[Deaf-lug] Ubuntu Won't Work on a laptop

JGJones mailinglist at gwallgofi.com
Wed Feb 27 21:26:28 GMT 2008 

It might be my main system but I don't *own* it so...can't brag about
something that's not mine :( It's just a very nice work laptop - hence
why I run virtual machines ;)


On Wed, 2008-02-27 at 13:00 +0000, Fintan Gaughan wrote:

> If thats not bragging then i don't know what it is :-)
> Fintan
> 
> 
> On 26/02/2008, JGJones <mailinglist at gwallgofi.com> wrote:
> >
> > Ah I see your problem now...
> >
> > It's the Intel graphics - it's *very* well supported in Ubuntu (Intel make open source drivers for them after all) - BUT it use a part of your system memory as its graphics memory.
> >
> > Booting from Live CD chews up memory a lot (since it's not touching your HDD) so this might explain why you're not getting a graphical screen. However since you've ordered 2GB, so as soon as you plug that in, you'll be able to run Ubuntu on that laptop just fine without issues - everything supported (apart from wifi, I don't know which model it is if you have it, but most are getting supported these days now) as you'll have plenty for graphic memory as well.
> >
> > With more memory, all is well. I've got 2GB on my laptop and Ubuntu just flies (although I do have a Core 2 Duo 2.2GHz with 4Mb cache to go with it(!)) - am planning to get 4GB for it (I actually run out of memory a lot - I run a few Virtual Machines on it) and when I do...it's time to upgrade to my first 64bits OS.
> >
> > On Tue, 2008-02-26 at 18:47 +0000, Paul Johnston wrote:
> >
> > 
> >
> > Hi there,
> >
> > The laptop is actually an ordinary one purchased off Dell 2 years ago. No extra hardware or anything like that.  Minimum spec.
> >
> > Memory is 256MB (which is indeed on the low side so I have ordered 2 gig for it) DDR2 SDRAM.  CPU is Celeron M 1.4Ghz.  Graphics is indeed bog standard Intel (915GM/910GML if this means anything to you).
> >
> > I have left my Hardy Heron CD at work so this will have to wait until tomorrow.
> >
> > Cheers,
> >
> > Paul.
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: deaf-lug-bounces at mailman.lug.org.uk [mailto:deaf-lug-bounces at mailman.lug.org.uk]On Behalf Of JGJones
> > Sent: 26 February 2008 17:31
> > To: deaf-lug at mailman.lug.org.uk
> > Subject: Re: [Deaf-lug] Ubuntu Won't Work on a laptop
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Paul
> >
> > IF possible can you give us the hardware specification for the Dell Inspiron 1300 laptop? What CPU, memory, graphics etc?
> >
> > Dell Inspiron are quite well supported in Ubuntu so it's unusual to hear of a live CD not working on a Dell Inspiron, so it's possible you've got one with some funky hardware that Ubuntu sadly doesn't have the drivers for but I really doubt that! :) I'm looking specifically for the graphics bit (which *should* just work - Intel graphics is open source, nvidia and ATi both are well supported with open and closed source drivers, SiS graphics even is supported and even VIA's UniChrome graphics is supported too although not as brilliant)
> >
> > Regarding downloading Hardy Heron - you're right that it's still in beta, however it's passed the feature freeze phase now - meaning that all software version that you'll get with that is frozen at that moment and won't go any further and from this point on it's all just bug-fixing so you'll get increasing stability with it (plus it's to be the LTS (Long Term Support) version as well - which is I think 5 years for desktops?) - no harm in testing that with your laptop - I am going to be upgrading to Hardy myself quite soon too on my primary laptop (I can live with any errors etc during the beta phase and often help with bug-fix testing anyway)
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > On Tue, 2008-02-26 at 09:12 +0000, Paul Johnston wrote:
> > Hi Ben,
> 
> Thanks for this.  The alternate desktop CD does not seem to have the
> demo option?  I would like to try out Ubuntu first before installing
> it on the laptop.
> 
> I have yet to try the CTRL + ALT +F1 or connecting the laptop to an
> exteranl monitor though.
> 
> In the meantime I am downloading the Hardy Heron version of Ubuntu.
> To see if this will work ok on the laptop.  I know this is still a
> beta version but is the final one, so should be relatively bug free.
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> Paul.
> 
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: Ben Fletcher <enlightenedtux at googlemail.com>
> To: deaf-lug at mailman.lug.org.uk
> Sent: Monday, 25 February, 2008 12:38:38 PM
> Subject: Re: [Deaf-lug] Ubuntu Won't Work on a laptop
> 
> re corruption... yes however drivers used on your computer may be
> different to drivers used on your laptop, and one of these drivers for
> laptop (e.g. driver for display) may be corrupted on the CD.
> 
> When you get to the blank screen, does CTRL + ALT + F1 bring you to a
> console prompt?  Asking you for your username and password?
> 
> Have you tried connecting the laptop to some external monitor, and
> using that instead of laptop's screen, for the installation?
> 
> The alternate desktop CD is here:
> 
> http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download
> 
> towards the bottom, you should see a checkbox to tick.
> 
> Rgds, Ben
> 
> 
> On 25/02/2008, Paul Johnston <gingerdeafman at yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
> > Hi Ben,
> >
> >  Thanks for this.  The model is Dell Inspiron 1300 (over 2 years old).
> >
> >  CD corrupted?  I wouldn't have thought so as it works fine on my other PC.
> >
> >  Alternate desktop CD?  News to me.  Where could I get hold of one? (URL).
> >
> >  Cheers,
> >
> >
> >  Paul.
> >
> >
> >
> >  ----- Original Message ----
> >  From: Ben Fletcher <enlightenedtux at googlemail.com>
> >  To: deaf-lug at mailman.lug.org.uk
> >  Sent: Monday, 25 February, 2008 10:40:38 AM
> >  Subject: Re: [Deaf-lug] Ubuntu Won't Work on a laptop
> >
> >  Got name of the laptop model?  Is the CD not corrupted?  How about
> >  giving the alternate desktop CD a try?  It has a text based installer
> >  which may give you a better idea of what the problem is.  When you
> >  download the CD, you can tick a box to ask for the alternate desktop
> >  CD:
> >
> >  "Check here if you need the alternate desktop CD. This CD does not
> >  include the Live CD, instead it uses a text-based installer."
> >
> >  Rgds, Ben
> >
> >  On 25/02/2008, Paul Johnston <gingerdeafman at yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
> >  > Hi again,
> >  >
> >  >  I have created a Ubuntu bootable CD that works fine on my ancient desktop PC but doesn't work on one of our laptops.
> >  >
> >  >  It boots up ok, showing Ubuntu screen with the orange progress indicator bar and then reaches beige screen with mouse pointer which can be moved.  Just that blank beige screen, no "swirly" desktop image or task bar. Any ideas?  256MB not enough perhaps?
> >  >
> >  >  Cheers,
> >  >
> >  >  Paul.
> >  >
> >  >
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