Ubuntu

Can't install on Acer Travelmate 351TEV - external DVDROM drive, no onboard

Asked by Grantley

I have an old Acer Travelmate and I wanted to install Ubuntu on it. It seems that because the CD drive (combined DVD and floppy to be precise - Easylink drive) is external, after the reboot to start the installation the drive no longer works and the machine hangs. I can't do a boot from USB as Acer's BIOS does not allow this (documented elsewhere). Am I stuffed or are there other options? (I have already considered the get another drive, use another laptop for the install, and transfer it - this really isn't practical).

I also have an old Dell Latitude CPX (P3 750mhz I think with 512ram), will this install and run Ubuntu faster than Windows XP (which runs like junk on it)? (internal cd drive this time)

Thx.

Question information

Language:
English Edit question
Status:
Answered
For:
Ubuntu Edit question
Assignee:
No assignee Edit question
Last query:
Last reply:
Revision history for this message
Charles Profitt (cprofitt) said : 		#1

A) Is there an updated bios for the Acer? It is hard for me to believe that it does not allow a boot from USB. I would not try transferring the drive. What version is your Travelmate?

B) A Dell Latitude with a 750mhz processor and 512mb of ram will run Ubuntu better than XP SP2/3. You may want to try Xubuntu to gain some extra speed.

Revision history for this message
Grantley (gsmith-tgo) said : 		#2

Its a Travelmate 351TEV. The last BIOS release was in 2001 and does not support booting from USB.

The Latitude I'll try this weekend. I'm new to all this, looking for alternatives for all the machines in the house actually. The rest are desktops and newer, the Acer I was hoping to be my test machine - disappointed it isn't going to be able to run it or so it seems.

The Dell has a DLink wireless card in it, and is primarily used to play mpeg and avi videos through my projector. If I get Xubuntu, will I need to download a media player or codecs do you know?

Thanks for the advice so far, appreciate you taking the time.
G

Revision history for this message
Charles Profitt (cprofitt) said : 		#3

Thanks for the details on the model...

I just want to ensure some more understanding...

You are able to use the combo drive to boot in to Ubuntu using a live CD... but the install fails?

or

Are you unable to boot in to the Ubuntu live CD?

I ask because it looks like the combo drive should function based on the instructions for 'recovery' - http://www.acersupport.com/notebook/articles/tm350_cpr_nb.html

To play the mpeg and avi files you would need to download some of the 'restricted' codecs. I am not sure if movie player is included in Xubuntu or not, but there will be choices in the repositories.

The other potential solution would be to use the alternate install CD -- which I believe allows you to do a net-install... so as long as you can boot with the CD you should be able to get the install completed.

Revision history for this message
Grantley (gsmith-tgo) said : 		#4

Thank you for the support assistance!
One the Acer I can boot into the CD, but the first thing it does if you hit install or Live is restart as far as I can tell. When it restarts there is no response from the CD drive whatsoever (the eject button doesn't even do anything) or from the keyboard, the screen sits there backlit but empty.
Tonight I will try booting it from a Windows install CD though, see if the problem is specific to Ubuntu or more general in nature.
Cheers, G

Revision history for this message
Charles Profitt (cprofitt) said : 		#5

When you select install it should not reboot... perhaps it is just going 'black' screen on you...

I would hit F6 and then remove both quiet and splash from the end of the boot options line... That will allow you to see all the boot messages.

If you download and use the alternate install CD you should also not have this issue... the alternate install might be the best method.

http://mirror.csclub.uwaterloo.ca/ubuntu-releases/hardy/

Look on the page for the alternate install.

Can you help with this problem?

Provide an answer of your own, or ask Grantley for more information if necessary.

To post a message you must log in.