[Gloucs] Problem with Ubuntu live

[Paul Broadhead]

"Steve Greig" <steve at stevespages.org.uk> wrote:

> I am running Windows XP on a lap top and wanted to give Ubuntu live
> version a go.
> 
> I just downloaded the ubuntu live cd and transferred it to a CD and
> then (leaving it in the drive) rebooted the computer. As it started I
> pressed F12 and got to a menu where I choose the option to boot from
> the CD/DVD drive. To my surprise it just booted up into Windows XP as
> normal. The file I downloaded was called: ubuntu-5.04-live-i386.iso
> 
> I was wondering if anyone had any ideas how I can get it to work. I
> was hoping to go on and get the install version and then dual boot the
> computer with XP and Ubuntu.

Sorry if I ask obvious questions, don't be offended please :)

I presume you burned the CD as an ISO image, not just copied the ISO
file onto the disk.  I don't know what the terminology use on XP would
be.  From XP, try to view the contents of the CD using your normal file
manager, if you can see the .iso file then you have not burnt the CD as
an ISO image.  If the disk has ubuntu in the label name and the contents
are many files then you have burned the CD correctly and it should work.
You can even install windows version of some of the apps like Open
Office, the Gimp (graphic image manipulation program) and so on from a
application browser that auto starts from the CD.

If the CD looks OK then it may be the way you are setting the laptop to
boot.  I'm not familiar with your F12 menu, I presume its something
specific to your laptop.  The kit I play with usually has to be changed
in the BIOS configuration to attempt to boot from the CD/DVD drive
before trying the hard disk.

Hope this helps,
Paul