Ubuntu Live CD not working

[wedge22]

I am trying to use the Live CD version of Ubuntu but I guess the fact its not working means it will not run on my system?

[Steve B]

define not working

[streetster]

did you burn the ISO as an image (within nero, or whatever you chose to burn it), or did you just put it so its d:\ubuntu.iso ?

you have to burn it as an ISO...

second question, have you set your computer up in the bios to boot from CDROM before HDD?


If its anything more complicated than that then its out of my depth, if you're getting specific error messages maybe directhex can help

[peterb]

did you confirm the MD5 checksum after downloading (to ensure the download wasn't corruptede) and again check the disck after burning the ISO to ensure that the burn has been OK.

[ikonia]

need to hear the definition of not working

[directhex]

need to hear the definition of not working

claiming on income support, and applying for a council house

[wedge22]

ok not working means, it loads up the boot screen and gives me the options but when I select option 1 which is install or run from CD it loads a few kernels and then its a black screen and nothing else happens.

[chrestomanci]

One possibility is you monitor. I have an LCD monitor that does not like the low refresh rate used in text mode during initial boot-up. For me it is not a problem as my system is configured to go to a windows style desktop with a much higher refresh rate. The problem is that the Ubuntu live CD will ask you a bunch of questions in text mode before going to a desktop, so if you can't see those questions you think it is broken.

Another possibility is that your have a very new chipset that Ubuntu does not support yet. I know that Linux did not get support for the lintel 865, i35 or G33 chipsets until very recently. A live CD would get as far as loading the Linux kernel, but then that kernel would not have a driver for the IDE or SATA devices so it would not be able to find and files to do the rest of the boot.

Another

My solution (to both problems) would be to try using the latest version of Knoppix that supports the latest chipsets, and will go to a desktop automatically. If that works, then you can investigate further.

[ikonia]

what video card are you using. An ATI by any chance.

[MSIC]

Am wondering if it's worth trying either the text-based install version, or even something like Xubuntu?

[wedge22]

I am using a 8800GTS but I also think it may be my monitor causing the issue. I do not want to install it I was just wanting to try out the live cd feature, as I am planning on using it in my new HTPC build using an old Shuttle SK41G.

[ikonia]

ahhh ok. 8800.

The driver on the CD doesn't support this card by default but that shouldn't stop it booting.

As mentioned above you could try the text based (alternative cd image) just to make sure its jsut a graphical problem rather than a machine hang been hidden by a graphics problem.

[wedge22]

Ok I have the other image, will it still let me try it as a Live CD?

[directhex]

Ok I have the other image, will it still let me try it as a Live CD?

no.

at which point does the screen go black - do you see the ubuntu splash screen (http://www.zdnet.com.au/shared/image...bootscreen.gif typically without text these days) or not?

[wedge22]

I do not see the splash screen, only the first screen with the options on it.

[directhex]

I do not see the splash screen, only the first screen with the options on it.

okay. on that screen, press a key (F4 i think, it's listed at the bottom of the screen as 'vga') to pick a resolution for the splash screen to use. pick whatever sounds correct for your monitor. at the very least that should cause SOMETHING to happen differently. or if you can edit the selected option somehow (my memory of isolinux capabilities is poor) then try to do so, and remove the word "splash" from the boot command