @ 16bit for example) as opposed to 800*600 (vga=771).

AGD · 23 Jan 2008 at 12:14

Thanks for replying but it's still not working (changed the monitor port and 834 is not recognised for the vga by ubuntu).

Is there anyone here who's installed ubuntu/fedora on a similar system to mine? I've taken out the wireless card but it's still not working.

For clarity I get to the first menu screen (grub I believe) and select the install option and it outputs no signal. Ubuntu is not installed on my machine yet.

.walls · 23 Jan 2008 at 12:29

For clarity I get to the first menu screen (grub I believe) and select the install option and it outputs no signal. Ubuntu is not installed on my machine yet.

weird... grub is usually the last thing you would install! (but it does sound like you're working with grub)

Is the Ubuntu installer cd not a live cd? does it boot?

likwid · 23 Jan 2008 at 12:43

Which motherboard are you using?

AGD · 23 Jan 2008 at 12:50

The cd is in and I turn on the comp, it goes to a screen which has the logo and 5 options - start or install ubuntu, down to boot from first hard disk. This is all correct, only after selecting start or install ubuntu do the problems occur. I have tried with safe graphics mode as well. My motherboard is the abit IP35-E.

mattgaunt · 23 Jan 2008 at 13:26

You dont mean GRUB, GRUB is the bootloader is installed once Ubuntu is installed. What your saying is you cant get the liveCD to boot.

But unfortunately i have no idea how you would fix it.

p.s. - you dont mean beryl, beryl has merged with compiz and you now want compiz-fusion which comes installed with ubuntu 7.10 when you get your graphics up and running

Gaunt

.walls · 23 Jan 2008 at 13:34

Try downloading the iso again (burn to a cd-rw if you have one, as you'll be able to reuse it if it doesn't work). If that doesn't work, try a different distro.

You may want to try OpenSuSE (which comes on a DVD or 5 - yes, FIVE!! -cds), Fedora, Mint (which is an Ubuntu derivative, so may not be ideal), Xandros, Puppy or Knoppix... although the latter two are very light distros which are more aimed at repairing broken boxes.... but will give you an idea if it's hardware or software which is at fault.

/w

.walls · 23 Jan 2008 at 13:36

Also, have you overclocked the box?

likwid · 23 Jan 2008 at 14:20

It's your motherboard's p35 chipset, I had the exact same problem.

Mixing ide optical and sata hd doesn't work so maybe you'll need to buy a sata optical?. Ahci needs to be enabled and the optical drive needs to be selected by model in the bios boot sequence.

http://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?pid=276755
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=459459&page=5
http://ubuntuforums.org/archive/index.php/t-470786.html
http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=3372889
http://ubuntuforums.org/archive/index.php/t-544806.html

brummie · 24 Jan 2008 at 10:10

bibalasvegas said:
Thanks for replying but it's still not working (changed the monitor port and 834 is not recognised for the vga by ubuntu).

Is there anyone here who's installed ubuntu/fedora on a similar system to mine? I've taken out the wireless card but it's still not working.

For clarity I get to the first menu screen (grub I believe) and select the install option and it outputs no signal. Ubuntu is not installed on my machine yet.

Unplugged from back and put into a different DVI or D-sub port??

AGD · 24 Jan 2008 at 12:22

I've tried changing the dvi port and it's still not working so I'm currently downloading fedora to give that a try. Wish me luck!

likwid · 24 Jan 2008 at 12:27

What drives do you have, that is ide or sata, optical and hard drives?

AGD · 24 Jan 2008 at 13:14

I've got one sata hd and a sata optical drive.

likwid · 24 Jan 2008 at 15:35

Well, did you try what I suggested?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Host_Controller_Interface

If you are dual booting with xp you'll need to do something like this: http://forum.abit-usa.com/showthread.php?t=133222

If you are dual booting with vista: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922976

Enter bios -> Integrated Peripherals -> Onchip Sata Device -> Select AHCI-> F10 to save and exit BIOS

Allow computer to restart -> Enter BIOS -> Boot order -> Select your model of SATA optical by brand NOT by 'sata drive' eg "LG 6783 DVD..." as first boot device. Watch in wonder as Ubuntu install without a hitch.

AGD · 24 Jan 2008 at 16:46

You can't activate achi mode on the ip35-e. You'll be pleased to know that I am typing this from fedora though which worked perfectly first time!

Just trying to work out how to install the 8800gt drivers...

AndrewP · 24 Jan 2008 at 17:02

Glad you've got it working, Fedora runs well on my P35 too. Careful with the drivers, the 169.07 ones are broken and make the gfx fan run at full speed. Best bet with fedora is through the packages supplied by livna - I think this was the tutorial I followed: http://fedorasolved.org/video-solutions/nvidia-yum-livna. Doesn't look like they have the 169.09 drivers yet though so it might be worth waiting/installing manually.