Can't launch Ubuntu

Mike,

Please have a look at this link: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/WubiGuide

I have never used the Windows-installed Ubuntu, but it appears that it will place an item on the Windows boot list. If the boot list does not appear for you, press F8 after the system's BIOS disappears, and BEFORE the windows logo or the "loading" bar appears. This should bring up your boot choices, and Ubuntu should be listed there.

If you would like to run Windows and Ubuntu at the same time, you may need to install a Virtual Machine on your PC. This will allow Ubuntu to run inside a window within Windows. VMware, Parallels, and VirtualBox all make products to do this. My personal preference under Windows is VMware, and then VirtualBox (which is completely free cost-wise).

Note, however, that running Ubuntu in a Virtual Machine environment is not going to give you the full experience you would get by booting into it "natively". None of the visual effects will work, and having your desktop constrained by the window size is a bit cumbersome.

Good luck!

Dr Dabbles

Sorry for not coming back to you sooner but I have only just picked this up.

My intention was to load Ubuntu as an alternative to Windows, rather than running both at the same time.

Your suggestion did the trick (sort of). Using F8 I was able to load Ubuntu with the orange loading bar. The screen then went blank with a flashing cursor in the top left corner of the screen. It's been doing that for about the last 10 minutes so I suspect it isn't going to load any further. However, I think that is the failing of the limited system machine I am using, more than anything else. I'm quite disappointed as I was looking forward to exploring Ubuntu, further.

I've tried loading on an old (little used) IBM Thinkpad laptop as an experiment, so I think I'll have to try on a better machine. Nevertheless, I shall now know how to do it.

With many thanks for your suggestion and help.

Regards.

Mike

Dr Dabbles

Tried re-loading again this morning and got a little further.Ubuntu started to boot. There were a lot of "OK" messages but I saw a fatal error (I think) relating to IMB Thinkpad, rather confirming my suspicion that the failure is largely due to the laptop system limitations.

Mike,

You could always install Ubuntu onto your hard drive with the Live CD, if you have the space. Ubuntu will automatically shrink your Windows partition and create one for Ubuntu, and will setup everything so you can dual boot. You might have more success this way since AFAIK Wubi has to work through Windows rather than use the hardware directly.

Jamie

Sorry, I'm not quite sure I'm following some of this.

I downloaded the file ubuntu-8.04.1-desktop-i386.iso and then burnt this image to disc which I then loaded into Windows. Is Live CD something different ?

Also, is AFAIK Wubi a different open source OP to Ubuntu ?

Would appreciate any further clarification.

Hi Mike,

Yes, it is different. Take a look at https://help.ubuntu.com/community/GraphicalInstall for details; the difference is that you need to reboot the computer with the CD in the drive to get to the installation screen, then you can follow the instructions at the URL given. Often your computer will prompt you, saying "Press any key to boot from CD," so make sure to do so. If it fails to boot to the CD, take a look at https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BootFromCD .

PS: For clarification, though, it is the same CD, it's just a different method of installing Ubuntu.

Jamie

I've made some progress.

I've now installed Ubuntu on a different laptop, an Acer Aspire with a (new) 100GB hard drive and 1GB of RAM. I've been able to boot up and load along side Windows as Dr Dabbles described above. I've had a few problems, like screen resolution and connecting to my wireless network, which I've been able to resolve (although still sorting out how to connect to my wireless printer). The system is prone to freezing and as far as I can see there is no equivilant to Windows Task Manager to close a non-running program. But, very interesting exploring something different to Windows.

With thanks for your suggestion about the IBM. I've now uninstalled the original Ubuntu and burnt the Live CD you mentioned. I'll probably try installing from that tomorrow.

This is just really an update rather than seeking an answer.

With thanks for your further help.

Regards.

Mike

The equivalent to Task Manager in Ubuntu is found on the System Menu, under Administration | System Monitor. You can, in fact, make this application start when you hit CTRL+ALT+DEL, but traditionally, you should not need it very often. :-)

Thanks.

Still have yet to try the Live CD.

Jamie / Dr Dabbles

I have installed Ubuntu into Windows from the Live CD onto the IBM Thinkpad and re-booted running with the CD in the CD tray as suggested. Sadly, this doesn't make any more progress that my previous attempt.

However, I seem to have got a good install on the Acer Aspire machine so will progress with that and close this question.

I thank you both again for your interest and help.