Ubuntu

Install Ubuntu 9.10 on Solo 9500

Asked by Randy_C

I'm trying to install Ubuntu 9.10 on a Gateway Solo 9500 laptop. When the machine boots it gets to a certain point and the power cuts off. The next time it boots it displays a Grub menu asking me what to start. Either OS selection will cause the power to pop off. From past experience I know I have to blacklist an Intel driver. After much fussing around I finally got the blacklist entry installed.

Now the computer boots to a command prompt. The GUI is nonexistent. How go I get the machine to boot the GUI? If I have to reinstall the OS how do I get the blacklist entry installed before the next reboot?

I would like to add a 5 second timeout to the /boot/grub/menu.lst file but that file is gone on the hard drive. Is the operating parameter still being used?

Question information

Language:
English Edit question
Status:
Solved
For:
Ubuntu Edit question
Assignee:
No assignee Edit question
Solved by:
Randy_C
Solved:
Last query:
Last reply:
Revision history for this message
actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#1

Are you trying to do a fresh install of karmic? Is there a current install on the system?

If you boot the laptop but with the battery disconnected but running on mains is it ok?

Revision history for this message
Randy_C (rwcarter-wa) said : 		#2

This machine had a bad copy of WinXP on it. I told the installer to use the entire machine for Linux. I'm doing a complete fresh install. I need this machine running ASAP.

Revision history for this message
actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#3

Awesome hit dude, that pretty much clears up all the questions I need except two:

did you MD5 test the ISO you downloaded?
are you installing with CD or uSB?

Thanks

Revision history for this message
Randy_C (rwcarter-wa) said : 		#4

I'm using the internal CD drive. I haven't tested the the disk for integrity.

Revision history for this message
actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#5

Thats fine, ok you can try disabling some hardware in BIOS for the duration of the install and / or try some boot options:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BootOptions

Revision history for this message
Randy_C (rwcarter-wa) said : 		#6

I fixed the problem by installing Ubuntu 10.04. Worked first shot! I didn't even have to worry about the Intel driver that has to blacklisted in order for the machine to boot. Now I have to figure out how to fix the display resolution, it wont go any higher than 800x600. Thanks for your help.